Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-10-11
CHICAGO.
THE FIRES BREAK OUT AFRESH!
.fssE s----gs2 eaElssEssE
lncaFnate Fiends at Work.
Two lncendiaries Hung and
Sc Two Shot. sg
500 Persons Burned Alive!
Losses Estimated at Three Hun
dred Millions.
- -.
Fearful Scenes OF Distress.
Ha s -
Fearful Scenes OF Distress.
Fire ON the North Side All Monday
! - NIGHT.

W
of fires on the West Side was looked for,
and change of five degrees in the direction
of the wind at any time would have led to
that result. There would have literally
been no refuge for any. Every one had
their clothing packed, ready to start for the
prairie at any moment, bnt God averted
this last possible addition to our disaster.
El Rain.
At SHUTDOWN the wind ltllled. and at three
O'Clock this morning the rain so fervently
prayed for come. 1t did not rain long, but
the roofs of houses and the ground have
been wet SO that now it is possible to have
fires to cook food for the multitude. A
meeting of citizens was held in the First
Congregational Church, West Washington
street, which was continued throughout the
night. Measures viii be concerted to pro-
tect what property is left, and provide for
the homeless.
Messrs. Richarde & Charles Grains of the
Northwestern Manufacturing Company,
cOntrived plan, which is being put into
execution, for providing water in case of a
fire breaking out any time. The machine
~ of the other works is being used for that
purpose. The engines and boilers are used for
pumping water from the river Fifteen
hundred citizens were sworn in last night
as extra police force, and the Secretary of
War authorized Gen. Sheridan to employ
all available troops for guard and to issue one
hundred thousand ratiOns.
Encarnase FIends Caught Firing
Houses.
Five hundred soldiers are on duty-this
preeaution was necessary, for as remarkable
as it may seem, there were fends who still
sought to extend the disaster. Two men
caught in the act of firing houses on the
west side were seized and Immediately
hung to lamp posts, one ON 18th street near
the river and the other three miles away
on Claiborne Avenue on the north side.
This summary action has checked the
thieves and murderers this morning.
Fire Engines from other Cities.
The arrival Of .firemen and en-
gines from Milwaukee, st. Louis
and other cities has apparently re-
stored confidence. The Cincinnati train
arrived this morning with four engines,
three from that city and one from Dayton.
They were seventeen hours on the way,
having to change route twice. They finally
came via Piqua and Logansport. There
"
these experienced men go right to
work In business way, where work
was most needed. They are playing on
coal piles to save whatever of fuel is posi-
bic and preventing the spread of flame. The
vast plain Is covered with people wandering,
but seeing the evidences of a wealth that
has completely vanished in fame and smoke.
Efforts TO Resume Business-The News
- papers.
A few business men with Some nerve are
seeking houses for business in West Side.
Rooms that rented last week for $50, now
readily command 5000, there are not
many Of these, but enough to afford
nucleus for business. The newspapers
viii be started again in few days or weeks.
Hon. Joseph Medill of the Tribune, who is
one of the heaviest sufferers, succeeded yes
terday in leasing brick budding on Wash
ington street at the tunnel. He also pur-
chased two single cylinder presses used in
job office ON West Side, and has telegraphed
East for paper and type, there being nothing
left here. Mr.. Story of the Times will erect
a rough One-st0ry building and begin the
issue of paper as soon rs material can be
procured. The Journal is provided for on
the west side. The Post, Republican and
Stats Zeittulg will also arrange for bust
ness as soon as practicable, but everything
must come from elsewhere-there is moth
ing left TO form the business. Water for
drinking and household use is procured from
the Lake and parks, and for houses from
the river. There are thousand people
clmped about the artesian well, four miles
out, and perhaps as many more at Lake
VicOr and on Fullerton avenue near Prairie.
The people are being fed in the remaining
churches, schoolbOuses, in sheds and by the
roadsideS.
1t was cold and chilly this morning, caus-
ing great suffering, but it is now clearing
up again, but instead of this being welcome,
the people are praying for more rain, so
fearful are they of continuation of the fire.
This is the situation this morning. Further
information will be sent as rapidly as re-
ceived. Meanwhile we give report of the
fire and its incidents, specially prepared for
the associated press by those who witnessed
and fought the flames throughout:
Details of the Origin and Progress of
the COnfIagration.
Late Sunday evening boy went into a
stable ON DE koven street, near the river,
on West Side, TO milk a COW, carrying with
him kerosene lamp. This was kicked
over by the COW and the burning fluid scat
tered among the straw. This was the be-
ginning Of the great fire. .
A single extinguisher on the ground, or
active work of the police in tearing down
one or two shanties, would have prevented
the spreading of the flames, but the en-
gines were waited for, and when they arrived
the firemen, stupifed by their exer-
tionS at the fire on Saturday night, worked
slowly and clumsily. Their efforts were
unavailable. The wind from. the South
west blew a gale, and rapidly the flames
shot from house to house, and from board
yard to board-yard, until the district burned
before night was reached.
Meanwhile the flames crossed the river
north of Twelfth street on the South Side,
and made for brick and stone business
block, railroad freight depots and manufac-
turing establishments. The full extent
of danger was realized for the first time.
The fire department, already tired out,
worked like heroes. The Mayor and his
city governments that had sIIpinely rested,
now began to exert themselves, but the op-
portlulity had been lost. The time when
thorough organization could have blown up
buildings or prepared for the emergency,
was neglected; it was now fight for life.
The wind blowing stiff gale, took posses
sion of the flames, and beautiful buildings
Chicago's glory-lay before them.
Harrison, Van Buren,, Adams. Monroe,
and Madison were soon reached, the in
tervening blocks from the river TO Dearborn
street on the east, being consumed. Three
quarters Of mil" of brick blocks were CON
,ruEc} a, if hy Ilia &c
business Men Ignorant of the Fire
~ Till Sunday Noon.
1t being Sunday morning the pro-
prietors and employees were at home
utterly unconscious of what was TRANSMITTING.
Those who saw the flames supposed il was
the flames of Saturday nights fire. and hay-
ing confidence in the Fire Department were
unconcerned, but between eleven and
twelve O'Clock rumor got abroad that the
fire was in the business portion of the CITY.
Thenthe people commenced running Horses
were brought into requisition 10 take the pro-
prietors and Others to the CONFEDERATION.
What scene meet their gaze. The Board
Of Trade, Courthouse, Western Union
Telegraph and associated press Offices
and hundreds Of other buildings were all a
Aane-the air was filed with live Goals
which were hurled to the north and east
.-r.rrl sEf up9