Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-05-09
A MILLION DOLLAR FIRE.
CHICAGO's LUMBER DISTRICT
AGAIN DEVASTATED.

Fears That the Terrible Condagrati"n
1871 Would Be Repeat ed--The Air Futl
of Blazing Embers Which spread the
Fire in Every DirectiOn-Hard work
Saves the City.
CHICAGO, May S.-Shortly after noon
to-day a spark from passing locomotive
engine started fire in the heart OF the
great pine lumber yard district, which
lies along both sides of the south branch
of the Chicago river and near the south
western city limits. Bordering upon
this district are the w0oden-built
portions of the city, known as
Bridgeport, and the Union stock yards,
with its acres of wooden sheds and pens
filed with live stock. A fierce wind was
blowing from the west. and the flames
spread with great rapidity. The entire
fire department was called out, and began
fighting the flames, but the 20 80 streams
of water which could be thrown upon
them had little or no effect, as far as stay
ing their progress was concerned. Dry
pine boards and shingles were piled to
great height, only narrow lanes between
being left for wagons to pass through.
The narrow interstices between the boards
furnished the usual facilities tor the pro-
gress OF the flames, while they broke the
force of the streams of water and prevent
ed it from penetrating the blazing pine IN
the centre of the pile.
FEARS OF A REPETITION OF 1871.
The news of the fire spread rapidly to
the business centre of the city and created
much alarm lest the fire should assume
proportions approaching those of the
great confederation of 1871, which came
from the same direction. Great brands
were carried forward by the wind, setting
fire to new piles, and several ire steamers
and men running them had narrow es-
cape from destruction.
Starting upon the west side OF the river
the flames ate all the lumber between
Thirty-fifth and Thirty-eighth streets, an
area of about 400 by 1000 feet. 1t set fire
to canal boat mOored at the dock and
the boat fOated across the river, which is
1870 feet wide at this point, and set fire to
lumber on the east bank which covered
about an equal area, and this, with one
or two planning mills, was consumed.
Brands were carried eastward and set
fire to several small frame houses occu-
pied by employees in the lumber district.
The fire department, however, made
stand at this point and succeeded in pre-
venting the spread of the flames into the
residence district.
THE FLAMES CONQUERED.
The fight continued through the after
noon, and it was nearly 7 o'clock before
the confiagration was brought under con-
troll, having practically burnt itself out
to the limits of the immediate district in
which it began. A heavy rain during
most of the afternoon was Of material as
sisiance. The entire area burned over is
$40 by 1890 feet. The aggregate of the
lumber destroyed was 100000 feet,
valued at 100000.
The individual losses and assurances
are as follows: Chicago Lumber Com
pany, 23,000,00 feet of lumber, valued at
$500. 600. Insurance 100000.
Bgelow Brothers, 100000 feet of lum-
Der, valued at $4,000. Insurance $780,
600.
Adams, Hastings & Co., 10000 feet of
lumber, valued at $4,000. Insurance
5000
w. Hinckly. planning mill, loss $4,000.
Insurance $4,000.
Five cottages, aggregate loss about
$4,000. Insurance about $1,000.
The insurance on the property, which
was wholly or in part destroyed, aggre-
gates nearly 100000.