Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-01-25
FROM CHICAGO.
Correspondence 0 + the LEDGER

CHICAGO, January 22.-Well, your
correspondent is ON deck again, after
standing for a while on the banks of
the dark river. New years night he
got benighted in the dreadful storm
and terrible cold, and was frozen and
chilled SO badly as to place his exist
ence in precarious situation. But it
is all over now, and there is no use
occupying space relating his sufferings.
He will merely state that his pen
hand is materially injured, may be
for the balance of his existence while
on the other hand, his ears and left
foot are o. X. once more, after being
frozen black and sore. 1t was a ter
rible night, and several were frozen to
death, while numbers were severely
injured. | felt myself freezing on the
street cars. Knowing the sensation |
got off, and started to walk to keep up
the circulation of the blood. | only
went half a block when | had to sit
down. was freezing gradully all
over and knew it, still had not power
to arouse from the deadly stupor | was
falling into | will here state that one
is overcome by a sleepy feeling when
the freezing process commences. For
tunately policeman came along and
| told him my conditien. He imme-
diately "sounded" for assistance, and |
was saved. But | had hard siege
of it.
My sickness has lost the LEDGER
many an interesting item The post
office fire was one of these. 1t was
one of the most dramatic affairs that
Chicago has witnessed since the fire of
1871, and the wonder is that it was
not terrible tragedy. The ringing of
the fire bells, the hurrying to and fro
of excited spectators, the putting and
blowing Of the steam engines, the run
ming up fire escapes, the steady climb
ing up the ladders by the truly brave
6remen, the splashing of the falling
waters upon the fire, the roar and
crackle of the red and glaring demon,
the rolling smoke wrapping itself
about the apex Of the majestic struc-
ture, the cries of those at the upper
windows (cut off from escape by the
hames) fer assistance, the "oh oh
my God y of the excited and horror
stricken sea of human beings looking
on the heroic efforts of the fremen to
rescue those so fearfully imperilled.
made the scene so dramatic that it
will never be banisEed from the
minds of those who 4 witnessed it.
The postofice building was the Ho-
mare block, situated on the corner of
south Dearborn and Adams streets.
1t was a magnificent pile, seven stories
high, and made one-quarter Of large
block or square. 1t had been occupied
by government officials. lawyers, in
surance men, etc. Although being in
existence some years, it had only been
completed a short time before the fire
iend claimed it as its own. |
will here mention that if it had not
Deen for the use of several private
fire escapes of Potter Palmer. of the
Palmer House, which he loaned for
the occasion, quite a number of valu-
able lives would have been lost. Even
then, if it had not been for the GOODNESS
of the 6remen and the unparalleled
heroism of the impereled, five souls
would have been hurled into the grasp
Of the charring flames. Think of all
this with the thermometer thirty de-
grees below zero, My God, it was
awful.
The Custer massacre commission is
still in session, with the prospect of
long session before it. Up to date |
things look little against General
Reno, who is on trial, charged with |
something like cowardice. But it
looks as though his command was
generally demoralized. And no won.
der, when the red devils were so nu-
merous between Reno and Custer. | |
do not believe anything was left Rono |
to do but save his men by a retreat |
If he had remained, he and his com.
mand, from all appearances, would |
now be with the brave Custer and his
gallant men,
Her Maiesty's Opera Troupe is set
ting fashionable Chicago wild Its
success is immense. Most certainly it
is a splendid gathering together of
first class talent, and deserves the pat
ronage it is attracting.
Business is very dull here, owing to
the very severe weather. Such cold |
snap as commenced New Years night |
and continued for twelve days there.
after, was never known before in this
region. 1t was simply horrible. But
it is moderating now, and business
may look up.
| hope the LEDGER folks and all its |
readers spent happy New Year"
Au revoir. NAYB.