Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-07-17
Chtcaxo,s second Burnin<.


The Chicago Inter ocean of W ednesdsy morn
ing prefsces its detailed account OF the fire a.
follows:
That Chicago is not a charred, blsckened,
total ruin this morning is Irovidential alone. IL
was not the precautions of builders; IL was no.
the vigilance OF the fire marshal; it was not the
efforts Of the fire brigade that saved US from
once more sitting detected and despairing amid
the ashes of a general ana all sweeping desOla.
ton. We have at last had il demo Dstrated tn Il
cur buildings are but toy-shops, our boasted tire
department. but the sport of the flames-both
poweTless to stay confagration as a straw ~
ste m the flow OF Niagara. Ii is sad hat Chicago,
so crowded witt affection, should be called upon
10 undergo this trial, but we may lift our voices
IL Thanksgiving this morning thai we have a roo"
al owe our heads, and the calamity no greater.
Yesterday afternoon DIRE broke out in a rag
shop near 18th street. The flames spread rap
idly, but no general alarm was felt until several
hours later. At p. m, however, crowds be
gan to gather, and il was soon rumored through
the business streets of the South Side that tue
fire was beyond the control of the department,
and was fast making its way northward. By
p. m. the alarm became general and the streets
began to be crowded with vehicles filed with
goods moved from the vicinity of the fire. The
excitement increased, until State street, Wa
bash and Michigan avenues, together with the
streets running at right angles to these, pre-
sented the appearance which marked them in
tie early part of the great fire of 1871. The
long lines of State street cars were crowded
on the track between Lake street and Madi-
son, cut Off from travel and compelled TO
remain stationary. Every car and stage from
INC WEI Sluc came io8ueU down Win peo-
pie, until the streets from Lake away up
TO Congress street were literally packed with
human beings. And still the flames swept on.
Ii seemed that nothing could stay them. They
licked up the brick and wooden buildings above
Harrison, on State street, crossed to the marble
fronts on Wabash avenue, destroyed the post.
ofhce building, and from there greedily worked
their way downward TO Congress street. On
the northwest corner OF Congress stood the
Adelpht Theater; on the northeast corner the
fine buildings known as the Inter Oceanic
Block. The tbeater endured the intense heat
for some time, but finally the fire crept up the
roof. ran up the ag-staff, huge volume OF
smoke poured forth from the windows, and
then gigantic eea OF fame burst forth from
every quarter, envel0ping the entire structure
IL was later when the opposite block caught
fire. 1t seemed for a while il would escape. A
couple OF brave men could be seen on the roof
nghuDg calamity TO save it, but at last the
hTe drove them back. the huge building smoked
and cracked, and at last with the fire burst
ing from every point they were forced to retire.
On State the flames crept steadily onward to
the st. James hotel, and soon this fine building
was in ruins. By this tine the alarm had
become SO general that the large stores on State
and Dearborn streets and Wabash and Michigan
avenues began packing their goods. AS far
down as Lake, on these streets, and on Monroe,
Madison, Washington and Randolph streets.
crowds OF drays and wagons were being rapidly
loaded. Field, Letter & Co.'s great dry goods
house was surrounded with teams, and immune
rable boxes were scattered in front of the build
ing. The goods were being hastily packed and
removed to a more secure locality, and this
example was followed by other dry goods stores
grocery houses, boot and shoe establishments,
loaded vehicles. The panic reached even the
far-famed fre-proof Palmer House, and guests
were packing their baggage and hurriedly
leaving the hotel.