Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-08-31

Chicago, Aug. pa fire, which in
extent OF territory covered, is the larg-
est known in this city for many years,
began in that portion known as South
Chicago about o'clock this afternoon
and before brought under control had
destroyed over 200 buildings, mostly
frame residences, occupied by working
men, and rendered many hundreds of
people homeless.
The fire started in the three story
brick building at the corner of Ninety
first street and Superior avenue, oc-
cupied as residence by William GILES.
1t was caused by his daughter, who ac-
cidentally upset a lamp while hea ting
a hair curling iron.
From there it grew rapidly in volume
famed by Il gale from the west. and
the flames ate their way over block
after block Of small frame residences
until it reached the lake
Within two hours after the fire
started it had consumed at least five
Blocks of the great industrial section
of the city.
city were in a panic second only to
the one which characterized the great
fire. AS the pine structures in which
lived workingmen employed in various
mills were levelled by the roaring
flames those whose homes had not yet
fallen fled with their goods and portable
chatels.
The streets were blockaded with wag-
ons containing the effects of the fright
ened people and men, women and
children fed in all directions
Before the few engines in the district
could make the slightest impression
upon the flames they bounded eastward
between Ninetieth and Ninety first
streets in the direction of the lake
soon the First Methodist and German
Lutheran churches succumbed. Hardly
had these structures gone than the fire
was seen to be blazing in a dozen
places farther east. Twenty-Five en-
gines were started down from the main
portion of the city as soon as possible
The largest fire boat, Yosemite, was
mile trip to the burning section.
Before it reached the harbor at South
Chicago the fire had eaten away five
blocks between Superior avenue and
the lake, and the Yosemite turned its
attention to the immense lumber yard
on the river front.
The fire sprang from the ruins of
Giles house to the cottage adjoining
on the west. The brands were carried
to the building at the corner of Buffalo
avenue and Nirety-frst street, one
square further west, which soon started
to blaze, spreading north and south on
Buffalo avenue, while the original fire
ragged along Ninety-first street and
Superior avenue, soon becoming a per
feet tornado of fame.
One dwelling after another went with
fearful rapidity, and after the
churches named above had been de-
stroyed it was seen that the fire must
spread to the docks from whichsit was
anXiously desired to keep it.
The fears of the firemen were well
founded and before dozens of the en-
gines had made much Roadway the
immense docks of the Sundy Greek Coal
company were burning. Over 100000
tons of coal We're stored in these i'm
mense bins and the fire boat brought
to bear all it's powerful streams in
an endeavor to head off the flames.
A few minutes later, however, A. r.
Beck's lumber yards We're seen to be
burning and now the real great battle
of the firemen with the flames began,
for they had only by this time sue
ceeded in concentrating a sufficient
number of engines to begin to make
impression.
Shortly after o'clock the fire was
under control. Most of the buildings
destroyed were light frame affairs and
occupied almost exclusively by work
men of the Illinois Steel company.
A conservative estimate puts the ag-
gregate loss in the residence district
at 100000. The. Sunday Greek Coal
company's loss will be S250,O0O, and
the Peck Lumber company's 100000.
The number of people who are home
less is variously estimated at from
four to five thousand. No lives were
lost Other citizens of South Chicago
rallied to relieve the homeless at once
and houses We're thrown open in all
directions to the sufferers.