The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1872-11-19
SCENES OF THE GREAT FIRE
IN BOSTON.
Awful Grandeur OF the Flames
seen SrOm other Place.
rDiso,tch TO the Now York Herald !

an alarm OF fire was caused by the Bus
ton confsgration, somebody presumn
that the fire was in that city. The fire
was also distinctly visible in Stonington,
NoIthfora, Portsmouth and other places
equally distsnt
From the persistent and rapid pro-
gress OF the awful confagration it be
came apparent at about 9 o'clock that
the Boston fremen were unequal to the
task Of subduing or even checking its
further progress in fact the whole city
seemed doomed, and every citizen be
csme sober and serious. The authori
ties Immediately sent to the neighbcring
cities-Chatlestown, Cambridge and
Chesea--for assistance, ,and in the course
OF al hour the entire ere department OF
these several cities were on the ground
The Ere fend still swept on, ana the
hundreds OF streams which we're poured
on the flames were of no more conee-
quence than single scull wherry would
have beeH to the progress OF Cunard
steamer.
"We must have still more help" said
the Chief Engineer, cor Boston and its
suburbs will be in ruins before morning
kilograms ware then sent to more dis
tant towns and cities, and special trains
were chartered and the right Of way
given for their immediste transportation.
Three steamers from Worcester and the
men belonging to them were in Boston
and at work within fif!yfve minutes af-
ter the call for help reached them. They
came down on special trsin over the
Albany read, and made the forty four
miles In just forty five minutes. Assist
ance was also promptly on hand from
Lowell, Lawrence, Portsmouth, Port
land, Manchester, Providence, Pawtuck.
ct, Stonington and various other of the
cities and larger towns in this section of
New England To say that they all did
gallant service would convey but faint
idea OF the energy and determination
with which they applied themselves to
the rescne. But still the fire 6end swept
on. One, two and three o'clock in the
morning, and the iremen were seeming
! ly more powerless than ever. A fresh
breeze waited over the terrible scene of
destruction, carrying in all directions
sheets of devouring fame and showers
Of burning emhers 1t seemed So if
nothing but deluge from heaven would
stay the progress OF the terrible element.
Some rushed frsntic aud wild through
the streets, some prayed, some mosned,
8 few drunken brutes cursed, but all
showed by their horror-stricken counte-
nances that they keenly appreciated the
horrible and critical situation.
1t was about nine o'clock when there
came the Hrst sense of relief, that the
fremcn might probably save the north
ern and western sections of the city, both
of which had for hours seemed inevita-
bly, doomed to the same fate as the bu.
siness portion This feeling, however,
was not universal. The wind WAS still
blowing fresh, and MANY shook their
heads omiaously and declared that the
whole space, from the wharves to the
Back Bay, and from the South end to
the Chsrlestovn aud Cambridge bridges
would be in ruins before night. No pen
can picture, 30 brain can frame into
thought, the effect that this appalling snd
threatening prospect had upon the peo.
pie,
Every one seemed perfectly frantic
wandering hither and thither in great
crowds, and only adding to the conster.
nation that ragged through the ranks o.
the firemen and about the more immedi.
ate localities Of the raging flames. Mer
chant princes who upon Saturday lock
ed their doors spon immense treasures
now found themselves not only impov
erished, bu. threatened with being made
homeless BY the terrible tiend. Almos
insane, they dew through the excited
masses, but where and what for they
could net tell. All, all was consterns
|tion. The ruined merchants, the impov
erished mechanics, the helpless anc
homeless shop girls, and the thousand:
snd tens of thousands of other repre-
sentativss of society, all united in thu
general mourning OF what had and wha
might come. But the energetic and ex
hausted fremen still kept at work, an(
in the very face of general despai
fought the flames more determined.
than ever.
Between s and 9 o'clock was the mos
critical period in the whole conaagration
The whole of the Fifth Ward had beel
nearly destroyed, and from Summe
street almost down to Milk clean sweel
had been made of everything on tn
east side of Washington street. TIL
old South Church, the famous sanctua
ry Of many generations, on the north
east corner of Washington and Mill
streets, was now the objective point
that succumbed to the furious element
was generally conceded that the who'll
of the north and west ends would fol
low. Thousands watched the old spir
with breathless anxiety, and prayed fer
vently that it might te spared Th
fremen worked with determination, in
spired, it seemed, as ie by heaven, ant
lIOr Su uUuE luulC uOG lCSs thAi III ~
streams poured upon the sncient tsber
nscle and the burning buildings sur
rounding it. Steadily but slowly tn
brave fellows seemed to gain the mas
terry of the fiend, and finally. after hour
of persistent toll, they came out trium
phantly. The old ''South' was saved
and so was half of Boston. Thanks
+ givings mi ngled with tears, and "Go'
bless yon were showered in profusiol
upon the timely saviors. But while thi
battle was being fought the fiery enemy
was making a flank movement in anoth
er direction. Devonshire street, alread,
DESTROYED on both sides from its South
ern extremity clear up to Milk, was nov
being moved away upon the west sid
down to Water street, and threatened t.
be, what subsequently was. one of tn
most disastrous features of the Who'll
confagration. At the same tim
. the flames took q turn up Congres
streat nc for ga Water dO0piDI