The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-10-13

burned over IN tue OOutu Divisiou Su-
braces every hing from the main branch
of the Chicago River to the lake, EN-.
bracipg sbou. 100 blocks, and this dis.
trict contained all the business houses,
the banks, insurance Offices, hotels, a
large number of churches, incluuing St.
Mary's, (Catholic), St. Trinity, the
First Presbyterian, the Second Presby.
teriau, st. Paul, the edenborgian, etc
The Methodist Church on the corner of
Wabash avenue and Congress street is
saved. The Michigan Avenue Hotel on
the corner Ct Michigan avenue aud Con.
gress street, and Congress Hall, directly
adjoining on Congress street, are saved.
Michigan terrace, on Michigan avenue,
embracing the residences of Ex.Gov.
crner Bross, the Hoo. John Scammon,
S. @. Griggs, Peter l.. Ross, and other
leading citizens are completely destroyed
with the furniture and nearly all other
contents. All the newspaper establish
ments are totally wiped out. The IriJ-
une building resisted the fire for several
hours, bu: finally yielded, when Nc.
Vickers Theater, Immediately adjoining
which had also withstood the raging
element, finally succumbed. Ia fact all
buildings 10 the district, which claimed
to be fire proof, shared the fate CT those
which could make no suoh claim The
great Central depot at the foot of Lake
street become heap of ruins about 0
o'clock. Most of the passenger cars of
the Michigan Central, Burlington and
Quincy, and Illinois Central Railroads
were moved on the breakuater and
snved. West Of Clark street in the
South Division, the fire extended south
as far as Polk street, sweeping every
thing before it. The distance burned
over here is some three blocks wide and
over bali a mile in length, numbering
about 20 blocks. The buildings we're
generally of the cheaper character, en-
braciug saloons, small shops, poor resi-
deuces, etc The district burned over
on the west commences on Taylor street
running from Dekover to Jefferson 1t
ran thence four or five blocks north and
then moved diagopally toward the river,
and fsally the west line was established
on Clinton street, and reaching thence
to the river it moved 10 this line north
ward, until it reached the northwes tern
West Side depots, where it stopped,
distance of nearly two miles from where
it started. The Fort Wayne and Gin.
cinnati aud Chicago and Sc. Louis
depots, were 10 this territory, and are
wiped out. Almost the entire North
ern Division from the main branch of
the Chicago river 10 Lincoln Park,
nearly two miles in length and one mile
wide, is completely destroyed, including
the water-w orks, large number of eie'
giant churches, etc. This district EN-
braces almost the entire business por.
tioo of the city. South Of Harrison
street, ia the Southern Division, and
reaching out mauy miles, and covered
almost entirely with dwellings, composed
largely Of the more elegant class, is
untouched and may pow be regarded as
safe from injury. For miles and miles
10 every direction, the sidewalks, lawns.
vacant lots aud front yards of dwellings
are filled with people who have escaped
from these burning dwellings, taking
with them only scanty amount of fur.
uiture and clothing. The sight is truly
pitiful and narrowing. They must re-.
ceive immediate relief or many will die
from exposure and s'ar7a'loD As
stated in my previous dispatch, it Is
utterly impossible to form au approx.
mate estimate of the entire loss but it
can scarcely fal! below 800 100000.
OF course but small fraction of this
can be realized by insurance.
Gen. Sheridan has to-day telegrnphed
to st. Louis. to the Missouri Depart
ment there to send at once 100000
ratious. Mayor Mason has issued a
Proclamation calling a meeting tonight
OF tue West Division to see what the
c.lizens eau do for the relief OF the suf
t.rers, that at .easr number 100000,
Who know not where they can get
,.rouoh r,rovisions TO satisfy their hun.