Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-10-15
FROM CHICAGO

Correspondence of the Ledger.l
CHICAGO, October 10, 1879. 9.-To-day
eight years ago this city, or the greater
part thereof, was one mass of smoul-
dering ruins, two-thirds of its inhabi-
tants homeless and poyerty-stricken,
and general desolation reigning over
all. The greatest calamity that had
ever overtaken any people had fallen
upon the Garden City, making a
blackened waste of the proud empire
city of the West. Your correspond
ent was an eye witness to it all lie
had arrived few days previous to the
terrible drama from New York on
visit to relatives. Saturday night he
was out at a lecture by George Francis
Train, in Farnwell Hall. During his
discourse Mr.. Train adverted to the
corrupt morals of Chicago and the
nation generally. Especially was he
severe upon Chicago. He predicted
for her the fate of Sodom and Gomor-
rah if she did not reform her ways
Little did either the speaker or his
auditors think that in twelve hours
from the time of his prediction that
prophecy would be partially fulfilled.
Saturday night passed away, carrying
with its events a pretty good sized
fire. Then Sunday passed away until
10 pm. From dark the wind began
to rise until at the hour named a per-
feet hurricane was blowing from the
south. About this time. your corre-
spondent was comfortably seated, pre-
paratory to writing to a Southern
Journal Suddenly the fire. bells rang
out their notes of alarm, Before half
an hour elapsed the " general alarm "
sounded, and soon the whole city was
in confusion. A rap came at the door
of the residence where your CORE
spondent was domiciled, and immedi-
ately after a gentleman rushed in, ex-
claiming that the city was all in flames.
This was Mr.. w. j. Quannon, large
grocer on South Water street. Your
correspondent ran to the door and
looked out. The sight that met his
gaze was simply sublimely grand. The
whole heavens was one mass of fire.
Gazing in the direction of the
river, the vast feet of vessels
c)uld be seen enveloped in fire, max
ing picture startlingly grand
Flame was everywhere, shooting up
the spires of lofty churches turning
itself around costly mansions; oblit
Grating commercial palaces, and max
ing refugees of the high and lowly
alike. The fire king was all power
full, and before his scorching breath
everything withered into blackened and
charred masses. From ten O'Clock
Sunday night until eight Monday
morning the destroying demon held
trightful revel, laying waste hundreds
Of millions Of dollars worth of prop
erty, making homeless and beggars
100000 people, and sacrificing scores
of human lives, None but pen of
impassioned fire, and the brush of a
genius artist could depict the sub
lime horror of those twelve hours in
which the blazing demon reveled as
his fiery chariot few over and annihi-
lated the gem of Western cities.
But all that horror has now passed
away. Phenix-liko, Chicago has risen
from her ashes, and now stands
before the world one of the grandest
cities in the commercial world.
Nothing is left of that dreadful ordeal
save memory, unless it may be few
scattering foot prints not yet cleared
away where the lurid scourge sped on
its destructive mission. To-day one
can hear but slight gossip as to that
memorable 10th of October, 1871.
Somehow, all seem to wish to avoid
allusion to the occurrence, because of
the horrible impression produced by
the heart-rending events of that never
to be forgotten night. Chicago now
is wonder Of a city. Her popula-
ton Is fully half a million, and her
commerce second to no other city on
the continent. Every day she is
growing in size and population, and
the day is not far distant when New
York will have a proud rival in her
Western sister.
Chicago is full Of visitors from all
sections Of the couptry. Among the