, 1880-10-10
"REMINISCENCES OF THE FIRE.

| CHICAGO, Oct 9.-1t is now about year efuce
the Chicago Historical Society preferred re.
quest to its members, and to all others who were
| witnesses Of the great tire, to furnish tho So
] ctety with written narrative OF their own per-
sonal experiences on thar occasion. Application
was made in person, we'll as BY letter, tG Quite
! large number, many Of whom promised faith
fully to write out ali the details ut what they
saw, heard, experienced, and did during that
! great calamity. These promises have only been
| partly fulfilled, aud out Of fifty or more who
made them In apparent gnod faith, but fifteen
hnre as yet complied with the obligation they 80
readily assumed.
1t would seem as 1t It were hardly necessary
to urge upon the public how very desirable 1t is
that all these "reminiscences should be recorded
and preserved. For purpose SO Mudahle and
1Eee from cFerg Selfish taine. one would suppose
that the mere suggestion that such records
would oo desirable would call forth an army Of
volunteers, and secure the ready co5pera ton Of
all who felt at all competent to give an iutel-
hgent history Of the anxious hours they passed
on rhe sih and 9th Of October, ls:l
cares ~ tne narrs OF ,ae day nnd the enEro sstn
the hold which memory has On tue dot nils 0f
tnat SAD experience, and tue more wa clay tho
fatnter will hc the lmprin. they huve left up,n
our minds, save tho one deep Impression burnt
1nto our hearts of an overwhelming disaster
"hich was and Is patent TO IFS aIi.
not only TO those who have promised these at:~
counts. but to all who remember the events and
me a s,$nts @ crowded into the nHrrow corupuss Of
without lelay ali The testin.ny they ou unn Of i,n
great ax5ason. wfnsnt this reiar sas' aaa
Be- only 'faRf'atiSa ERE seconpshcd as ~orS Win VIII
a.. collection can be secured porfectig
unt9uf IN Its character as historical record and
giving 10 our children now growing IN, ind to
those who may succeed us for the many future
years. such pictures Of this crent as will put b,
shame any general history thnt could possibly bo
Among the manuscripts thus far received are
tw.2 from TUTORING men. whose hands. cralnped
their mite for the desired purpose and for tbn
general good: aud surely II they. tired and !
mea1y s Wth sth ths dnss heavy work, nre willing 10
talent, or the facility Of ready writing and ex.
preston would make the task both u cusy and
u pleasant one have no excuse for Withholding :
me contributions they can 50 readily furnish
Each story. told in the simplest way, of events
within the scope Of the ordinary experience Of
aIll hereafter have pointeduess or d charm Of
Ehtch VIC are now unable to form tho slightest
,;nnncepnou Who vii! ensuge III this works
'eady nude and promised?
To those who are not nwure of the disposition
% 9e made OF these little histories it may be
3osited in the archives Of this Chicago Historical
society for reference and preservation. in the
uFe nope and conviction that eacn succeeding
ear Will Eirc additional value and interest "a
eta1led experiences Of sll the anxieties, trials
"a d!scomforts consequent upon that uupar-
lfcled disaster. prctmineat among all other
.vents In the history Of our city.
ANY contributions for this purpose may be
ont to Mr. a. D. Hager. Secretary of the Socte-
:. at the northwest corner Of Ontario street and
Dearborn avenue, or to my Office, No III Dear
orn street. TITS dsfrabie that the ordinary |
luarp letter sheet should he used In writing up
lese accounts. and Il margin Of about three
11lfTnE fffr Fxt7FYt In .{fS1n
GEORGE " H1GGlSsoS.
|