The source of this uncorrected OCR text may be viewed in the DjVu format at: http://fax.libs.uga.edu/F548x42xS539g/ or http://purl.galileo.usg.edu/ugafax/F548x42xS539g/ THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION./ CHICAGO; ITS PAST, PRESENT AM) FUTURE. EMBEACING A DETAILED NAERATIVE OF THE OEBAT CONFLAGEATION IH THE NOETH, SOUTH, AND WEST DIVISIONS: ORIGIN, PROGRESS AND RESULTS OF THE FIEE, PEOMLNENT BUILDINGS BUENED, CHAEACTEE OF BUILDINGS, LOSSES AND INSURANCE, OEAPHIC DESCEIPTIOH OF THE FLAMES, SCENES AND INCIDENTS, LOSS OF LIFE, THE FLIGHT OF THE PEOPLE. ALSO, A CONDENSED HISTOET OF CHICAGO, ITS POPULATION, GEOWTH AND GEEAT PUBLIC WOEKS. AND A STATEMENT OF ALL THE GREAT FIRES OF THE WORLD. BY JAMES W. SHEAHAN AND GEOKGE P. UPTON, ASSOCIATE EDITORS OP THE CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE. WITH NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS. UNION PUBLISHING CO.: 165 TWENTY-SECOND STREET, CHICAGO, ILLS. 26 S. SEVENTH ST., PHILADELPHIA, PA. 1871. 's / Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871, by E. s. DEGOLYER, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. PREFACE. THIS volume is devoted to a connected account of the great Chicago conflagration, with an incidental narrative of the destruction caused by the terrible forest fires in Wisconsin and Michigan, and a neces sarily brief statement of the great fires of the world, which may serve for purposes of comparison. It is the account of witnesses of, and actors in the terrible scenes that closed with the destruction of a great city. No person saw the whole, or even any con siderable part of the fire field. It was too mighty and vast. We have sought to comprehend in our ac count all that is vital to an intelligent conception of the origin and progress of the fire, and the condition of the city, both before and afterwards ; and in so doing to make the work valuable as a book of refer ence. With this end in view, it is compiled as a condensed statement of the commercial and industual resources of the city, its private enterprises and great (3) 4 PREFACE. public improvements, and the record of its marvellous growth. The work opens with the very beginning of the fire and follows it, street by street, along its terri ble path of devastation; describes the prominent buildings consumed ; the thrilling, heroic and even humorous scenes in the streets, during the fire, and gives careful estimates of the losses, somewhat in de tail, and a statement of insurance from official sources. The operations of the Relief Society are touched upon sufficiently to give the reader a general idea of the manner, in which charity has been disbursed. The losses in churches, schools, and institutions of music, art and amusement, as well as the public libraries, are also dwelt upon somewhat at length. In order to arrive at official reports as far as possible, the pages of the book have been held open to the latest possible moment, and thus much valuable matter has been secured. Liberal space has also been given to the narrative of the Northwestern fires, the great fires' of the world, and the work of rebuilding the city. With this preliminary state ment the authors give their work to the public. CHICAGO, December 1, 1871. CHICAGO IN 1818. CHICAGO IN 1871. View from City Hali, ¡coking south and southeast, CITY HALL before the fire. CITY HALL after the fire. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE before the fire. DRAKE AND FAR WELL BLOCK, Wabash avenue, before the fire, FIELD, LEITER & Co!'S BUILDING before the fire. VIEW OF THE RUINS from Harrison street, north on Wabash avenue. VIEW ON CLARK STREET, south from Washington, before the fire. .TRIBUNE BUILDING before the fire. ILLINOIS & MICHIGAN CENTRAL R. R. DEPOT before the fire. ILLINOIS & MICHIGAN CENTRAL R. R. DEPOT after the fire. BOOKSELLERS' ROW, State street, before the fire. SHERMAN HOUSE before the fire. UNITY (Mr. Coliyer's) AND NEW ENGLAND CHURCHES befcre the fire. CHICAGO CITY WATER WORKS before the fire. PALMER HOUSE, State street, before the fire. (5) O ILLUSTRATIONS. SHEPHARD BLOCK, Dearborn street. PALMER HOUSE, State street, after the fire. RUSH MEDICAL COLLEGE after the fire. SAND'S BREWERY after the fire. ILLINOIS CENTRAL R. R. LAND DEPARTMENT after the fire. PACIFIC HOTEL after the fire. BIGELOW HOUSE after the fire. ST. JAMES CHURCH after the fire. FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, South side, after the fire. SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH after the fire. UNITY (Mr. Collyer's) CHURCH after the fire. NEW ENGLAND CHURCH after the fire. CHURCH OF THE HOLY NAME, CATHOLIC, after the fire. MICHIGAN SOUTHERN DEPOT after the fire. OGDE.N'S RESIDENCE, only residence left on North Division of burned district METHODIST CHURCH BLOCK after the fire. ST. PAUL'S CHUECH (UNIVERSALIST,) after the fire. ST. JOSEPH'S PRIORY (GERMAN CATHOLIC,) after the fire. WHERE THE FIRE BEGAN. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND COURT HOUSE after the fire. POST OFFICE AND CUSTOM HOUSE after the fire. CROSBY'S DISTILLERY after the fire. FIRST NATIONAL BANK after the fire. REPUBLIC LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY after the fire MASONIC TEMPLE, Dearborn street, after the fire. DESTRUCTION OF THE CENTRAL ELEVATOR, at the mouth of Chicago river. THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION as it appeared from the prairie. DIAGRAM, showing the origin of the fire, and situation of the most prominenf buildings destroyed. A COMPLETE MAP OF CHICAGO, showing the burned and unburned districts. CONTENTS. Chicago as it Was Situation — Plan of the City-rindian Trading Post — Gen. Wayne's Treaty— First Land Sale— First Settlement in Chicago — Pioneer Settlers — Mission Church and School — Village Taverns and Cabins — Fort Dearborn — Land Grants and Public Improvements — " Town of Chicago " Laid Out — The Beginning of Chicago— Growth of the Town — The City of Chicago Incorporated, 1837 — Increase of population till 1871 — How the City was built — Improve ments, &c., &c. • The Water WorJos The Old Water Works, 1839— The Second Works, 1853— Plan and Capacity of Works— The Drainage— Defective and Obnoxious System— The New Water Works— The Great Tunnel under the Lake — Description of the Works — Water supplied through the Tuuuel in 1867— General Enlargement of the Works — Capacity of the Works — Water Supply — Another Tunnel Contemplated — Cost of the Works — Character of Machinery . . . Sewerage Total Length of 29 The Streets Total Length — Pavements — Wooden — McAdam — Boul ders—Cinders — Gravel 39 39 (7) 8 Gas CONTENTS. How the City was Supplied—" Chicago Gas aud Coke Company"—" Peoples'Gas Company ". . 39 Bridges and Tunnels Pivot Bridges, Connecting Divisions of the City—Wash ington Street Tunnel—La Salle Street Tunnel . . 40 Hiver and Canal Character of the River—Its Uses—A Nuisance Trans formed into a Blessing—The Current of the River Reversed—The Water of Lake Michigan flowing "up the Chicago River," at an expense of $3.750,000 ... 40 Chamber of Commerce Building Erected, 1864—Description of Edifice—Board of Trade . 42 The Grain Market Beginning and Growth of—Shipments of Wheat—Corn and other Grains . 42 Elevators Number and Capacity of . 44 Cattle Yards Area of—General Description of—Cattle Trade—Receipts and Shipments of Cattle, Sheep and Hogs . 44 Lumber Trade .Magnitude of e 45 Trade Exhibit, for 1870 Lake Commerce Number and Character of Vessels engaged in . • 46 Railroads Number of—Miles of Track—Trains Arriving and Depart- ing Daily . 43 CONTENTS. Taxable Property Amount of City Debt Amount and Character of—Limited Manufactures Value of . Banks Number of—Aggregate Capital . 47 . 47 . 47 . 47 Post Office Third in business in the Country—Description of Build ing—Government Offices . . .48 The Court House The Building—Location, extent and use of . .48 The Police Number of . 40 l?ire Department How Organized—Number of Engines—Other Machines . 49 Population Population by Wards for 1870 and 1871—Extent of De struction in each Ward—The Character of Improvements in the several Wards—Description of Streets and Edifices —Churches, Halls and other Buildings . . .50 Parks and Boulevards Lincoln Park—Location, Extent and Plan of—Humboldt Park—Central Park—Douglas Park—North Park—South Park . . 67 Business of Chicago Statement from the Tribune—Growth of Trade—Direct Importation—Bonded Warehouses—Tea Trade . 59 10 CONTENTS. THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION. Fire of Saturday Where and when the Fire began—How it Spread—What was Destroyed—The Ruins—The Loss . . . .63 Fire of Sunday in the West Division The Alarm—The Fire, its Origin and Spread—The Gale— The Fire Line—The Firemen—Struggle against the Fire- Fiend—Course of the Fire—Progress of the Fire—The air filled with Brands—160 Acres in Flames before Mid night—The Fire Leaps Across the River—It Rushed as in a Field of Snow—Sublime—Terrific—Appalling—The Field of Destruction - . 64 The South Division A Fiery Messenger at Midnight—Spread of the Fire in South Division—Flight of the Inhabitants—Showers of Coals and Fiie Brands—Flames Leaping from Roof to Roof—Great Hotels, Great Blocks of Business Houses —Court House, Churches, Public Halls and Private Resi dences Wrapped in Flame . . 73 Prominent Buildings Depots—Hotels—Banks—Opera Houses—Theaters—Mu seums—Churches—Art Buildings—Chamber of Commerce —Court House—Custom House and Post Office. . 80 Scenes from the Tribune Office A Turning Point Workings of the Fire Tornado of Flame—Sheets of Fire—Showers of Cinders— Billows of Smoke—White Heat—Steady Roar of advanc ing Flame, the Carnival of Fire and the Howl of the Blast—Destructive Power of the Fire. . 85 CONTENTS. 11 Street' Scenes How the Fire Affected Men—Mobs of Men, Women and Children rushing wildly through the Streets—Efforts to Save Goods—Efforts to Save Valuables—Efforts to Save Life—Destruction of Liquor—Men and Boys reeling through the Streets to Destruction. . . .88 Character of Buildings Tribune Building—Crosby Opera House—McVicker's Theatre—Farwell Hall—Young Men's Christian Associa tion—Academy of Design—Academy of Sciences—Busi- Houses, &c. . . 93 Fire in the North Division Course of the Fire in the North Division—The Court House—The Sherman House—No More Efforts to Arrest The Flames—The City Conquered by the Fire Fiend- Destruction Complete. . 105 Flight of the People The Inhabitants Driven from Place to Place—Refuge in the Lake—In the Great Parks—On the Plains—Aged, Infirm, Sick and Dying Fleeing for Life—Perilous Escapes. . . . Ill Intense Heat Complete Combustion—Wood, Iron and Stone alike Consumed. . . 119 'Losses and Insurance List of Losses and Amounts of Insurance—Buildings and Stores—Churches. . . 124 Insurance Companies Losses of Companies by States—New York Companies— Rhode Island Companies^-Connecticut Companies— Massachusetts Companies—Ohio Companies—Aggregate. 129 12 CONTENTS. Destruction of Property Sidewalks Destroyed Churches Burnt Episcopal— Presbyterian — Congregational — Baptist— Methodist—Unitarian—Roman Catholic—Universalist. . 135 Value of Goods Destroyed Ale Breweries The Newspapers The Principal Buildings Destroyed Complete of noted Buildings, public and private de stroyed—Hotels—Churches—Theatres—Banks—Savings Banks—Railway Stations. . . 146 The Fine Arts Losses in Literature—Art—Music and the Drama— Libraries—and Art Galleries destroyed—Places of Amuse ment—Young Mens" Christian Association Library— The Florists. . .152 Statement of the Fire Marshal The Fire Marshal Interviewed—What be said of the fire. 160 Statement of the Assistant Fire Marshal The Patrol Duties Incidents and Scenes. . 171 Proclamations The Governor of Illinois—The Governor of Wisconsin— The Governor of Michigan—The Governor of Iowa—The Governor of Ohio—Mayor of Chicago—Lieutenant Gen eral Sheridan—Secretary of War—Official Orders—The Mayor of New York . 173 CONTENTS. 13 INCIDENTS. Bookseller's Row The Rescue of the Dead Destruction of Trunks Eccentricities Domestic Animals The Grave Yards Weddings and Marriages The Ogden Mansion . A Courageous Banker A Faithful Clerk A Baby Rescued Safe Vaults A Deranged Woman Roche the Teamster . What Cider Accomplished The Post Office Cat . Fire Humors A Narrow Escape A Scene in the Tunnel Puritan Relics . Advertisements An Heroic Woman Coolness . Unfortunate Benevolence . A Plucky Merchant . Fire Proof Buildings What a Determined Man did A Fearful Trotting Match Fatal Leap for Life . A Wedding Postponed Unprofitable—Deep Grief. The Children . The Indians . 193 . 194 . 196 . 200 . 201 . 204 . 206 .'209 . 211 . 212 . S13 . 213 . 213 . 214 . 217 . 217 . 218 . 220 . 222 . 223 , 223 224 224 . 225 225 226 228 232 236 239 241 242 243 14 CONTENTS. Through the Tunnel The Court House Bell Labors of Love Reflections and Suggestions After the Fire . Chicago by Moonlight The Spine of Chicago Wanted to see the Ruins . Anoun cements . A Mournful Case Mrs. Lender's Letters Escape and Death The Petroleum Stone Generous in Danger Views of an Expert Experience of Eon J. N. Arnold 244 245 246 248 253 205 , 201 2G2 203 264 266 273 277 280 281 286 RELIEF MEASURES. Meeting in Boston .... Statements of the Relief and Aid Society Ladies' Relief Society Donations 294 297 300 301 RELIEF INCIDENTS. Scenes in the " Church of Refuge" Robert Collyer's Sermon in Boston . Feeling in England . Sidney H. Gray's Letter . 307 311 315 318 of Business. Receipts and Shipments in two days—Receipts and Ship ments for weeks ending November llth and 18th, 1870 and 1871, compared . . 327 CONTENTS. 15 NEW CHICAGO. " Resurgam" Rebuilding Chicago . The Work of Rebuilding . The Future—The Missouri Republican . 339 . 343 EMINENT CITIZENS OF CHICAGO. Charles Toby—John Van Osdel . . 347 Philip A. Hoyne—Hon. Digby N. Bell . . 348 Hon. Isaac V. Arnold—Thomas Church . . 349 Col. Geo. B. Armstrong—James H. Brown . 350 John V. Farwell—Wm. F. Codbough . . . .351 William. Heath ßyford—F. G. Welsh—Samuel Hoad . 352 Julius Bauer ... . 353 James H. Hoes . . 354 POEMS. Chicago—John G. Whittier The Smitten City—Geo. Alfred Townsend Chicago—Bret Harte Out of the Ashes—Hovjard Gfyndon Paris and Chicago—New York Post . 357 361 364 365 367 NORTHWESTERN FIRES. Wisconsin. What the Sufferers saw and Experienced—Appearance of Peshtigo after the Fire—Before the Fire—The Extent of the Burned District in the State—The Track of the Tor nado—Green Bay Region—Oconto County—Losses in Farming Districts . ... . . 371 16 CONTENTS» Michigan. Fires in Huron and Sanilac-pRelief Labors—Destruction of Timber—Story of a*0itizen near Port Huron . 386 Losses of Life Sum/med up 303 THE- GREAT FIRES- OF THE W DRLD. Eome, A. D. 64. . 399 Moscow, 1812 ..... .401 London, 1666—New York, 1835, 1843 . 404 Pittsburgh, 1845. ........ 405 Philadelphia,'1865—San Francisco, 1851—Portland, 1866. 40fi Charleston, 1838—Chicago, 1867-9, 1866-8 . . 407 Other Great Fires . . .409 Comparison ... . 412 Fire in the Air—A Remarkable Theory .416 APPENDIX. The Origin of the Chicago Fire The Fire Alarm—Official Investigation—Testimony of Alarm Operators . 419 Court House Watchman- Statement of Matthias Brown ..... 421 Mrs. O'Leary, " Owner of the Cow"—Other Witnesses Examined . . . 433 Mayor Mason's Address Meeting of Council to Inaugurate the Mayor Elect 439 Mayor Medill's Message The Condition of the City—The Pioneers—Municipal Losses—Fire Department—Police Department—Board of Education—Other Municiparl Losses—The Records—Com bustible Character of Chicago—What the Future Fire Limits Should be—Independent Water Supply for Fires —Conclusion - 440 F FIRE •v, MAP SHOWING EXACT LOCATION AND BOUNDARY AND ORIGIN OF FIRE CHICAGO AS IT WAS. RICHARD Cobden, it is said, once remarked that no man ought to die without visiting America to see Niagara and Chicago. The City of Chicago has been regarded as one of the marvels of the age. Her rapid growth and her stately magnificence have been the astonishment of the world. Her early history, when contrasted with her wealth and grandeur on the 7th of October, 1871, becomes of peculiar interest, even to those whose particular concern for Chicago dates with the recent calamity. Chicago is situated near the head of Lake Mich igan ; has an elevation of five hundred and ninety- one feet above the sea. It is situated upon both sides of the Chicago river, a slow stream, which at a point little over half a mile from the mouth, is formed by the junction of two streams, or branches, one flowing from the northwest, and the other from the southwest. The river and branches divide the city into three natural parts, legally known as the South, North and West Divisions. The South Division included all the territory east of the south 2 20 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: branch, and south of the main river. The North Division included the area east of the north branch, and north of the river ; while the West Division included all that part of the city west of the two branches. From 1681 to 1795, during the time of the French possession, and after its cession to Eng land, very little is known of Chicago or the surround ing country. After the declaration of peace, between the Colonists and the English, the latter, by intrigue, stirred up the border Indian warfare, which be came general in the Western States, and continued until 1195, at which period, having been effectually chastised by General Wayne, the chiefs of the seve ral tribes of Indians, by his invitation, assembled at Greenville, Ohio, and there effected a treaty of peace, which closed the War of the West. Among the numerous small tracts of land where forts and trading posts had been established, then ceded by the Indians to the United States, was one described as follows: One piece of land, six miles square, at the mouth of the Chikajo Hiver, emptying into the southwest end of Lake Michigan, where a fort for merly stood. Here we have an account of the first land trade of Chicago—the first transaction in that line of business which has at times distinguished Chicago above every other city of the nation—the first link in the chain of title to thousands upon thousands of transfers that have been made of the soil thus parted with by the Indians. When the first settlers of Chicago began to con- ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 21 gregate and erect their cabins, with the view of forming the nucleus of a town, the point selected as the most available for village purposes, was the tract on the west side, at the junction of the north and south branches, and at first called Wolf's Point. In addition to the few buildings that were standing in 1818, we have only to mention this group at Wolf's Point, two or three buildings ,on the south side, between the point and the fort,1 and the Miller House, on the north side. The Miller House stood on the point of land between the north branch and the main channel. It was a log structure partly sided, and was erected by Mr. Samuel Miller, who resided here with his family and a brother by the name of John Miller. This house was used as a tavern. A little above its mouth on the north branch, was a log bridge, which gave access from that quarter to the business of the agency, and the little trade which may have con tinued up to this time on the north branch. But the centre of attraction was at Wolf's Point, opposite the Miller House. Here, too, was another tavern, the public house, par excellence, of Chicago —the school house and church, as well as the store. On the south side, the most prominent object of in terest was the tavern kept by Mr. Elijah Wentworth, a man familiarly known as "Old Geese," not as a burlesque on the worthy landlord, but as a compli ment to his distinctive and original character. This building was partly log and partly frame, and was situated on the ground north of Lake Street Bridge, 22 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: now occupied as a lumber yard. North of this tavern was an oblong building which had been erected by Father Walker, a missionary of the Methodist Episcopal Church, for a place of worship, and for a school house.* Mr. Walker had at times ministered to the spiritual wants of the settlement, from this rude temple. Mr. W. had a residence in the country known as Walker's, which distinguished the locality at that time, which is now Plainfield, Will Co. This log tabernacle was the meeting house of the town. Mr. See, who, it seems, was the local preacher or exhorter, and who resided at the Point, was the supply which was most generally afforded. Preaching was upon a par with other callings and employments of the place. Mr. Went worth's tavern was the best one kept in Chicago. It was the place where men of character who visited the town always stopped. It was the headquarters of Gen. Scott, when he came to Chicago with the troops for the Black Hawk War, in 1832. The distinctive name of this celebrated tavern, as famil iarly used by all the settlers, was "Eat Castle," in contrast with its rival in distinction on the north side, "Cobweb Castle," and in commemoration of a large class of regular boarders that infested its prem ises, as well as every other cabin on the river shore. Next south of Wentworth's tavern was the resi dence of James Kinzie. Next to these were log cabins, in which resided Alexander Robinson, and here occasionally, resided Billy Caldwell, whose wife was the wild daughter of an Indian Chief, and her ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 23 presence did not always hallow his wigwam with the sanctity of peace. Still further south of these was the store-house of Mr. Eobert A. Kinzie, son of Mr. John Kinzie, who had succeeded his father in the Indian trade, and his stock consisted of gro ceries, Indian goods and supplies for the settlers, and was the store of the village, as essentially as Wentworth's was the village tavern. Across the south branch, on the east side, resided Mark Beau- bien, brother of Gen. J. B. Beaubien, who also kept tavern. In 1831 his establishment had risen to a two-story dwelling, painted, with green blinds, and soon attained to the title of the Saganash Hotel— which was the Indian name of Billy Caldwell—and so called in honor of that distinguished chief and man of the times, for he was then one of the promi nent residents of Chicago. It stood near what is now the southeast corner of Lake and Market streets. By this time there had been a place of amusement started in a little, low, log shanty, where was set up a billiard table, at which citizens of lei sure amused themselves in knocking about three cracked balls. Further up the south-branch was the residence of a French Indian trader by the name of Bourissa. In the South Division, near the "slough" that drained the marshes of the south side, and emptied into the "river at State street, was the trading house of Medert Beaubien—son of Col. Beaubien—a cabin of small pretensions. Upon the Lake shore, a little distances south of the fort, Col. Beaubien resided in the cabin which he had pur- 24 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: chased of the American Fur Company, in 1817— which he had elevated to the dignity of a homestead, and which was now familiarly known among the settlers by the name of the " Wigwam." Near this residence was his store, in which the American Fur Company kept a stock of goods for the Indian trade. Further south, the old Dean house had started on the way to ruin; the water of the lake had gradually encroached upon the shore, until it had undermined the foundations of the cabin, and it had fallen back ward down the bank, where it lay, a type of ruin, an emblem, in the estimation of the croakers (who existed at that time, as well as the present), of the future of Chicago. Another settler about this time had taken tip his residence in the suburbs, to be rated with the other " outside settlers," who had linked their fortunes with Chicago, for better or worse—and this was Dr. Harmon, the father of Isaac D. Harmon, who had made a claim a mile and a half south, on the lake shore, on the site of the Indian battle ground of 1812, and was making a fine improvement there. This was the place since known as dark's, the site of which is now occupied by some of the finest residences in Chicago. In the year 1804 the United States erected Fort Dearborn upon the south bank of the river, just east of the present Mic%igan avenue. Mr. Kinzie and his son, John H., Indian traders, were the only white residents until the war of 1812, when the post was abandoned. The small garrison, in attempting to escape, were captured by the Potta- ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 25 watomies, and massacred at a point now represented by Twelfth street and Michigan avenue. In 1816 the fort was rebuilt, and the Kinzies returned, and the fort served for many years as a resting place for emigrants passing to the West. The inhabitants did not exceed half-a-dozen families, until in 1827 Con gress made a grant of land to aid in the construction of a canal to connect the waters of Lake Michigan with those of the Illinois river. In 1829 the State Legislature appointed a commission to mark out the route of the canal, and a surveyor arrived to mark out the town. Beside the garrison at that time, there were eight families, engaged mostly as Indian traders, in the place. Gov. Bond, the first Governor of Illinois, in his inaugural, in 1818, called the attention of the General Assembly to the im portance of opening a canal to connect Lake Michi gan with the Illinois river. In his valedictory, in 1822, he again urged its importance. The session of Congress, 1821-2, passed an act, granting "per mission to the State of Illinois to cut a canal through the public lands connecting the Illinois river with Lake Michigan, and granting to it the breadth of the canal and ninety feet on each side of it," coupled with the condition, " that the State should permit all articles belonging to the United States, or to any person in their employ, t pass toll free, forever." With a hard and protracted struggle by numerous individuals, and especially by Daniel P. Cook, Esq., who was at that time Eepresentative in Congress, and from whom Cook county was named, an act 20 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION—CHICAGO: was passed by Congress, March 2d, 1827, granting to the State for the construction of this work, " each alternate section of land, five miles in width, on each side of the proposed canal." We make mention of these facts, because it was from this act of Congress the State acquired the title to those lands which have formed the basis for many of its most important financial transactions; from which originated the titles to the valuable canal lands, on which a large portion of the city is built—on which, too, villages, towns and cities have sprung up, all along its line. In the autumn of 1829, commissioners authorized the laying out of the " Town of Chicago," on the alternate section which belonged to the canal lands —lying upon the main channel of the river, and over the junction of the two branches. The first map of the original town of Chicago, by James Thompson, surveyor, bears date, August 4th, 1830. This was the first beginning of Chicago, as a legally recognized place among the towns and cities of the world—the first official act of organization, which must accordingly be dated as its birth, or real start ing point, and the town was comprised within the limits of what are now known as Madison, State, Kinzie and Halstead streets, or about three-eighths of a square mile. Hence this city, with its popula tion of 330,000—the lea ng mart in the world for grain, pork, lumber, will have arrived on the 4th day of August, 1812, at the precocious maturity of forty-two years. In 1831 Cook county was organ ized, embracing, in addition to the present county, ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 27 the territory which now is known by five other large and populous counties. The prospective work on the canal was attracting population, but, in 1832, the cholera visited the incipient city, and was very severe. In 1832 the first public re ligious worship was held in a log hut erected for that purpose. The tax list for 1832 amounted to $148.29. Lake street was laid out the same year. In 1833 the settlement had- increased enough to have a post office and postmaster, and a weekly mail ; and late in the year, the Chicago Democrat, a weekly paper, was started by John Calhoun. On the 10th of August, the voters of Chicago held an election to determine whether they would become incorporated, and to elect trustees. Every man voted, and the number of voters was twenty-eight, many of whom are now living; and the levy for city taxes, in 1834, was $48.90. In 1834 the num ber of voters had increased to one hundred and eleven, and a loan of $60 was negotiated for public improvements. In 1835 the number of voters was two hundred and eleven. In 1836 the town applied to the State Bank for a loan of $25,000, and was refused. In 1837 the Legislature incorporated the City of Chicago, and in May following the Hon. William B. Ogden was elected Mayor of Chicago. Thus, on the first Tuesday in May, 1837, twenty- four years ago, commenced the City of Chicago, which then contained a population of 4,179. The following is a statement of the population of Chi cago, for each year since that time : 28 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: Year. 1837 . 1838 . 1839 . 1840 . 1841 . 1842 . 1843 . 1844 1845 1846 1847 1848 1849 1850 1851 1852 1853 Population. 4,179 4,000 . . 4,200 4,470 5.500 6,590 7,580 8,000 12,088 14,168 . 16,859 . 20,023 . 23,047 . . 28,269 . 34,000 . . 38,734 . 60,662 Year. 1854 3855 1856 _ 1857 " 1858 1859 1860 1861 1862 1863 1864 1865 1866 1867 1868 . 1870 . 1871 Population. . . 65,872 . . 80,023 . . 86,000 . . 93,000 . not taken . . 90,000 109,263 120,000 137,030 150,000 161,288 187,446 200,000 220,000 242,383 298,977 334,270 This has been the extraordinary growth of this wonderful city. The natural line of the site of Chicago, was but a few feet above that of the lake, and there was no drainage, and in seasons of rain the surface was covered with water. In the winter of 1855-6 the city ordered a change of grade, raising the height of the carriage ways an average of eight feet. This placed the lower or ground story of each building several feet below the level of the street; but the inconvenience was rapidly overcome by raising all the buildings, brick, stone and wood, up to the level. All the large buildings, including many hotels, business blocks, warehouses, &c., were raised, by means of screws, from their foundations a height of ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 29 from six to ten feet, and new foundations built under them. This secured deep, dry cellars and admitted a thorough system of sewerage. The city ordered an effective dredging of the harbor, and the clay thus obtained served to fill the streets to the new grade. For several years, while this process was going on, the passage of Chicago streets was a work of trying difficulty to pedestrians. The expense was great, but was cheerfully borne by the property holders. Then commenced the works of permanent improvement in the city, and how far they had pro gressed may be seen by the following comparative tables : Tear 1854. 6^ miles. 600 feet. Sewers, ..... Nicholson pavement, Stone pavement, ... " Water pipe and drains, 30 miles. Sidewalks (plank), . . 159 Sidewalks (stone), . . 500 feet. Tear 1871. 160 miles 40 " 5 " 400 " 900 " 30 " The Chicago Water Works. Chicago has always had the reputation of a boast ful city, but the truth is, its growth, expansion and increase have always exceeded the predictions of its own most sanguine people. This is in nowise more clearly shown than in its water supply, the history of which at once tells the story of an enterprising people and of the city's extraordinary progress. In 1839, a company was chartered to supply Chicago with water. It erected a reservoir on the lake shore 30 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION—CHICAGO: at the corner of Michigan avenue and Water street, and with a pump, the motive power of which was a small engine of twenty-five horse power, drew water from the kke into the reservoir, and this water was distributed through logs, having a bore of from three to five inches. In 1851, a new company was formed, and in the fall of that year a plan was adopted, which was based upon the estimate, considered ridiculous at the time, that in 1866 the city would have 100,000, inhabitants. This company selected a • site on the lake shore. A crib made of wood 20 by 40 feet was sunk 600 feet out in the lake, and from this a wooden inlet was constructed, through which the water was introduced to a large well, 25 feet deep. Over this well was erected a pump. This pump, moved by a steam engine, forced the water into the mains. At three points in the city were erected large stone reservoirs, in which the water accumu lated and received a head, which forced it through the distributing pipes. A large tower was erected in the engine house, serving the double purpose of a chimney for the boilers, and a chamber for the, standing column of water. The engine was of 200 horse power. In December, 1853, the water was first pumped, and in February, 1854, water was first , introduced into buildings. In the meantime rail- /jfl roads had been laid down to and from Chicago. I ' The city had three trunk lines of rail communica- '1/ tion to the Atlantic seaboard, and as many west to the Mississippi river. A road had been built with ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 31 two nearly parallel lines southward, the whole length of the State. Immigration was pouring in. In 1862, the length of water pipe laid exceeded 105 miles and the demand was greater. In 1860, the city had exceeded 109,000 inhabitants, and the in crease after the beginning of the war had received a new impetus. The commercé on the river or harbor had grown immensely. Simultaneously with the water system, the city had established a system of sewerage. Under the plan adopted the sewerage all found its way into the river. As the water was extended, the closets of all buildings were connected with the sewers. On the banks of the river and its branches were erected large distilleries with their accompanying cattle pens ; the drainage all flowing into the river. The packing houses which had become numerous, with extensive busi ness, emptied their refuse into the river. A result was that the river became a horrible nuisance. Its odor was terrific; as the wind happened to blow, so were the various parts of the city suffocated with this fearful stench. The river itself had no current save when the wind blew off shore, when the putrid stuff slowly escaped into the lake where its inky waters might be traced for miles ; when there were heavy rains, the current carried out the blackened, sickening water, and for a few days after each of such floods, the river was clean again. The smells of Chicago river had become as historical as those of Cologne. The worst evil, however, was that when ever the wind was from the south or east, the water 32 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: of the river escaping into the lake was carried up to the crib, through which the water works ob tained its supply. It was thence redistributed to the public. At times the stench in dwellings from this fearful liquid was intolerable. It was not only black, with a shocking odor, but was greasy to the touch. It became necessary, therefore, not only to provide better water, but also to provide for a supply commensurate with the growth of the city. In .1863, the city was authorized to construct a tunnel under the lake to obtain a supply of pure water. A careful survey was made, and such a proceeding was pronounced feasible. On the 9th of September, 1863, bids were opened and the con tract awarded to Dull and Gowan, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, for $315,139. Ground was broken on the 17th of March, 1864. The shore shaft was first sunk. The original intention to have this shaft exclusively of brick was abandoned because of some quicksands, and a cylinder was sunk, 26 feet, to the bottom of the sand bed. This cylinder is 9 feet in diameter inside, and 2^ inches thick. From the shore shaft the tunnel is 5 feet wide and 5 feet 2 inches in height, the upper and lower arches being semi-circles. The masonry consists of brick 8 inches thick, laid in two rings, the bricks being laid lengthwise. The bottom of the tunnel where it connects with the lake shaft is 66 feet below the level of the earth, and 64 below the level of the lake. The inclination towards the shore is 2 feet per mile. By closing the gate at the crib, ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 33 the tunnel will empty into the shore shaft, and can then be inspected and if necessary repaired. The work was prosecuted incessantly by night and by day. Stiff blue clay was first met with, in the bore, and with the exception of a few slight pockets of sand, the whole work was carried through the same formation. A railway was laid in the 'tunnel, and cars were filled with clay and drawn to the mouth by mules; the returning cars carried back bricks and cement. There were several niches or turnouts constructed, having a double purpose of affording convenience and of giving strength to the work. In July, 1865, or nineteen months after the com mencement of work at the shore end, the monster crib, built for the lake end of the tunnel, was launched, and towed safely to its destination, and sunk It was of large proportions. The dimen sions were imposing. It was of a pentagonal form, 40 feet high, with a circle of 98J feet in diameter was built of square logs havm«? three walls 11 feet distant from ench other, leaving in the center a space equal to a circle of 25 feet ; in this inner circle or space was sunk and fixed an iron cylinder 9 feet in diameter, extending from the water line 64 feet to the tunnel. The water at that point is 33 feet deep, and the cylinder is there fore 31 feet below the bottom of the lake. To safely anchor this important structure so that it might withstand the fury of lake storms and the incessant beating of the waters, was no easy matter. It contains an equivalent to 750,000 feet of lumber, 34 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: board measure; 150 tons of iron bolts, and is loaded with 4,500 tons of stone. Its whole weight is 5,700 tons. The structure stands 12 feet above the water line. As soon as this was safely anchored and the cylinder sunk, the whole was covered with a build ing to protect the workmen. The earth excavated was loaded upon scows, which brought back with them bricks and cement. The work on the tunnel proper did not begin at this end until December, 1865, when the first brick was laid. The whole length of the tunnel was 2 miles. On January 1st, 1865, there had been 4,825 feet of the tunnel built from the shore end. After that time work pro gressed from both ends. On December 6th, 1866, the wall between the two gangs was broken, the men shook hands, and the last brick was laid by Major John B. Rice. The water was not, however, furnished to the city until March, 1867, when there was a grand civic celebration. The increase of water supply necessitated an in crease of distributing power. The old engine and pump house was greatly enlarged. A new tower of stone, 130 feet high, was "erected some distance west of the pump. Within this tower is an iron column, three feet in diameter, to the top of which the water is forced from the tunnel by the powerful pumping machinery, and thence by its own pressure is forced through the mains and distributing pipes of the city. The total cost of this grand work com plete, with new engines and all things pertaining to the enlarged works, was about $1,000,000. CHICAGO WATER-WORKS. ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. ol Since then, the laying of water mains has been pushed extensively. In 1854 the first pipe was laid. At the close of 1860, 71 miles of pipe had been laid. When the water was admitted in March, 1867, it flowed through 154 miles of pipe. In 1867 and 1868, 50 additional miles were laid, and on the 1st of April, 1870, the total length of pipe laid was 239 miles 4,763 feet, when the fire occurred there were about 275 miles of pipe laid. The increase in the consumption of water upon the procurement of a pure quality was surprising. The total amount supplied in 1866, averaged 8,600,- 000 gallons daily. In 1867, the first year of the pure water, it averaged 11,560,000 gallons daily. In 1869 its average during the 'whole year was 18,633,278 gallons daily, though on some days it equalled 20,000,000 gallons. In 1870 the average had increased to 21,000,000 gallons daily. In 1871 no official report had been made, but the consump tion was fully up to 24,000,000 gallons daily. So greatly had this demand exceeded even the most sanguine expectations, that it was feared the capacity of the works would not be sufficient. So this enterprising people resolved to extend the tunnel from its present shore end, west of southwest in an air-line, a distance of nearly three miles under the city, and under the main river and its south branch, and there erect a duplicate works. It was also contemplated to build another tunnel under the lake to secure an additional supply of water, to be used in case of any accident to the one 3 38 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: now in use. The capacity of the present tunnel is 57,000,000 gaUons daily. The quality of the water is most excellent. It is very pure and free of all earthy substances. Even in the most stormy seasons, such are the admirable precautions at the crib, that little or no sand enters the tunnel, and what does enter is caught in the catch basins before reaching the shore wells. The à engraving represents the exterior of the works with the tower. The surrounding grounds had but re cently been put in order, and the whole presented a handsome landscape, the broad lake spreading far to the eastward an appropriate back-ground. The annual expense of the pumping works, or operating expenses including repairs and salaries, was about $80,000, and the cost of delivering water per million of gallons was less than $10,000. The annual income from water service was about $650,000, paying the interest on the water debt, all expenses, and leaving a surplus to pay for exten sions of the service pipes. The machinery of the water works was of the most excellent character. It had recently been augmented by an enormous engine, not surpassed in power or excellence of workmanship by any like production in the country. This engine was put in place in September. The fire destroying the sup ports of the roof, let the burning mass fall upon this machinery. It was then exposed to the intense heat borne by the gale for twelve hours. The effect was damaging. As soon as possible a force of mechanics ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 39 were put at work, and in eleven days an engine was in operation, again supplying the city with water. The Streets of Chicago. The whole length of streets in Chicago numbers 531 miles. Of which there were improved : By wooden blocks, . . . 37.60 miles. " boulders, . . 3.77 " McAdam, . 11.26 " cindering, . 2.40 " " gravelling,. 6.43 " Total miles improved, . 61.46 " The annual assessments upon abutting-property since and including 1869, for street improvements, exceeded $2,000,000. Sewerage. The total length of sewerage constructed to April 1st, 1870, was 136J miles; in 1870 and 1871 about 50 miles additional were laid. Gas. The North and South Divisions were supplied by the Chicago Gas and Coke Company, whose works were at the junction of Adams and Franklin streets; and the West Division by the People's Gas Com pany. The former company had just completed new works north of the city, and in six days after the fire, was again furnishing gas to the people, resident in that portion of its territory not swept by the fire. 40 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: Bridges and Tunnels. Communication between the several parts of the city was kept up by pivot-bridges, spanning the river and its branches. . During the fire all the bridges on the main river, four in number, were destroyed, and three were burned on the south branch. As these bridges had to be swung open to permit vessels to pass, the interruption to passengers and vehicles was so great that other means were demanded. For this purpose, in 1869, a tunnel was built under the south branch, under the line of Washington street. This tunnel has a double roadway for vehicles, and a twelve feet passage for pedestrians. In September, 1871, another but much better tunnel was constructed under the main river, on the line of La Salle street. --In both cases the skill of the engineers and the success of the mechanics have been remarkable. These tunnels were not injured by the fire. The Hiver and the Canal. To understand the last grand triumph of the enter prise of the people of Chicago, it must be borne in mind that the river is the receiver of the entire sewerage system of Chicago. Into that river there is forever falling the foul discharges of the hundreds of miles of sewers, and in Chicago all the water closets are connected with the sewers. The wash ings of the distilleries and of the packing-houses also ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 41 flow into the river. As the river, though deep, is but in fact an estuary of the lake, there is no current, save when the wind is off shore, and consequently none of this filth was ever carried out, save when contin ued heavy rains would produce a current. The river, therefore, was offensively odorous; in the winter, when covered with ice, the foul gases did not escape, but at other seasons it was intolerable. The Illinois and Michigan canal was connected with the pouth branch of the river by a lock, the canal being several feet above the river To supply the canal with water, pumps were erected, and the city was forced to hire these pumps to pump the water from the river into the canal continuously, thus drawing pure water into the river from the lake. But as the sewerage increased, the efficacy of the pumps diminished, and finally the consent of the Legisla ture was obtained and the city resolved to so deepen the canal as to establish a continuous flow of water up stream from the lake, through the river into the canal. Many miles of the excavation was of solid rock, and the first estimate of $2,500,000 was ex hausted. Finally, in June, 1871, the work was completed at a cost of $3,750,000, the locks were torn away, the river poured its inky stream of fetid water into the canal, and in twenty-four hours the water in the river was as pure as that of the lake., It continues to work admirably, much to the astonish ment of those who insist, even in the face of this con trary demonstration, that the water of a river will not flow up stream. There is a current of several miles 42 TEE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: per hour constantly flowing to the head of the stream, keeping the river pure and inodorous. During the suspension of the water works, since the fire, water from the river has been pumped into the mains and distributed to the people. It was smoky but otherwise good. Chamber of Commerce. In 1864-5 the Chamber of Commerce was built at the southeast corner of Washington and La Salle streets, at a cost including the lot, of $490,000. In this magnificent building, built of marble, the Board of Trade, consisting of 1400 members, met daily for the transaction of business. It contained, also, offices occupied by two banks, insurance agen cies, brokers, and commission merchants. The hall where the daily business was transacted was as fine as any in the country, and was the scene of many an exciting event. This building was swept by the fire as if it were made of wood. The Grain MarTcet. Chicago had long since become the leading grain market of the world. The growth of this trade is but an illustration of the general growth of the city in all its branches of commerce. After the disas trous events of 1837, Walker & Co., in 1838, commenced as an experiment the shipment of grain, and the shipment of that year was 78 bushels of wheat. Flour was not exported until 1844. The ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 43 record of corn shipments commenced in 1847. A few statements will show the progress of this trade : Tear. 1838, 1841, 1844, 1848, 1855, Tear. 1847, 1851, 1854, I860, Shipments Bushels. 78 40,000 . 891,000 . 2,160,000 . 6,298,155 of Wheat. Tear. 1860, - 1861, 1866, 1868, 1870, Bushels. 12,402,197 15,835,935 10,118;907 10,374,683 16,432,585 Corn. Bushels. 67,315 3,221,317 6,626,054 13,700,113 Tear. 1816, 1866, 1869, . . 1870, . . Bushels. 24,322,725 32,953,530 21,580,808 17,777,371 1871,' to October. Of all Grains. Reducing the flour shipped to bushels of wheat, the aggregate of all kinds of grain shipped in both forms is thus shown : Tear. 1841, 1350, 1854, 1860, Busnele. • . 40,000 . . 1,830,938 12,932,320 . 31,108,750 Tear. 1862, 1866, 1870, Bushels. . 56,484,110 . 66,736,660 . 54,745,903 The receipts and shipments during 1871, prom- ;ed to exceed by many millions of bushels those of any previous year. 44 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION—CHICAGO : Elevators. The machinery by which this vast amount of grain was handled was the monster elevators, of which there were seventeen, with a total capacity of holding 11,580,000 bushels in store. The trains were run to these elevators and quickly emptied of their contents, while the business of loading a vessel was proportionately speedy. The elevators were built on the river, thus admitting of receiving from the cars on one side, and delivering to vessels on the other. Of these elevators there were six de stroyed, having an aggregate capacity of 2,630,000 bushels. They contained at the time 1,650,000 bushels of grain. The other elevators yet remain. Those destroyed will rapidly be replaced. Cattle Yards, Another institution of this city was its stock yards, which were opened in December, 1865. Their area is 345 acres ; 100 acres in pens ; used for hotel and other buildings 45 acres; 31 miles of drainage; 12 miles of paved streets and alleys ; 3 miles of water troughs; 12 miles of feed troughs; 2,300 gates; 1,500 open pens; 800 covered pens; the whole supplied by water from an artesian well. The hotel is large. The establishment has its national bank, telegraph office, newspaper, and is reached by the tracks of 21 railroads and their tributary roads. These yards are uninjured by the fire. ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 45 The number of animals received and shipped at these yards during the year 1870 is as follows : Cattle. Cattle, . Sheep, . . Hogs, live, Hogs, dressed, Receipts. 532,964 349,855 1,693,158 260,214 Shipped. 391,709 116,711 924,483 171,188 Lumber Trade. The magnitude of the lumber trade may be briefly stated in the following statement of the receipts : Tear. Lumber, feet. 1867-8, 882,661,770 1870-1, 1,018,998,685 Shingles. 447,039,275 652,091,000 Lath. . 146,846,200 More than half of these receipts of lumber are shipped hence to all parts of the west by rail and canal. Other Articles in 1870. Pork, barrels, . . Provisions, pounds, Lard, pounds, Beef, barrels, Seeds, pounds, Wool, pound, Hides, pounds, Salt, barrels, . Coal, tons, . . . Lead, pounds, . . . Hogs, packed, '69-'70, Receipts. 40,883 52,162,881 7,711,018 20,554 18,681,148 14,7.51,089 28,539,668 674,618 887,474 14,445,622 2,595,233 Shipments. 165,885 112,433,168 43,292,249 65,529 6,287,615 15,826,536 27,245,846 571,013 110,467 7,855,471 46 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION—CHICAGO: Lake Commerce. The aggregate number of vessels arriving in Chi cago during the year 1870, was 12,739, with a tonnage of 3,049,265 tons. The vessels owned in Chicago in 1870, are thus recorded: Steamers,. Propellers, . Tugs, .... River steamers, Steam canal boats, Barks, . Brigs, - Schooners, Scows, Barges, Canal boats, No. 3 10 53 4 14 34 7 242 41 8 418 , 224 Tons. 467 4,256 1,752 376 1,226 11,753 1,553 45,201 2,956 3,103 72,764 20,564 Railroads. The number of main lines of railway entering Chicago was 21, including their extensions and branches 45, with nearly 10,000 miles of track through the country tributary to this city. The' number of passenger trains arriving daily was not less than 120, and of freight trains, about the same number. ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 47 Taxable Property. The assessment for municipal taxation of per sonal and private property for the year had just been completed, and was about $287,000,000, This did not include public property, and only so much of the personal as was visible. It was perhaps one- third less than the real or selling value. It did not include the churches, charitable or school property, all of which was valuable. City Debt. The debt of the City of Chicago in April, 1871, was $14,103,000, of which $1,500,000 was held in cash intended for the extension of the water works. The increase of the debt was prohibited by the Con stitution of 1870. Manufactures. The manufactures of Chicago during 1870, pro duced an aggregate of about $76,000,000. The 4^eaviest of these establishments were destroyed. Banks. The City of Chicago had 25 banks, 17 of them national banks, with an aggregate capital of $13,000,000, and of deposits amounting to 48 TEE GREAT CONFLAGRATION—CHICAGO: $35,000,000, all these banks, save the Prairie Savings Institution, were located within the burnt district, and their buildings destroyed. In no case was any money lost, though most of them lost their books. The Post Office. The Chicago Post Office was in general business, the third in the country, ranking next after Phila delphia, but in the 'number of letters received and mailed, it was exceeded only by that of New York. The building was erected in 1855, and was sup posed to be fire proof. It was of Athens marble. The exterior walls are standing. The building also contained the Custom House, United States Deposi tory, United States Courts, and Marshal's offices. All the books and records were destroyed. The gold in the depository was recovered, having melted down, but the $1,300,000 of greenbacks and na tional .bank notes were consumed. The Court House Was a large building made of Lockpovt granite. It was three stories high, with a basement, used as a county jail. During 1870, the city erected a large wing on the west side of the square, and the comely-like structure on the east side. These were occupied in March last for the first time. They ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 49 had been handsomely and expensively furnished throughout. All the records of all the courts, and of the city and county, including the record of deeds, were consumed in the fire. On the dome of the center building was recently erected a clock, with four dials, and on the belfry was hung a powerful fire alarm bell. The bellman did not abandon his post until the roof of the building was in flames. The Police. The police force consists of 450 men, under the general charge of a Board of Police Commissioners. The force is generally effective. Fire Department. The Fire Department consisted of four hook and ladder trucks ; two hose elevators ; 17 steam engines ; 54 hose carts ; one fire escape, and 11 alarm bells ; with 48,000 feet of hose. Jt was a paid depart ment. Until this calamity, it had proved to be brave, vigorous and prompt, though there was a growing impression that its executive officers were not what they ought to be, neither the Police, nor Fire Department had become political or parti san attachments, though the Commissioners are elective. 50 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: The Population. In June, 1870, the Federal census was taken, and in June, 1871, it was again taken by private enterprise. The following are the results : Wards. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Totals, Tear 1870. 6,522 14,320 17,681 12,174 11,566 19,445 13,854 22,911 27,817 13,771 15,065 13,970 8,928 9,035 20,361 14,045 18,078 17,084 8,716 13,628 Tear 1S71. 8,103 13,449 17,934 14,022 14,991 22,918 15,590 25,420 30,778 17,292 16,212 15,018 9,740 9,339 25,706 16,380 18,814 18,805 9,237 14,522 -¿98,977 334,270 The destruction by the fire was nearly complete in the wards in which it occurred. The fire origin ated in the Ninth Ward, burning out the northeast corner of that war.d. Four blocks of the Tenth Ward had been destroyed the night before. I ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 51 then crossed the river in the Second Ward, burning, leaving but a dozen dwellings in that ward, and de stroying twenty-five or more in the Third Ward ; it swept every house in the First, Twentieth, Nine teenth, Eighteenth, and Seventeenth Wards, and four-fifths of the Sixteenth Ward. This renders the computation of those rendered homeless, a mat ter of easy computation. Taking the census of 1871, as the basis, the following is the population whose habitations were destroyed. We follow the course of the fire. •Wards. 9 . . 10 . . 3 . 2 1 . 20 . . Inhabitants. 2,000 250 250 ,13,449 8,103 14,522 Wards. 19 . 18 17 16 . Rendered homeless Inhabitants. 9,237 18,805 18,814 13,650 — —— , 98,860 The First Ward was, with but few exceptions, built of stone or brick ; the streets were all paved, but in many cases the board sidewalks had not yet given place to the stone. In this ward were concen trated all the city and county buildings; all the banks ; all the insurance brokers, and real estate offices; nearly all the wholesale dry goods, groceries, jewellers, clothing, crockery and glassware, boots and shoes, drugs, oils and paint, and leather dealers ; all the hotels, save those built since 1869, the opera house, and all the theatres. During 1869 and '70 State street had been improved by the erection of some thirty or forty marble front, business buildings, all 52 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: six stories high. In this street were most of the large booksellers and publishers. East of State street, and in the same ward, the improvements have been on an equal scale. There were but two churches in this ward, the Second Presbyterian, a stone building, and St. Mary's Roman Catholic. Adjoining the latter was the Convent of the Sisters of Mercy, which included a large boarding house and school. Near by, on Michigan avenue, was the marble residence of Bishop Foley. In the same ward were all the newspaper offices and principal publishing houses, including Callaghan & Cochroft, Law Publishers, who lost the plates of the reports of several States. The Opera House had been re fitted at a cost of $90,000, and was to open on Monday night. Me Vicker's Theatre had been sub stantially rebuilt, at great cost. The United States Post Office, Custom House and Depository, was in the same part of the city. Though the ward covered a large area, the resident population was compara tively small, those doing business there residing in other parts of the city. It contained large factories, in which were employed many thousands of women. At six o'clock in the evening the various working people, clerks, and others, male and female, would throng the streets in long processions, returning to their homes in various parts of the city. The va rious horse railways had their common starting point on State street. Michigan avenue, until within a few years, was the grand place of residence. Built only upon one 'M. 7 .? ;,i >• CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. o = - .j il " .,,,.,„ n ,i •-- I • ••*-"! ..HÜ »....' i TO ' vr K *.« .t[ u ' CITY HALL. ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 55 Bide, the dwellings looked out upon the broad lake, with an intervening park. Next to this was Wabash avenue, hardly less desirable as a residence, but the growth of business had become such that residence after résidence was abandoned, and business, whole- Bale principally, was converting once proud private marnons into places of traffic. Not a house stands on either avenue, north of Congress street; there one block was saved, including the Avenue Hotel. To the west of this the fire burned down to Harri- Bon street, the southern boundary of the Second Ward. The Second Ward contained a large proportion of wooden buildings, which were, however, giving way to those of stone and brick. It included the Palmer Hotel, opened in March; the Bigelow House, just furnished, but not opened ; and the Pacific Hotel, hardly completed. These three hotels were intended to surpass any of the other great hotels for which the city was proverbial. In the First Ward was the great Union Passenger Depot of the Illinois Central, Michigan Central, md Chicago Burlington and Quincy Railroads, and all the freight depots of the same roads. In he Second Ward was the magnificent and costly pa„ jer depot of the Rock Island and the Michi gan Southern Railroads. The buildings were all of stone. Crossing the river to the Twentieth Ward, the fire entered a field of more combustible material. For three blocks north of the river the buildings 56 THE GEE A T CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: were generally of brick, and for three blocks west of the lake the private residences, most of them costly, were of stone. Along the river were two elevators, McCormick's reaper factory, a freight de pot, and various manufacturing establishments. On Kinzie street was the great meat market, to which all the slaughtered meat was brought, and from which most of the butchers got their daily supply. North of these parts and for miles, the buildings as a general thing, were of wood, and were con sumed as so much kindling wood by the fire, driven by the furious gale. In this section there were several handsome churches—St. James, Episcopal, stone ; Cathedral of the Holy Name, R. C. ; St. Joseph's Church, R. C., German ; Unity Church, Rev. Robert Collyer's; New England Church; be sides numerous frame churches. The Roman Catho lic Orphan Asylum, stone, and two hospitals, were also in this part of the city. One stone Public School, of the modern style, and four brick schools were also within the area swept by the fire. To the east, near the lake shore, were the water works al ready mentioned, and also several large breweries. In the same part of the city were located the supposed fire proof buildings of the Chicago Historical Society and Rush Medical College. The population of this North Division, except along the streets near the lake, was mostly of foreign birth. The Sixteenth and Seventeenth Wards were almost exclusively Germans. The Eighteenth was principally settled by Irish. The Nineteenth and Twentieth had a ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 57 more mixed population, but the Germans were in the majority. The buildings destroyed in the Ninth and Tenth Wards have been described as wooden. The population dislodged were mainly Irish, but in cluded, also, a settlement of Bohemians in the Ninth Ward. The Paries and Boulevards. Chicago had just entered upon a system of parks and boulevards, which, when completed, would have been unequalled by those of any other city of the world. The first of these was LINCOLN PARK, a tract of land within the ^northern limits of the city, contain ing one hundred and fifty-three acres, and with a broad front upon the lake. This park had been already comparatively completed and was a great public resort. The plan embraced a boulevard with a roadway 250 feet wide, proceeding from the northern extremity of this park westwardly about four miles, where it entered HUMBOLDT PARK, a tract of 290 acres. This park had only been com menced ; it was enclosed and was partially planted. About two miles south of this, and connected by a like boulevard, was CENTRAL PARK, containing 236 acres, and a mile south of this park was DOUGLAS PAKE, containing 232 acres. All of these parks were but in their infancy, but with the speed with vhich all such things progress in Chicago, would in a few years have become handsomely decorated places 58 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: of resort. From Douglas Park, the boulevard upon the same extended to the south and east, until it reached NORTH PARK, a tract of over 500 acres, just south of the city. A mile and a half to the south and west of this park was SOUTH PARK, which con tained nearly 500 acres ; both parks containing com bined 1,055 acres. The North and South Parks cost over two millions of dollars, for which the bonds of the South Division have been sold. Work on these parks will probably be suspended for years, as the property to be taxed for their improvement and maintenance has been destroyed. When com pleted, as they would rapidly have been had not this fire occurred, they would have been unequalled. The length of boulevard, or broad paved avenue planted on both sides, would have been nearly twenty-five miles, exclusive of the roadways in the parks. No other equal extent of drives can be found in any other city of this day. The park system will be suspended, but not abandoned, and before five years are over, no other calamity intervening, the work will be resumed. The lands for parks and boule vards have been purchased, and will be held until the city recovers some of her lost greatness and wealth. ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 59 The Business of Chicago. On the 5th of October, only a day or two before the fire, the Chicago Tribune had the following editorial concerning the trade of the city: " Our Washington despatches of yesterday show, that one more obstacle to the shipment of goods from foreign ports direct to Chicago has been re moved. This is the permission of the Treasury Department to carry foreign goods, on which there is no duty, in the same bonded cars with goods upon which the duty is to be collected here. Few per sons, except those directly engaged in the import trade of this city, are aware of what important changes have resulted from the recent removal of the unnecessary restrictions in regard to cars, and locks, and guards, that were imposed a year ago upon the shipment of goods direct from foreign ports to this city, Our leading dealers in dry goods, ribbons, hosiery, carpets, liquors, crockery, &c., say that they are importing from five to six times as much as they have ever done before at the same season of the year. It is only within a year that Chicago merchants have ever thought of keeping their own exclusive agents in Europe. Now, at least four prominent houses keep either members of their firms or an exclusive agent in Europe, the greater portion of the year, moving from one mar ket to another, now buying German cloths, now at Basle for ribbons and hosiery, and again in England 60 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: for carpets, &c. During the last four weeks a thou sand tons of railroad iron have been received in Chicago, direct from England via Montreal, and we hear of another thousand tons afloat for here, that will arrive within the next few weeks. When we say that our merchants are importing six times as many goods as ever before, at this season of the year, it is not meant that their stock is six times as great —though there is a vast increase also in that respect —but mainly that they are buying six times as many of their goods direct from the foreign manufacturer, instead of buying them of middlemen in New York and other Eastern cities. As far as direct trade with Europe is concerned, this great change has been effected by relieving the Chicago importing merchant from the necessity of doing his warehousing in New York city instead of at home. The Chicago merchant now pays nothing until his goods arrive here, he gives his bond here, the goods are appraised here, and he can withdraw any portion of them from warehouse on any day and have them in his store without the former delays. In this connection it may be mentioned that the increased demand for Government bonded warehouse room has increased so much, that the Michigan Southern Company are now building a bonded warehouse on Harrison street, and the company, in conjunction with others to New York, intend to bond their lines, in order to make a specialty of carrying goods imported direct to Chicago. But it is not only with Europe that the direct foreign trade of Chicago has been so ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 61 extensively increased this fall. The increase of the tea trade exceeds even that of the dry goods trade. It is a fact of great significance in this connection, that whereas the total quantity of teas in Govern ment bonded warehouses in this city, on September 30th, 1870, was only 2,500 chests, it is now nearly 15,000 chests, all of which has come direct on through bills of lading from Hong Kong and Yoko hama, through San Francisco to Chicago, without a day's unnecessary delay, and there are further re ceipts of teas now via the North Western and Rock Island Railroads every day. This great increase of the direct importing trade of this city has been mainly within the past two months, as will be seen by the following table of the amount of duties paid at this custom house, during each month of the first quarter of the current fiscal year, as compared with the same time last year, viz: July, . August, . September, Total, 1870. $63,141 76,803 55,909 1871. $70,375 87,608 174,706 $185,853 $332,689 It will be seen that the amount of duties paid during September this year were over three times as great as during the same time last year. " As regards the tea, trade there seems no reason why Chicago will not become the great distributing 62 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION—CHICAGO: market for all the central part of the continent, be tween the Allegheny and the Kocky mountains. As prominent cities as Cincinnati and St. Louis will, of course, do a portion, but the superior facilities of Chicago, in her constantly increasing network of railroads, are practically acknowledged by the New York tea houses, four or five of which have their . resident agents here, receive their teas here via the overland route, and distribute them from this point all over the northwest. These agents receive but few teas from New York, and there is no longer any question of competition, as regards the route by which the teas consumed in the States west of Pennsylva nia and New York shall come. The trans-continen- tal railroad on the one hand, and the increased facilities for direct importation on the other, are revolutionizing the foreign trade of the United States. We see evidence of this not only in the increased direct importations of Chicago merchants, but in the exports of products. As instances, the steamship Great Republic, which sailed from San Francisco, on October 1st, took 21,000 barrels of flour for Hong Kong; the ship Eingleader, which sailed the same day, took $100,000 worth more for the same port; and every regular Pacific steamer now takes more or less flour. If China and Japan continue to take our breadstufFs, at that rate, it will leave less to go to England, and will have the effect to make a better average of prices for the grain produced in the northwest." DU . «Ar t MICHÍCÍN «Hr. MAP SHOWING LOCATION OF PROMINENT BUILDINGS BURIED. 1. Sherman Hou»e. 2. Br¡¡—' House. 3. Metropolitan Hotel. 4. Cha iber of Commerce. £. Rep ' an Office 6. M< s J elry Stor and Baker & Co EnD mp Rooms 7. Mat n H j. 8. Adams' Express Office 9. A M N. E Mr-sOffir 10. U. S Exprea 11. Tremont House. 12. Opera House. St. James' Hotel. IS. Field & Leiter': Store. 14. First National Bank Building, 15. Chicago Times. 16. Booksellers' Row. Western News Co. 17. Drake & Farwell Biock 18. Tribune Building 19. Custom House and Post Office. 20. Evening Post and Staats Zd'tung 21. Farwdll Hall 22. Bigelow Hotel. 23. Academy of Fine Arts. 24. Palmer House 25. Ogden Hotel. 26. Jones1 School. 27. Michigan Southern & Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Depot. 28. Ml. Central R, R Land Department, 29. III.Cen.R.R Depot & Freight House 30 Galena Depot. Chicago Ss N. W. R, R 31. Historical Society, 82. Turner Hall. 33. M. Ogden's Hou„e 34. Water-Works dM . °S. Lynn Block. Not 1 36. P. F W.&C. R. R D 87. Milwaukee R R De N«rth-Western R K 38. C. &N. W.R.R. Den 39. Adams' House. 40. Massasoit House 41 City Hotel Burna3. T" ., , CI.. A; ¿Vßi Kw 42. McVick 43. Armnr 44 Gt.. 46. Elev«. «Jt. A. Met1-, j Sí 1 il. B. Elei - . Brii Tur r A. j.ot Church, (Waba h A i the River ?a ing.N &S , at Wa a &W. ' 1. Sherman House. 2. Briggs' House. 3. Metropolitan Note!. 4. Chamber of Commerce. 8. Republican Office. 6. Meller's Jeweiry Store, Co.'s Engraving Room£ 7. Matteson House, 8. Adams' Express Office, 9. A. M. N. Express Office 10. U. S. Express Office. Set Burned. [er Tower. UL lot. Not Burned. ¡ot. Chicago & Not Burned. it. Not Burned. 43. McVicker's Theatre. 43. Armory Police Court. 44. Gas-Works. 45. Elevator A. A. Methodist Church. (Wabash Avenue.) Not Burned. B. Elevator. Not Burned. X- Bridges Burned. Tunnels under the River at Lasalle St., connecting^. & S. sides; at Wash ington St., connecting S.&VV. sides. ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 63 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION. The Fire of Saturday. ABOUT 10 o'clock on Saturday night, Octobei 7th, 1871, a fire broke out on South Clinton street,- just north of Van Buren street. A fierce wind from the southwest was blowing at the time, and despite the exertions of the firemen it destroyed all the buildings within the area bounded by Adams on the north, Clinton on the west, Van Buren on the south, and the river on the east, excepting $, few valueless buildings on the northwest corner of Clinton and Adams, a row of frame buildings on Van Buren street from Clinton .to Canal, and Murray Nelson's grain elevator, which was situated east of Canal street, and near Adams street bridge. The buildings» destroyed were not very valuable, being mostly two-story frame buildings occupied as laborers' boarding houses. In one of these was a corpse of a woman, and her friends were holding a "wake" over her remains. The friends fled before the fire, leaving the dead body to be consumed. Between Canal street and the river were a number of coal yards, and the extensive lumber yard of Chapin & Foss. The piles of coal and lumber burned all day on Sunday, and when night set in the sky reflected the brilliant light of the blazing mass below. The loss of property , by this fire which swept an area of about sixteen acres was 64: THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: about $300,000. The neighborhood was visited during the day by thousands of persons. About one hundred families were turned out of their homes by the fire. The Fire of Sunday in the West Division. At precisely half-past nine o'clock on Sunday evening the fire-bell sounded an alarm, and simulta neously a bright light appeared in 'the southwest. To the great majority of persons this appeared but a revival of the fire of the previous night. It was just as the' churches were out and the congregations were returning to their homes. No special attention was given to the fire, and many hundreds of families, after noticing that it was at a great distance, went to their homes, and later retired to sleep, all uncon scious that the demon was unloosed which would disturb and expel them before many hours. Stand ing to the west of the territory covered by the fire of Saturday, we readily discovered that the alarm was not called for by any revival of the embers of that conflagration./ Proceeding directly to the scene we discovered that it had originated in a cow-shed in the rear of a one-story frame building, on the northeast corner of Dekoven and Jefferson streets. The origin is a mystery. The story that an attempt to milk a cow by the light of a kerosene lamp, had ended in the overturning of the lamp, and the rapid firing of the cow-shed, is now known to be untrue. It must always be borne in mind that for thirty-six ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 65 hours previously the wind had been blowing with unusual violence from the southwest. The flames immediately spread to the adjoining sheds in the interior of the block, the wind bearing them far in advance. By reference to the map it will be seen that from the initial point of the fire to the water works, the direction is directly northeast, and in the light of what followed from the first outburst, it seemed as if the fire and the gale had united to mow a breadth of desolation from the one place to the other in the shortest possible space of time. From the beginning the fire rushed forward in a varying breadth, directly before the wind in a literal air line, to the destruction of the water works. Be fore the firemen had reached the scene, the fire had crossed Taylor street, thence into Forquer street, burning a breadth of from fifty to eighty feet, leaving behind it .the blazing buildings to spread the conflagration to the right and the left. It then reached Clinton street, just south of Polk street, still confining its breadth to two buildings, some times to three; but cutting diagonally through the blocks, it included within its path the ends of many other buildings. The firemen posted themselves in front of the fire, struggling to arrest it, but their labors were in vain ; they might as well have at- empted to arrest the wind itself because at this time the wind and the fire were the same thing, the blaze iften reaching across the streets, and burning brands were carried far in advance of the actual fire. There had been no rain in Chicago, of any account, for 66 THE.GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: nearly six weeks, and the wooden buildings, tene ments, lumber piles, and sidewalks, were as dry as paper and burned as readily. Though the wind carried the original fire directly before it, it also, by its eddies and currents, extended it. Though the northwest and southeast corners of the block, where the fire began, escaped destruction, it turned back to Jefferson street at a point two blocks north, and burned all the buildings on the east side of that street to a point one-half a block north of Harrison street. To the east it extended gradually from the point where it crossed Taylor street to Canal street, and thence to the river, which it crossed at Polk street, destroying the bridge, and setting fire to the extensive works of the Chicago Hide and Leather Company. The main fire—the advance guard after crossing Polk street—soon reached the rear of several planing mills and factories, the buildings being all of wood ; these furnished the peculiar aid this fire needed to make it irresistible. It would lift a bundle of blazing shingles and bearing it upon the wind would deposit them on the roofs of buildings far in ad vance. The line of the continuous fire was thus considerably hastened. The result was as if a corps of men were firing the city at various points simul taneously. As the continuous fire came along before the wind, it found buildings already ablaze and still others in advance already ignited. While this was going on in advance the fire at the base was ex tending to the east, and as each building caught, ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 67 the wind carried the flames forward, making the breadth of the destruction forever wider and wider. In this way all the area between Jefferson street and the river north of Polk and south of Van Buren street was soon enveloped in flames. The scene at this time was grand to the spectator. The wind seemed to gain fresh intensity. The blazing brands were thick, and their flights long. Before the fire had reached Van Buren street, blazing faggots} shingles and other brands had commenced falling in the North Division. At 11.30 o'clock the ad vance of the fire reached Van Buren street, the south line of the fire of the previous night, and here had there been no more than an ordinary gale, it would have stopped. Before it were the broad six teen acres which had been swept of its combustibles the night before. When the fire enveloped the buildings on Van Buren street, there was behind it in full blaze a conflagration covering perhaps 150 acres—the food for which was planing and saw mills, dwellings, barns, factories and shops, lumber yards, coal depots, all of the most combustible •haracter. It was, notwithstanding its terrors, a brilliant spectacle. The smoke, except immediately in front, did not obscure the view, but everywhere was a broad sheet of flame leaping, darting, and sending forth, as if from some grand pyrotechnic preparation, the most brilliant, dazzling meteors of living fire. Here was the grand turning point in the confla gration. Here the fire, under ordinary circumstan- 68 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: ces, would have stopped; here it had consumed everything that had been in its path. To the north lay the plain laid waste the night before, and hav ing nothing to consume except the coal, already on fire, and the Nelson elevator at its northeast ex tremity. To the west was the wind ; to the east was the river. But afar off to the northeast beyond two rivers, beyond the great structures of hotels, banks and warehouses, beyond the towering walls of marble and of brick, away off in the northwest, two miles distant, were the water works, the only possible human agent that could save the city from annihilation, and to that the grand objective point of wind and fire, this conflagration seemed deter mined to reach. Precisely at midnight, a blazing board carried by the wind fell upon a cluster of miserable shanties, striking them just at the point where the roofs of several made a sort of junction, affording a secure lodgement. These buildings were on Adams and Franklin streets, east of the river, a third of a mile from any burning building of any size west of the river. In a moment a blaze sprang up instantly, and the wind carried it to the northeast, leaving between the two fires the large building used for police business by the city, and known as the Armory, and the buildings of the south side Gas Company, various coal yards, and numerous other buildings, large and small, in the area between the two fires. The progress of the fire was immediately forward. The blazing torches were carried by the wind far in advance, and where- ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 69 ever they fell they produced a fire. From that point until the fire crossed Madison street, there were .everal distinct fires, widely separated,burning simul taneously, with large blocks of buildings between. But the continuous fire followed, overtaking these advance conflagrations, gathering new strength from them, and forever sending forth its pioneers—forever \eeping its due course to the water works, the only hope of thp doomed city. The operations of the fire after it had crossed or jumped the river from Canal and Van Buren to Adams and Franklin, belong to the history of the South Division. But, from a point of observation to the windward of the fire, the scene was, perhaps, unequalled. No thought of any serious devastation had occurred to any one, until the fire crossed the river. Until this time no one had supposed it would amount to any more than the destruction of the frame buildings which it had engulfed. All had anticipated that it would stop upon reaching the boundaries of the district burned the night before ; but the general alarm which was now rung Dut in all parts of the city, the blazing lights which marked its path for over nearly a mile in one di rection, and half a mile in another, had aroused all Tiicago. The people of the comparatively remote North Division were aroused, and for an hour, gazed upon the extraordinary spectacle spread out o the south and west of them, hardly admitting that there was any danger to them. But when the fre burst forth in Franklin street, at Adams ; when 70 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION—CHICAGO. it rushed as in a field of straw, through the alleys and intervening streets to Wells, and eventually to Madison; when hlazing hoards and lumps of fire were falling thick and heavy on Lake and Water streets; and far away in the North Division, when fires broke out at intervening distances, far in ad vance of the main fire ; when, standing to the west, there could be plainly distinguished five distinct fires in the route of the wind, each a little in advance of the other, and behind all these a sheet of con tinuous flame, reaching a mile and a half to the southwest, the effect so far exceeded any previous observation as to defy description. It was sublime, yet terrific ; magnificent, yet appalling. Even while the brave watchman in the court house tower made the old bell peal forth its warning notes, the flames had not only reached the stately build ings facing the square, but had broken out on the north side of the river, beyond State street, and were making their way directly to the water works. In the meantime, the fire on the West Division had gone on in its lateral extensions. Jefferson street runs due north ; the wind, in its fury had carried the fire far to the north and to the east ; but this did not save Jefferson street. The east side of that street presents remarkable instances of the course of the fire, governed only by the wind. There are a number of houses left on that side of the street, the fire having burned all the adjoining buildings, and then, passing to the rear of these, re WHERE THE FIRE BEGAN. OODEN'S RESIDENCE. ONLY RESIDENCE LEFT ON M OF BURNED DISTRICT. IORTH DIVISION ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 73 turned to Jefferson street, north of them, again. It was not until eleven o'clock next day, fifteen hours after the beginning of the fire, that the half dozen buildings to the north and east of the one where the fire originated, were burned. The fire had biirned back to them in the very teeth of the wind. It is also remarkable, that though Jefferson street in that part of the city is very narrow, not exceeding forty feet, including both sidewalks, not one house on the west line of the street was burned, and none of them were scorched or blistered. The wind in its force had blown back the fire from the street and had also blown back the heat. Until the destruction of the water works, the people in the neighborhood, to the windward of the fire, had fought and resisted it by the use of water, but when the great engines ceased to pump, all means of defence were lost, and the city was at the mercy of the wind. In the reaction of the fire, after it commenced on the South Division, the bridge over the river at Adams street, was burned, and also Nelson's elevator, which had es caped the night before. The South Division. There was probably not a person in the South Division who imagined for a moment that the fire would extend beyond the portion of the city in which it originated. Indeed, when it approached the burned district of the previous Saturday night's conflagration, there was a universal sigh of relief, 5 74 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: for here certainly it would be stayed, notwithstand ing the furious wind. The hope was a futile one. At just twenty minutes past twelve, a huge blazing brand was blown across the river. Onward it sped, like a fiery messenger of doom, and lodged upon the roof of a three-story tenement house, which was as dry as a tinder box. The roof was immediately in a blaze, and almost instantly every part of the build ing emitted furious jets of flame. The house was about midway between Adams, Monroe, Wells and Market streets, and surrounded by one and two- story wooden houses, and alleys littered with all sorts of inflammable materials. Through this wooden nest, the fire spread with inconceivable rapidity and soon attacked another group of low, wooden build ings known as Conley's Patch, densely covered with saloons, tumble-down hovels and sheds, and peopled by the lowest class in the city. For years this spot had been the terror of the neighborhood be yond it, and had been stained with every conceiva ble crime. The male residents were absent at the fire in the West Division, and as the flames seized upon it, squalid women and children rushed out in droves. Most of them escaped, but undoubtedly some were overtaken by the fire and miserably perished. Eight and left the flames spread as fast as a man could wallt, and soon the Gas Works and huge piles of coal in the yard took fire, and a red glare shone all over the doomed city. Down the south line of Monroe street, it sped with lightning- like rapidity. A fearful mass of flames leaped the ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 75 street, lapping up John V. Farewell's stables and those of the United States Express Company, and burning many of their noble animals. Across Wells street it sped, sweeping everything before it and driving out hundreds of women and child ren, who fled in all directions without saving a scrap of household property. The fire was now beyond the control of the firemen and henceforth was to go on its way with no one to check it Northward and eastward the flames progressed crossing Mad ison street and extending east to La Salle street, at the same time destroying stone, brick and wooden structures alike. Another column of fire crossed the river further north and now it sped on its way with the same terrible power and swiftness. Great masses of flame from each division leaped far in advance of the main columns, and kindling new fires returned to com plete the work of destruction. < In almost an incon ceivably short space of time the entire tract of the South Division, between the river and La Salle street, was in flames, and south of Van Buren,-the fire was working steadily against the wind, taking the splen did depot of the Michigan Southern Eailroad for a starting point, south to Harrison street, thence de stroying a narrow strip along the river as far south as Taylor street. The two main columns sent out detachments which entered every street with the regularity of an advancing army. Standing at the lake end of any one of the eleven streets between the river and 76 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: Michigan avenue, the spectator saw a furious shower of livid coals and fire brands sweep round the corners, followed by a sheet of dazzling flame, which would suck into the windows and instantly fire the buildings. At the same time the fire en tering the alleys burst through the rear of buildings on either side, swept through them, and dashing through the fronts united in one solid, writhing, twisting column of fire, which would shoot up into the air a hundred feet, and then, seized by the wind, leap to roofs in the next block and fire them. The progress was aided by huge, blazing brands, which the blasts would send crashing through win dows into the interiors of buildings, or into awnings, setting everything afire adjacent to them. The very goods which were tumbled into the streets aided the march of the destroyer. The main column of the fire had now crossed Washington street. The Chamber of Commerce, the Telegraph Office and the lofty insurance blocks were all in flames. The Court House bell rung peal after peal, ringing its own knell, for the flames speadily leaped to its dome and fired it. For a few minutes its blazing trellis work, sheeted with flames, stood out against the sky in splendid relief. Then in every, window at the same instant, an ominous glare appeared. The flames burst out, the dome fell in, and then a crash told that the interior walls had yielded and the Court House was no more. The Sherman House was the next to go, and crossing Clark street, Hooley's Opera House, Wood's Mu- ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 71 ¿eum, the Matteson House, the Tremont House and whole squares of palatial business blocks melted away before the destroyer as snow melts in water. In the meantime, still another column was sweep ing over the South Division. The great Ogden House, which covered an entire square, and which was nearly finished, was a mass of flames from basement to roof, and from its towering height and grand proportions, presented a sublime spectacle. The new and beautiful Bigelow House was next wrapped in the flames, and so, on they went, taking successively the new Honore and Shepherd blocks on Dearborn street. At this point, for a time, the solid walls of the post office presented a barrier. Thwarted here, the flames spread down Clark street to the north, and then, turning Madison, came up the south line of the street like a whirlwind, and, turning Dearborn, melted away the Eeynold's block almost immediately, bringing them to the north side of the post office ; while another column, coming east in Monroe, attacked it on the west side. Before this joint attack, it yielded, and although its walls stood bravely its interior was soon gutted. When the flames turned the corner of Madison and Dearborn streets, a huge column shot across diagonally and fired the Dearborn Theatre, further north, and from this point both right and left destruction spread anew. To the left, it went down to Washington street, and again crossing, caught the roof of Crosby's Opera House. In almost the time it takes to write these lines, that noble build- 78 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO : ing, with the handsomest operatic auditorium in the country, with its wealth of bronzes, paintings, statuary and rich ornamentations, was destroyed, while the St. James Hotel adjoining it on the east, which had two or three times before stood the test of fire, at last yielded and fell. To the right, the flames quickly reached the corner of Madison and Dearborn streets, opposite the Tribune office. A vacant lot, formerly occupied by the Dearborn School, intervened, but the fire quickly passed, round it and came up on the "other side. The Tribune building, one of the noblest structures in the city, on the southeast corner of Dearborn and Madison streets, had already stood the test bravely. The fire came clown on the* south side of it from Monroe street and dashed against its walls in vain. It was the key to that vicinity, and if it should stand, much valuable property it was hoped might yet be saved. But far to the south the flames had seized the huge eight-story Palmer House, and came sweep ing northward with fearful rapidity to McVicker's Theatre, separated from the east wall of the Tribune building only by a narrow alley. This new onset of the fire was irresistible. From the other three attacks, it had become heated to an in tense degree and was ready to kindle at the slight est sparká which should penetrate to its inte rior. Its roof yielded. The iron shutters on the alley side, bent by the fire, sprung out of place, and speedily the whole interior was in a mass of smoul dering ruin. Of the strength of the structure, it ITS FAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 79 may be said that on the day after the fire the walls were still standing. Some of the floors were intact, and in the basement the presses, boiler and engines sustained little damage beyond the burning of the wood work, and a slight warping of some of the iron work. At Field & Leiter's mammoth establishment, on the corner of State and Washington streets, a deter mined effort was made to save the building but it was useless. The flames attacked it from the north and eastwardly in the rear, and it soon yielded. There was still a narrow strip bounded by Wash ington street on the north, Harrison street on the south, State street on the we&t, and the lake on the east, two blocks in width and about half a mile in length, not yet burned. The fire to traverse it must burn against the wind, and strong hopes were entertained that this tract might yet escape. But all the heavy warehouses at the north termini of these streets were in flames. There was no water to check it, for before this time, eight o'clock on Tuesday morning, the water works in the North Division had been destroyed. Slowly but surely the fire worked up these streets, right and left. West of State street, the fire, hours before, had reached Harrison and stopped. On ' Third and Fourth avenues buildings were torn down. On State street and Wabash avenue, buildings were levelled to the ground by General Sheridan's orders; and the splendid manner in which the Wabash avenue Methodist Church, one of the oldest struc- 80 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION—CHICAGO: tures in the city, resisted, also held the fire in check at the corner of this avenue and Harrison street. On Michigan avenue the fire did not reach Harrison. There were no buildings on the east side of it. The west burned slowly, the last building consumed being the Terrace block. Hon. J. Y. Scammon resided in the extreme south house, and between this and Congress street was a vacant lot. Here the fire was checked, and those living south of Harrison street breathed more freely. Prominent Buildings. Let us glance for a moment at the principal build ings destroyed by the south side fire, for in them was contained almost the entire business wealth of Chicago. The list includes the Michigan and Il linois Central Depots, two of the finest passenger structures in the United States, and their adjacent freight depots ; the old and familiar Tremont House, Sherman House, Briggs House, Matteson House, St. James Hotel, Nevada House, Adams House, Mas- sasoit House, Girard House, Metropolitan House, all substantial brick or stone hotels, the magnificent Ogden House, covering an entire square, the walls of which had already reached the top story, the new Bigelow House, which had just received $80,000 ivorth of new furniture, and the new eight-story Palmer House, on State street, which had been in successful operation a few months ; every bank build ing in Chicago except the small Twenty-second Street ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 81 Savings Bank. Every insurance building; seven daily and numerous weekly newspaper offices; Crosby's Opera House with its brilliant auditorium, the finest in the United States ; McVicker's Theatre which had just been completely renovated and had been open but a few weeks ; Hooley's pretty little bijou of an Opera House ; Wood's Museum with its large collection of curiosities, and the Dearborn Theatre which had been the home of minstrelsy ; the great book house of the Western News Com pany, S. C. Griggs & Co. and W. B. Keen & Cooke; the First Methodist Church ; St. Mary's (Catholic) ; First and Second Presbyterian ; Trinity (Episcopal) ; St. Paul's (Universalist) ; and the Swedenborgian Church, the Academy of Design, with its fine gal lery of paintings, by American and foreign artists, and its splendid collection of casts from the antiques; the Chamber of Commerce, only the day before the scene of busy life and traffic ; the Telegraph Office ; the Court House, with all the valuable city and county records; the Post Office and Custom House; the Armory, the Jewish Synagogue ; such magnifi cent stone blocks as the Ten-ace, Armour, Shepherd, Honore, McCormick's Merchant's Insurance, Orien tal, JEtna, Birch, Drake, Farwell, Lombard, Stur- gess, Stone, Arcade and Hubbard; Crosby's Music Hall, Metropolitan Hall, so intimately associated with the early history of Chicago, in music, litera ture and art ; Farwell Hall, one of the most elegant and spacious auditoriums in the country, and hun dreds of other palatial structures. 82 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: The scene from, the Tribune Office. The sight from the upper windows of the Tribune office, a few hours before that structure was consumed, was one of the wildest and grandest ever seen by mortal eye. About one o'clock, a cloud of black smoke rose in the southwest, which, colored by the lurid glare of the flames, presented a remarkable picture. Due west another column of smoke and fire rose, while the north was lighted with the flying cinders and destructive brands. In ten minutes more the whole horizon to the west, as far as could be seen from the windows, was a fire cloud with flames leaping up along the whole line, just showing their heads and subsiding from view like tongues of snakes. Five minutes more wrought a change. Peal after peal was sounded from the Court House bell. The fire was on La Salle street, had swept north, and the Chamber of Commerce began to belch forth smoke and flame from windows and ventilators. The east wing of the Court House was alight; then the west wing; the tower was blazing on the south side, and at two o'clock the whole building was in a sheet of flame. The Chamber of Commerce burned with a bright steady flame. The smoke in front grew denser for a minute or two, and then bursting into a blaze from Monroe to Madison streets, proclaimed that Farwell Hall and the buildings north and south of it were on fire. At 2.10 o'clock the Court House tower was a glo- ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 83 rious sight. At 2.15 o'clock the tower fell, and in two minutes more a crash announced the fall of the interior of the building. The windows of the office were hot, and the flames gave a light almost dazzling in its intensity. It became evident that the whole block from Clark to Dearborn, and from Monroe to Madison, must go; that the block from Madison to Washington must follow; Portland Block was ablaze, while everything from Clark to Dearborn, on Washington street, was on fire. At 2.30 the fire was half-way down Madisou street ; the wind blew a hurricane ; the firebrands were hurled along the ground with incredible force against everything that stood in their way. Then the flames shot up in the rear of Reynold's block, and the Tribune building seemed doomed. An effort was made to save the files and other valuables, which were moved into the composing room, but the building stood like a rock, lashed on both sides by raging waves of flame, and it was abandoned. It was a fire proof building ; and there were not a few who expected to see it stand the shock. The greatest possible anxiety was felt for it, as it was the key to the whole block, including McVicker's Theatre, and protected State street and Wabash and Michigan avenues, north of Madison street. When the walls of Reynold's block fell, and Cobb's building was no more, the prospects of its standing were good. Several persons were up-stairs and found it cool and pleasant—quite a refreshing haven from the 84 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: hurricane of smoke, dust and cinders that assailed the eyes. Meanwhile the fire had swept along northward and eastward. The Briggs House, the Sherman House, the Tremont House, had fallen in a few minutes. The bridges from Wells to Rush street were burning; the Northwestern Depot was in a blaze, and from Van Buren street on the south, far over into the north side, from the river to Dearborn street, the whole country was a mass of smoke, flames and ruin. It seems as if the city east of Dearborn street and to the river would be saved. The hope was strengthened when the walls fell of Honore's noble block without igniting that standing opposite. The vacant lot to the south seemed to protect it, and at 7 o'clock on Monday morning the whole of the region designated was considered saved, no fire being visible except a smouldering fire in the barber's shop under the Tribune office, which being confined in brick walls, was not con sidered dangerous. Every effort was made to quench it, but the water works had burned, and the absence of water, while it announced how far north the flames had reached, forbade any hope of quenching the fire below. A Turning Point. There was one remarkable turning point in this fire, in which everything was remarkable ; and that was at Madison street bridge, where every one ex- ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 85 pected to see the fire re-cross to the west side, and commence upon a new path of destruction. Directly across this bridge were the Oriental Flouring Mills, which were saved from destruction by the immense steam force pump attached to the mill, by which a powerful stream of water was thrown upon the ex posed property, hour after hour. This pump un doubtedly saved the West Division from a terrible conflagration, for if the Oriental Mills had burned, the combustible nature of the adjoining buildings and adjacent lumber yards would have insured a scene of devastation too heart-sickening for con templation. Workings of the Fire. The scene presented when the fire was at its height in the South Division, is well nigh indescribable. The huge stone and brick structures melted before the fierceness of the flames as a snow-flake melts and disappears in water, and almost as quickly. Six- story buildings would take fire and disappear forever from sight, in five minutes by the watch. In nearly every street the flames would enter at the rears of buildings, and appear simultaneously at the fronts. For an instant the windows would redden, then great billows of fire would belch out, and meeting each other, shoot up into the air a vivid, quivering column of flame, and poising itself in awful majesty, hurl itself bodily several hundred feet and kindle new buildings. The intense heat created new currents 86 TEE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO I of air. The general direction of the wind was from the southwest. This main current carried the fire straight through the city, from southwest to north east, cutting a swath a mile in width, and then, as if maddened at missing any of its prey, it would turn backward in its frenzy and face the fierce wind, mowing one huge field on the west of the north division, while in the south division it also doubled on its track at the great Union Central Depot, and burned half a mile southward in the very teeth of the gale—a gale which blew a perfect tornado, and in which no vessel could have lived on the lake. The flames sometimes made glowing diagonal arches across the streets, traversed by whirls of smoke. At times, the wind would seize the entire volume of fire on the front of one of the large blocks, detach it entirely and hurl it in every direction, in fierce masses of flame, leaving the building as if it had been un touched—for an instant only, however, for fresh gusts would once more wrap them in sheets of fire. The whole air was filled with glowing cinders, looking like an illuminated snow storm. At times capricious flur ries of the gale would seize these flying messengers of destruction and dash them down to the earth, hur rying them over the pavements, with lightning-like rapidity, firing everything they touched. Inter spersed among these cinders were larger brands, cov ered with flame, which the wind dashed through windows and upon awnings and roofs, kindling new fires. Strange, fantastic fires of blue, red and green, played along the cornices of the buildings. On the ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 87 banks of the river, red hot walls fell hissing into the water, sending up great columns of spray and ex posing the fierce white furnace of heat, which they had enclosed. The huge piles of coal emitted dense billows wf smoke which hurried along far above the flames below. If the sight was grand and over powering, the sound was no less so. The flames crackled, growled and hissed. The lime stone, of which many of the buildings were composed, as soon as it was exposed to heat flaked off, the fragments flew in every direction, with a noise like that of continuous discharges of musketry. Almost every instant was added the dull, heavy thud of falling walls, which shook the earth. But above all these sounds, there was one other which was terribly fas cinating, it was the steady roar of the advancing flames—the awful diapason in this carnival of fire. It was like nothing so Ynuch as the united roar of ~ the ocean with the howl of the blast on some stormy, rocky coast. Of the destructive power of this fire, Hon. Wm. B. Ogden, in a letter to a member of his jfamily, briefly but veiy succinctly says : " How it could be that buildings, men or anything could encounter and withstand the torrent of fire without utter destruc tion, is explained by the fact that the fire was accom panied by the fiercest tornado of wind ever known to blow here, and it acted like a perfect blow-pipe,driving the brilliant blaze hundreds of feet with so perfect a combustion, that it consumed the smoke, and its heat was so great that fire proof buildings sunk be- I 88 THE GEEAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: fore it, almost as readily as wood. Nothing but earth could withstand it." Language can hardly convey to the reader an idea of the terrible scenes in the streets. The struggle of humanity was more fearful even than the horrors of the fire. In the latter there was an element of the beautiful, even of the sublime, which continually enforced itself, notwithstanding the wide-spread de struction it was causing ; but in the various phases developed by this struggling, toiling, and despairing tide of humanity in the streets, there was nothing which would give pleasure. « Street Scenes. Great calamities always develop latent passions, emotions, and traits of character, hitherto concealed. In this case, there was a world-wide difference in the manner in which men witnessed the destruction of all about them. Some were philosophical, even merry, and witnessed the loss of their own property with a calm shrug of the shoulders, although the loss was to bring upon them irretrievable ruin. Others clenched their teeth together, and witnessed the sight with a sort of grim defiance. Others, who were strong men, stood in tears, and some became fairly frenzied with excitement, and rushed about in an aimless manner, doing exactly what they would not have done in their cooler moments, and almost too delirious to save their own lives from the general wreck. Of course, the utmost disorder and BOOKSELLERS' ROW, STATE STREET. — — -^ ' _E=_ — " ^^~ - =• 11 CLARK STREET, SOUTH FROM WASHINGTON'STREET. ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 91 excitement prevailed, for nearly every one was, in some degree, demoralized, and in the absence both of gas and water, had given up the entire city to its doom. Mobs of men and women rushed wildly from street to street, screaming, gesticulating, and shouting, crossing each other's paths, and intercept ing each other as if just escaped from a mad house. The yards and sidewalks of Michigan and Wabash avenues, for a distance of two railes south of the fire limit in the South Division, were choked with household goods of every description—the contents of hovels, and the contents of aristocratic residences, huddled together in inextricable confusion. Elegant ladies, who hardly supposed themselves able to lift the weight of a pincushion, astonished themselves by dragging trunks, and carrying heavy loads of pictures and ornamental furniture, for a long dis tance. Some adorned themselves with all their ewelry, for the purpose of saving it, and struggled along through the crowds, perhaps only to lose it at the hands of some ruffian. Delicate girls, with red eyes and blackened faces, toiled, hour after hour, to save household goods. Poor women staggered along with their arms full of homely household wares, and mattresses on their heads, which some times took fire as they were carrying them. Every few steps along the avenues were little piles of household property, or, perhaps, only a trunk, guarded by children, some of whom were weeping, and others laughing and playing. Here was a man itting upon what he had saved, bereft of his senses, 92 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION—-CHICAGO: looking at the motley throng with staring, vacant eyes ; here, a woman, weeping and tearing her hair, and calling for her children in utter despair ; here, children, hand-in-hand, separated from their parents, and crying with the heart-breaking sorrow of child hood ; here, a woman, kneeling on the hot ground, and praying, with her crucifix before her. One family had saved a coffee-pot and chest of drawers, and raking together the falling embers in the street, were boiling their coffee as cheerily as if at home. Barrels of liquor were rolled into the streets from the saloons. The heads were speedily knocked in, and men and boys drank to excess, and staggered about the streets. Some must have miserably perished in the flames, while others wandered away into the unburned district, and slept a drunken sleep upon the sidewalks and in door-yards. Thieves pursued their profession with perfect impunity. Lake street and Clark street were rich with treas ure, and hordes of thieves entered the stores, and flung out goods to their fellows, who bore them away without opposition. Wabash avenue was literally choked up with goods of every description. Every one who had been forced from the burning portion of the division had brought some articles with them, and been forced todrop some, or all of them. Valu able oil paintings, books, pet animals, musical instruments, toys, mirrors, bedding, and ornamental and useful articles of every kind, were tramp led under foot by the hurrying crowds. The streets leading southward from the fire were jammed with ITS PAST, 'PRESENT AND FUTURE. 93 vehicles of every description, all driven along at top speed. Not only the goods which were depo sited in the streets took fire, but wagon loads of stuff in transit, also kindled, and the drivers were obliged to cut the traces to save their animals. There was fire overhead, everywhere, not only on the low, red clouds, which rolled along the roofs, but in the air itself, filled with millions of blazing fag gots, that carried destruction wherever they fell. Those who did rescue anything from the burning buildings, were' obliged to defend it at the risk of their lives Expressmen and owners of every de scription of wagons, were extortionate in their de mands, asking from twenty to fifty dollars for con veying a small load a few blocks. Even then there was no surety that the goods would reach their place of destination, as they were often followed by howling crowds, who would snatch the goods from the wagons. Sometimes, thieves got possession of vehicles, and drove off with rich loads of dry goods, jewelry, or merchandise, to out-of-the-way places. A mere tithe of the immense treasures piled up in these palatial warehouses was saved. Character of the Buildings. Many of the buildings destroyed were models of their kind. Among these was the Tribune office, which was probably one of the most complete and elegant newspaper establishments in the world. It was a four-story stone structure, and having nothing 94 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: but brick division walls, and corrugated iron ceil ings, was supposed to be fire proof. It was com pleted in April, 1869, at a cost of about $225,000, and its contents, including furniture, two of Hoe's eight-cylinder presses, boiler and engine, several folding machines, and a complete assortment of miscellaneous machinery, tools and apparatus necessary to carry on a great paper at $100,000 more. As we have already stated, it stood the ordeal bravely, hour after hour, until McVicker's Theatre took fire, penetrating its interior with a terrible volume of flame, which speedily consumed all the wood work and badly cracked and twisted the walls. Its honesty and strength of construction, however., assured the safety of every safe within its walls and partially saved its great presses in the basement. The Crosby Opera House, had been closed during the summer and fall for renovation. Its proprietor had expended $80,000 upon it in ornamentation, upholstery and frescoing. It was to have been re opened to the public on Monday evening, the night after the fire, by the Theodore Thomas orchestral troupe, and on Sunday evening, only an hour or two before the fire, it was lit up for the first time, that its effects might be seen by gas light. It was a gorgeous auditorium and fairly dazzling to the eye, and its frescoes were exquisitely beautiful. The carpet and upholstery were made expressly for it in France, and the bronzes imported for it alone cost $5000. Its illumination a few ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 95 hours later was more brilliant and gorgeous, but alas in a few brief minutes the labor of years had gone. In addition to the auditorium proper, there was connected with the house a cozy little music hall, capable of seating about 1500 people, an art gallery from which most of the paintings, including Bierstadt's great picture of the Yo Semite Valley, and DiefFenback's " Christmas Tree," were saved ; several artist's studios which were involved in com mon ruin, the art rooms of Mr, Moore, a well known connoisseur, filled with pictures, aud one of the most valuable art libraries in the United States ; the Opera House Restaurant, and the three great music houses of Eoof & Cady, Bauer & Co., and J. W. Kimball. Mr. Crosby at one time had contemplated devoting the entire house to business purposes, as being more profitable than art, but under the advice of friends, changed his intentions, and then set himself about the work of making it the handsomest temple of music in the country. He had succeeded in it, and was just about to throw wide open its doors to the public when the fire came • and on the night when its beauty was to be admired, and its dazzling audi torium ring with plaudits, it was a heap of smoulder ing ruins, broken stones, jagged walls and twisted iron. McVicker's Theatre was probably one of the coziest as well as handsomest dramatic establish ments in the country. Like the Opera House it had been closed for the summer and entirely remodelled and refitted throughout at heavy expense. It had 96 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: been open but a few weeks, when the fire occurred, and was already beginning to repay the management for the large sums expended, when the fire came and swept it away. Wood's Museum, on Randolph street, had a wide-spread reputation, for in addition to the theatre proper, it also contained the largest department of curiosities in the West, embracing a superb ornithological and entomological cabinet, choice specimens of minerals, a considerable number of paintings, and many live animals, all of whom perished. The museum was originally established by Col. J. H. Wood, who, after bringing it to a remarkable pitch of success, retired, leaving its con trol in the hands of Mr. Frank Aiken, the theatrical manager. Its success, however, falling off consid erably, Mr. Aiken had retired from it to take the management of Hooley's new Opera House, on Clark street, and early in the fall, Col. Wood re sumed possession. He had just reorganized the curiosity department, and opened the museum with an entirely new company, when the fire closed its doors forever. Hooley's Opera House, owned by the well known Brooklyn manager, was also one of the pleasantest little theatres imaginable. The building was originally known as Bryan Hall, and for many years had been used for concert purposes, and was the scene of some of the sanitary fairs during the war. When Mr. Hooley pu chased the property, he remodelled the entire interior, changing it into a theatre, and like all the others, he had just opened it with a new company, and was in the full ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 97 tide of success. The Dearborn Theatre, on Dear born street was the home of burnt-cork minstrelsy, and had no rival in the United States. Indeed, no other company in this country ever enjoyed the advantage of performing in an elegant and thor oughly appointed theatre. Farwell Hall was the home of the Young Men's Christian Association. It was a spacious and ele gant auditorium, and probably one of the largest in the country, as it was capable of comfortably seating 3,500 people. Its ornamentations and frescos were of the most elaborate kind, and a large and hand some organ had just been, placed upon the stage. Metropolitan Hall, on Randolph street, was one of the oldest in the city. Sixteen years ago, Adelina Patti, then a mere child, had sung in it, and for many years it was intimately associated with the musical progress of Chicago. For some time prior to its burning, the hall and other rooms • in the building had been leased by the Young Men's Library Association, and its destruction involved the loss of their library, which numbered about 20,000 miscellaneous volumes, including a complete set of the British patent office reports, the only set in the country. The loss of the Academy of Design involved a terrible blow to art. The gallery had in it about three hundred paintings by home and foreign artists. Some of the larger ones, including Rothermel's great historical painting of the Battle of Gettysburg, were saved, but the most of them were lost. Nearly all 98 THE GEEAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: the prominent artists in the city made the Academy their home, and they consequently suffered heavily in the destruction of their studios. In the art school connected with the Academy was a large and valuable collection of casts of the most celebrated antiques, which had been presented to the Academy by Hon. J. Young Scammon, all of which were lost. The building occupied by the Academy of Sciences was supposed to be fire proof, but it was utterly destroyed, together with the following valuable cabinets :— " 1. The Audubon Club collection, consisting of 400 finely-mounted specimens of game birds and mammals. " 2. The State collection of insects, recently purchased, of great scientific value for the number of types it contained. " 3. Cabinet of marine shells, purchased of William Cooper, the most complete in the country. " 4. The Florida collection, made by Mr. E. W. Blatch- ford and the Secretary in two winters, containing a full illustration of the zoology of Florida. " 5. The cabinet of minerals recently purchased by subscription of the estate of Col. G. W. Hughes. " 6. Splendid series of specimens illustrative of the natural history of Alaska. " 7. The Smithsonian collection of crustácea, undoubtedly the largest in the world, which filled over 10,000 jars, and contained types of all species described by Prof. Dana and other American authors, and hundreds of others, described only in manuscripts lost in the fire. " 8. The invertebrates of the United States, North Pacific, the majority undefecribed except in manuscripts destroyed. ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 99 "9. Collection of Marine shells of the coast of the United States, made in twenty years' dredgings from Maine to Texas. 1110. Herbarium of the late Dr. F. Scammon, consisting of 6,000 species of plants, with numerous duplicates. " 11. The Scammon collection of ancient Central Ameri can pottery, and other implements, collected by Dr. Van Peston. " 12. The Arctic collection of the late Robert Kennicott from 1859 to 1861 ; one of the most important features of the museum. "The general collection contained 2,000 mammals, 30 mounted skeletons, including 2 mastadons, 10,000 birds 1,000 nests and eggs, 5,000 fishes, 10,000 species of insects with other specimens hi proportion. " The library contained about 2,000 volumes, chiefly the publications of other societies. At the time of the fire the academy was in communication with 15 American, and 100 European institutions. The manuscript department was also valuable." Of the general character of the business structures destroyed, i¿ is only necessary to say that they were of the most solid and massive description, and many of them exceedingly beautiful in an architectural point of view. The entire portion of the South Division which was consumed was almost exclu sively built of stone and brick, but even these substantial structures offered no apparent resistance to the terrific fury of the fire. Indeed the destruc tion of many of the heaviest stone buildings was much more rapid than that of wooden buildings, as 100 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: they had become so thoroughly heated that the moment the flames seized upon and swept through them, they .melted away and disappeared. The intensity and ferocity of the fire has never had a parallel. It twisted iron into all manner of fanciful shapes. In crockery stores, it fused glass and china together in beautiful ' forms, and many sight-seers, after the ruins of such stores had cooled, carried away as relics, great masses of glass, china, mortar, brick and earthen ware, cemented together in the most incongruous manner. In some streets it burned the blocks of the Nicholson pavement to the earth beneath them. It twisted many of the rails of the street railroads into perfect U's, which stood inverted on the pavement. In such seething masses of flames, chasing after each other for twelve hours like billows along a beach, the very Pyramids would have yielded had they received the full force of the fire. In the entire burned portion of the South Division but two buildings were uninjured. One was an unfinished stone structure at the corner of La Salle and Monroe streets. There was no wood work in the building at all, the walls being of stone and the partitions and floors of brick. The buildings adjoining it were small wooden structures, while those opposite to it, though of stone, were veiy shallow, being only about twenty feet in depth and fell almost immediately. The second was the Lind block, which was comparatively isolated. Of the detail of losses in this division it is im possible to speak with any accuracy. It was the very ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 101 heart of Chicago and it contained the larger part of the treasures of the city. In its destruction, every newspaper office in the city, both daily and weekly, every public library, every place of amusement, every bank but one, every first-class hotel with one or two exceptions, the two great depots of the city, every insurance office, seven churches, every public building of any size, the gas works, the post office the custom house, the marine hospital, several Roman Catholic charitable institutions, the city hall, the chamber of commerce, every art gallery, the telegraph offices, nearly every lawyer's and physican's office, all the best restaurants in the city, two thriving commer cial colleges, thousands of business offices, and all the great warehouses of wholesale business, piled to their utmost capacity with goods laid in for the fall trade, were involved in common ruin. The wreck was as complete as the wreck of Pompeii and Hercula- neum. The Feeling of the People. And yet in the face of this universal and crushing disaster, when it seemed as if both banks and in- surance offices were so crippled that utter bank ruptcy and financial ruin must ensue, the faith and undaunted courage of the men who had built Chicago never faltered. While yet the fires were blazing all ibout them, there was but one expression of opinion and that was that the Garden City must be the Phoenix City. On the veiy next morning after the disaster, scarcely a pile of bricks that marked where 102 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO : a building had stood, but bore a rudely extempor ized sign that Messrs. So and So had removed to No. ——, and would continue their business as hereto fore. The newspapers were the first to resume business. On the second day of the fire, the Tribune, Post, and Journal appeared as usual, the others following as rapidly as they could reorganize. The following editorial which appeared in the Tribune in its first issue, reflected the universal sen timent of the people : "CHEER TJP. 11 In the midst of a calamity, without parallel in the world's history, looking upon the ashes of thirty years' ac cumulations, the people of this once beautiful city have resolved that, "CHICAGO SHAH BISE AGAIN. " With woe on every hand, with death in many strange places, with 2 or 300,000,000 of our hard-earned property swept away in a few hours, the hearts of our men and women are still brave, and they look into the future with undaunted courage. As there has never been such a calamity, so has there never been such cheerful fortitude in the face of deso lation and ruin. Thanks to the blessed charity of the good people of the United States, we shall not suffer from hunger or nakedness in this trying time. Hundreds of train loads of provisions are coming forward to us with all speed from every quarter, from Maine to Omaha. Some have already arrived, more will reach us before these words are printed. Three-fourths of our inhabited area is still saved. The water supply will ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 103 be speedily renewed. Steam fire engines from a dozen neighboring cities, have already arrived, and more are on their way. It seems impossible that any further progress should be made by the flames, or that any new fire should break out that would not be instantly extinguished. "Already contracts have been.made for rebuilding some of the burned blocks, and the clearing away of the debris will begin to day, if the heat is so far subdued that the charred material can be handled. Field, Leiter & Co., and John V. Farwell & Co., -will recommence business to-day. The money and securities in the banks are safe. The rail roads are working with all their energies to bring us out of our affliction. The 300,000,000 of capital invested in these roads is bound to see us through. They have been built •with special reference to a great commercial mart at this place and they cannot fail to sustain us. Chicago must rise igain. . " We do not belittle the calamity that has befallen us. The world has probably never 'seen the like of it—certainly not since Moscow was burned. But tbe forces of nature, no less than the forces of reason, require that the exchanges of a great region should be conducted here. Ten, twenty years may be required to reconstruct our fair city, but the capital to rebuild it fire proof will be forthcoming. The losses we have suffered must be borne ; but the place, the time and the men are here, to commence at the bottom and •work up again, not at the bottom neither, for we have credit in every land and the experience of one upbuilding of Chi cago to help us. Let us all cheer up, save what is left yet, and we shall come out right. The Christian world is 'com ing to our relief. The worst is already over. In a few days more all the dangers will be past and we can resume the battle of life with Christian faith and Western grit. Let us all cheer up 1" This was the first public announcement by the press, and it had the ring of the true metal in it. 104 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION—CHICAGO : As a matter of public record, we append the first proclamation of the Mayor of the city : " WHEREAS, In the providence of God, to whose will we humbly submit, a terrible calamity has befallen our city, which demands of us our best efforts for the preservation of order and the relief of the suffering : " BE IT KNOWN, That the faith and credit of the City of Chicago is hereby pledged for the necessary expenses for the relief of the suffering. Public order will be preserved. The police and special police now being appointed will be responsible for the maintenance of the peace and the pro tection of property. " All officers and men of the Fire Department and Health Department will act as special policemen without further notice. The Mayor and Comptroller will give vouchers for all supplies furnished by the different relief committees. The head-quarters of the city government will be at the Congregational Church, corner of Ann and West Washing ton streets. All persons are warned against any acts tending to endanger property. All persons caught in any depreda tions will be immediately arrested. " With the help of God, order and peace and private pro perty shall be preserved. The city government and com mittees of citizens pledge themselves to the community to protect them and prepare the way for a restoration of public and private welfare. " It is believed the fire has spent its force and all will soon be well. E. B. MASON, Mayor." ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 105 The Fire in the North Division. At twelve o'clock the fire crossed the south branch of the river, and entered the South Division at Adams and Franklin streets. Taking a due course ;o the northeast, it found the Court House and Sher- man House in its path. Precisely at twenty minutes, past two o'clock, the roof of the centre building of ;he Court House fell in, and before that event, and about the time that the Sherman House was ablaze, the fire, carried by the wind, had fallen upon the north side, and broke out just north of the bridge, at State street. North of the bridge was a long viaduct of wood, erected on trestle work. West of this roadway, and near the river, was a long, low building, used as a freight depot by the Northwest ern (Galena branch) Railway. To the east was Wright's large livery stable, both buildings of brick, but of shingle or flat roofs. Farther to the east was the Galena elevator, also of wood. The build- mgs, all within the course of the fire, had been ignited by burning brands. To the west and further lorth of the freight depot, were rows of small frame buildings, used as cheap boarding houses, all made of wood. In the alleys, and in the rear of these buildings, were stables, all of wood, dry as tin der, and over all of which the intense heated wind had been blowing for hours, and upon which had seen felling the blazing brands of the fire during its previous advance. Simultaneously, the fire blazed Ill 106 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION—CHICAGO: up in half a dozen places, within a distance from east to west of one hundred and fifty yards. No sooner had these been fairly under way, than the ever growing fire from the southwest cast its brands still farther on in advance ; and long before the fire in the South Division had levelled a path, or was visible in a burning house on the south line of the river, the fire on the north side had gone six or eight blocks through the frame buildings on the north side of the river. As the base of the fire on the south side of the river widened to the west, it crossed the river, to find inflammable materials, all prepared to continue it, and at each new crossing it formed a new line, which swept on with new fury. The work of destruction on the north side was rapid. Though the houses were not built so closely to one another, yet the proportion of them of wood was greater.. There was no longer an attempt to stop its progress. It was its own director. In one hour after its first breaking out it swept onward in an unbroken sheet of flame, extending at its base from Rush street westward to Clark street, burning in a due line to the northwest. It rushed onward, sweep ing everything before it. At half past three o'clock the great breweries near the water works were ablaze, and soon after, engineers and firemen in the water works building, opening the valves, were forced to abandon their posts to save their lives. The roof, which was of shingles, soon burned, the rafters fell in, the machinery was disabled, and Chicago was left without a drop of water. The fire, in the mean- r PALMER HOUSE, COR. STATE AND QUINCr STREETS. ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 109 time, had extended to the eastern point of the South Division, and had burned all on the north side of the iver (Kathbone's stove warehouse excepted). On the east everything had been burned to the lake. The wave of fire which had .swept the breweries and the water works, had expended itself a few rods farther in the lake. But new lines were ad vancing on the west flank. The advance of the fire was in the order known in military practice as echelon, with the right in the advance. As the most advanced reached its destination; the next to the left moved forward, and as fire was forever widen ing and forming new extensions to the left, it was .oon obvious that it would leave nothing unde- itroyed. Persons living north of Chicago avenue and west )f Clark street, considered themselves as safe, be- ;ause they were out of the line of the wind. But îach half hour enlarged the sweep of the wind. When day dawned upon that awful morning, the Eire had worked westward along the river to Wells street, destroying the large elevator, and the Galena Passenger Depot at that point. It rapidly swept all before it, each new line of fire going straight through to the northeast, until it struck the lake. Some fugitives from dwellings destroyed east of Clark street, about five o'clock, were kindly shel- ered by a lady residing on Oak street, near La »alle, and she prepared a bountiful breakfast for hem. By nine o'clock both guests and hostess veré alike fleeing for their lives before the roaring, 110 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: sweeping stream of fire which pursued them. Thus, all day, from morning until midnight of that dread ful day, did the fire rage in that doomed division of the city. Twenty-four hours after it started on De- koven street, it was igniting fresh fires near the northern limits of the city, having in the meantime consumed all within its scope for a distance of four miles north, in an average belt, seven-eighths of a mile wide. The north branch of the river shortly after leav ing the main river, diverges to the west, and is locked in by the west division, no fire coming from the west, a few tenements near the river were saved, but as a general thing by 10 o'clock in the forenoon, the fire extended from the river on the west to the lake on the east, in a line running from the southwest to the northeast. In this form it continued to advance northwardly, until the west end reached Fullerton avenue, which it did not cross west of Orchard street. East of Orchard street it destroyed everything to the lake, and then during the night, having consumed all that there was to consume, it finished its work by destroying the dwelling of Dr. J. H. Foster. Except some indifferent shanties near the bridges, and some scattered dwellings in the northwest corner of the Sixteenth Ward, not a dwelling was left north of the river, except that of Mr. Ogden. The principal buildings in this part of the city have been enumerated elsewhere. The width of ter ritory swept in that division was nearly one mile by nearly three miles long. The once teeming place is as ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. Ill silent as the graveyard. To the east there are some ragments of churches and of walls, but these are exceptions,—the whole surface being, as a general hing, as level as the original prairie. The streets rere for a large part paved and their grade raised. The few bricks left have fallen into the basements, »he sidewalks have disappeared, leaving to the streets the appearance of embankments to permit passage through a marshy region, or like the pathways through the vats of an extensive tannery. Nothing was so desolate—not a sound to break the solitude, nor a building to change the wide-spread, blackened landscape. The north side was highly ornamented with trees, many of them of choice varieties, and of many years' growth. All these have been swept away,—not even a skeleton of them left. One pecu liarity of the destruction is, that amid all the ruins there are no charred or half burned boards or tim bers; not even in the streets is there anything wooden. The fire in its intense heat destroyed every thing combustible, leaving nothing whatever to sur vive it. Even the floors in the basement of the largest buildings have been eaten up by the fire, eaving not a sign that such things existed. The Flight of tJie People. The residents of the North Division had all re- red to sleep long before the fire had assumed any lenous proportions. When it had crossed into the south Division from the west, and thus threatened 112 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: the centre of the town, the incessant clanging of the bells, the gorgeous illumination, the intense heat and smoke, and the unfailing shower of brilliant sparks, fully aroused them. No one, however, stirred. The merchants and bankers crossed to their places of business to do what could be done ; but when the court house fell, when the massive blocks of stone and brick opposed the progress of the fire no more successfully than so much straw, and when at last the blaze broke out in a half-dozen places north of the river, there was a preparation for flight. Those within the immediate range of the first advancing column of fire fled with such hastily gathered articles as they could to the lake shore. Those who were fortunate enough to own carriages, put their families and valuables in and drove off to the north. Wagons and teams were gathered and loaded, and furniture and families moved to Washington Park. This small park was at one time packed with furniture and people of every age, including many lifted from beds of sickness. In two hours the fire had got to the west far enough to include this park in its sweep, and then the flight was begun anew. This time all the property that had been rescued was left behind, so close upon them was the fire, and the weary men, women and children on foot took up their precipitate march further to the northward ; occasionally they would stop to rest ; occasionally some delicate woman would faint from exhaustion or anxiety ; occasionally some child would fell to the ground, unable any ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 113 longer to walk. But the fire followed close. The hower of sparks and blazing fragments never ¡eased to fall upon them. Time and again the ¡lothes of the women and children would be on fire, and on they had to march, enveloped in a cloud of ¡moke and fire, and followed by the roar of blazing buildings and the terrible howling of the gale. Thus they were driven from block to block, and street to street, until daylight found them on the Doulevard road along the lake shore, far beyond the ity limits. Those who fled directly to the eastward) to the lake beach, passed hardly a less pitiable night. Be hind them was the fire, south of them the lumber yards on the beach and pier was ablaze. Hemmed in between pier and lumber yard, were many fugi- ives, men, women and children, of whom many are aown to have perished, and it is feared the number s very great. Along the beach were judges, mer- hants, doctors, workingmen, women and children; among whom, as they lay on the sand, fell the rain of fire. The clothing of the women was repeatedly ou fire, and bundles of rescued articles had to be "hrown into the lake to extinguish them. The .corching heat, the falling fire, the horrible roar, the blinding smoke and cinders, the raging thirst, and the hot sand, were terrible to endure, and there these people remained until the next afternoon before they dared turn their faces towards the yet lazing but destroyed city behind them. Farther to the westward, among the habitations 114 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: of the poor, the distress was even more terrible. Quickly dislodged, the flight was precipitate. Each family had its small corps of helpless children. Fathers and mothers struggled against the blinding, burning atmosphere, with their little ones, for safety. Here and there sidewalks would fell in, precipitating all upon them into the vaults beneath. It is assumed, that of necessity, many hundreds perished in this flight. Exhausted women, sur rounded by their helpless children, would fall upon the street, the next moment to be shut out from mortal aid by the far-reaching, whirling flames. In every case, so high was the wind, the flames of a burning building extended across the street, con suming everything within their reach. In a district embracing 75,000 people, there were necessarily many who were upon beds of sickness. These had to be rescued by their immediate friends, or perish, and too often, the only immediate friends were helpless children. The mind shudders to think of what happened to both sick and well. Until the day shall come when the ruins of these 20,000 habitations shall be critically examined, the number of those who thus perished—whole families —will never be known. During that terrible night the wife of one of the State officers, he being in another part of the State, was in the pangs of labor, when necessity compelled her removal. In that perilous state she was con veyed to the house of a friend a mile north, and far beyond any supposed reach of the fire. She reached ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 115 there with her babe born during the removal, but three hours later had again to be carried to another part of the city to escape the fire which had followed her. This was but one of many cases equally dis tressing, though not all so fortunate. Other women in the same condition were removed, who did not lurvive the fright. There were numerous cases of adies who trying to escape on foot, were overtaken by the pangs of maternity, and upon the street, or in front yards, or on doorsteps, became mothers. Thus hastily forced by the ever pursuing fire, they fled they knew not whither, away from the roaring, îendish storm of fire. Some who had escaped into the West Division found shelter in human habita tions, and comparative comfort. But throughout the city, in every large group of fugitives, there were painful incidents of the effects of the terror pro duced by the flight for life. An ex-member of Congress, fled with his family out on the north pier. The fire followed him, burn ing the pier and enveloping him in its dense smoke, and burning them with its terrible heat. He re mained until the next afternoon, when there was nothing before him but the lake and the skeleton rrame of the light house, and the fire fifty feet in his rear, when hailing a tug boat he got on board with his family, and running the risk of destruction, steamed up the river between two sheets of fire, and landed on the west side of the north branch. It was a desperate venture, but rendered necessary to ivoid the death which was fast approaching him. 116 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: To comprehend the horrors of that flight let the reader imagine a population of 76,000 men, women and children, suddenly driven from their homes, hemmed in by a roaring blaze on each side, with a far reaching fire impelled by a furious gale in the rear ; let him imagine these people forcing along in a few streets, trying to keep families together, envel oped in clouds of smoke, and covered at every step with blazing cinders; the horrors of the exodus made more terrible by the wild foray of horses and cattle, terrified by the fire, madly running hither and thither, kicking and trampling, often in herds of a dozen, aimlessly trying to escape and instinct ively following or plunging through the human pro cession. This terrible flight of 76,000 people during that night and morning, pursued by the relentless fire, and often headed off in their march by a building fired by a brand from the fire behind. There was no shelter, no refuge, no escape, but to push on through the narrow streets to the north. The few bridges to the northwest were thronged, but soon became gorged with broken vehicles, and it was almost death to attempt to pass them. Time, in fact, did not permit their use ; the fire was in the rear, roaring, and sending forward its incessant dis charge of blazing brands, shingles, and fragments of timbers. Occasionally, above the roar and din, above the shrieks and shouts of the moving mass, above the wild neighing and snorting of the fren zied horses and cattle, would be heard the explosions ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 117 )f drug stores, distilleries, warehouses, and the fall )f stone walls. Then would come the shower of iery projectiles, the horrors of which were often aggravated by the pitiable sight of* dismembered jortions of human bodies, the victims of explosions. 4ny one who has witnessed the passage of an army of 75,000 men, moving through the streets in perfect order, discipline, and with the surroundings of a gala ¡how, can get a faint picture of this terrible flight )f the inhabitants of the North Division, by substi tuting for this army of disciplined soldiery, the same number of terrified men, women and children, most 3f them half clothed, bearing their sick, their dying, their aged, and their helpless, with the sidewalks on fire, the buildings in a blaze in every direction, the horrible roar behind, the stifling smoke and cinders, and all this fearful procession hastening forward as best it could—going no one knew where. When one fell it was almost certain death. The ever surging crowd could not stop to pick up the exhausted or the feeble, but over the fallen bodies ushed on—on, away from the monster that was pur- uing them. How many thus perished will never >e known ; but the next day, when the fire was out, ind the scattered families called their rolls, over two thousand children were missing, the most of whom veré of an age as to exclude all hope of their jafety by their unaided exertions. The horrors of that flight were greatly increased by the fact that •nen and women could not understand that the fire was irresistible, and delayed their departure until 118 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: the flames actually drove them forth. Many sought to carry valuables and clothing, but these impedi ments to rapid movement were soon abandoned, though in many cases they were held too long,—so checking flight, that the blaze which often encircled a block of buildings, crossing the street ahead of the fugitives, and thus destroyed all escape. One wealthy citizen occupied a costly mansion erected in the very centre of a block. The square was thickly planted with trees and shrubbery, and a large portion devoted to conservatories ; the whole enclosed with a board fence ten feet high. Time was wasted in packing valuables, and when the family and servants came out from the building, they found the whole fence in flames, the sidewalks on all four sides ablaze, and the trees already burning. Thus imprisoned within a very wall of fire, with the building, stables, and conservatories all on fire, they rushed wildly about, with no visible means of escape. Rescue from without was impossible. While thus reduced to despair, while thus environed by a circuit of fire, and the trees over their heads in flames, a sec tion of the wooden fence fell down, but still blazing ; beyond it was the wooden sidewalk, eight feet wide, also on fire. It was a desperate chance. The old and the young made a speedy rush, bounded over the fallen blazing fence, jumped upon and over the burning sidewalks and thus reached the street, on each side of which there was an equal fire. Rush ing with the speed of desperation, men and women reached a few blocks north, when were they com- ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 119 pelled to halt to extinguish the burning garments jf the women. This was accomplished with great difficulty, and with great injury to all. The flight was continued, and for twenty-four hours these peo ple wandered on the distant prairie, unable to return to the city. The Intense Heat. The most striking peculiarity of the fire was its intense, devouring heat. Nothing exposed to it escaped. Amid the hundreds of acres left bare, there is not to be found a piece of wood of any descrip tion, and unlike most fires, it left nothing half burned. The innermost timbers, floorings, doors, •vindow sills, were all reached and wholly consumed. From the wreck of the many thousand buildings, there is not a vestige of timber or charred wood. The excavators turn up brick, stone, glass, iron, silver, gold, bronze, brass and all other remnants of nerchandise, household goods and building mater ais, but not a particle of wood. The combustion was complete. The fire swept the streets of all the irdinary dust and rubbish, consuming it instantly. Nothing was left but the incombustible. In repeated nstances the popular building stone, the Athens marble, a free limestone, which when first uncovered n the quarry is soft, but rapidly hardens, and which was universally used in the city, when broken and Tailing upon the bed of burning coal, was of itself on fire—burning as does the ordinary stone in the lime kilns. 120 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: But this does not account for the intense heat. Various theories are stated. One is that the hlazing fire evolved a gas which was carried on before hy the wind ; that it penetrated and filled all the buildings on the line; that the hlazing hrands reaching these huildings, being fanned into flame as soon as they touched the roofs or windows, communicated instan taneously with the gas, producing a fire of the great est heat, and general in all parts of the building. It is argued that as the gas escaping from an ordinary furnace, if economized and again subjected to flame, produces a heat far in excess of that proceeding from the fuel in its original form, so this gas, escaping unconsumed from the fire, when again brought in contact with flame in large bodies and in comparatively confined rooms, produces not only instantaneous combustion, but intense heat. Whatever may be the true theory as to the cause of the extraordinary heat, the fact is evidenced by countless examples of its destructive power. It made little or no difference what the material was of which the building was built, whether of brick, or stone. The effect on all was alike — marble structure perishing with hardly less speed than that of the frame shed. The First National Bank was supposed to be fire proof. It was situated on the northeast corner of a block, with north and east fronts. On the south it was flanked by a row of marble front brick buildings, and the same on the west. It had no party walls. It was built after the other buildings, with independent walls, on the south ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTUKE. 121 and west ; it was protected from the fire and wind by its own walls and those of the adjoining buildings. In front was a street one hundred feet wide. The only result of this double protection was that its vails are standing, but the intense heat, borne by he eddies of the wind, entered the building on the ronts not exposed to the wind ; the furniture and window casings were burned, and so great was the leat coming from without, that the monster iron jirders expanded upward, breaking the iron ceilings, crashing the exterior walls, and leaving the building a wreck and a ruin. Precisely the same effect was produced in the Tribune building, also fire proof. Die furniture in the building, if all collected and fired, would not have produced heat enough to seriously damage the room in which it was burned ; but the intense heat borne into the building seemed *o so feed the blaze of the burning tables, chairs and desks, that the iron girders and ceilings expanded upward and downward to such a degree that they ore down, shattered, or forced outward into the ¡treets, walls that it was supposed nothing short of m explosion of the first magnitude could disturb. The intensity of the heat may be judged, and the horough combustion of everything wooden may be understood, when we state that in the yard of 3ne of the large agricultural implement factories, was stacked some hundreds of tons of pig iron. This iron was two hundred feet from any building, o the south of it was the river, one hundred and iftv feet wide. No large building but the factory 122 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: was in the immediate vicinity of the fire. Yet, so great was the heat, that this pile of iron melted and run, and is now in one large and nearly solid mass. The effect of the heat is also shown in the cases of the large anchors and cables at the warehouses. These cables of every size were kept upon the side walks in huge coils. . Since the fire they present a most curious appearance, the coils having melted each into a solid mass, just preserving enough of its original form to show what it had been. Perhaps no city of the country used more of the useful articles known as hand trucks, than this city. They are made of hard wood shafts, fitted into strong iron frames, and every store in this city had its full supply of them in use. They were actively in use during the night in the removal of goods from the stores to the wagons, and were abandoned, many of them on the sidewalks, and thousands of them have been found in the ruins. They are remarkable looking skeletons. The two small iron wheels, the bands, and all the iron work, are perfect, but not a sight of the wood work. A gentleman escaping from one of the hotels with his wife, obtained one of these trucks, and placing on it two trunks hastened to that part of the lake shore occupied by the base ball enclosure. This enclosure was merel}7 a high fence with wooden benches at one end for spectators. He had been there but a few minutes when he was certain the fire would reach him, so hastily digging a hole, he put the trunks in it, covered them with earth and left the trucks ex- ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 123 posed. This was in the middle of the base ball diamond, remote from the fence and the seats. When he returned next day, the wooden work of the truck, which could not have come in contact with any fire, was consumed.. The intense heat,' acting on the iron had fired the wooden parts, and they were burned. There can be no question that the intense heat was the result of the gale. The fire once under way, the gale gave to it the intensity given to flame by the blow pipe. The heat itself thus generated would have produced an extensive conflagration, had there been no burning faggots. These latter, lodging on cornices, roofs, in crevices on wooden sidewalks, in yards, on wood piles, were kept alive by the wind, forced into flame, and spread the fire with rapid speed. Hundreds of persons, who rushed from their residences in the North Division to look after their stores and warehouses in the South Di vision, on their return found their dwellings in flames and their families fugitives. The fire left but little of architectural adornment. The marble mantels were not only broken, but con sumed. A gentleman visiting the Tribune building after the fire, after climbing over broken walls, and shaking iron stairs to an upper room, discovered one of the carved shields which had ornamented one of the marble mantels. Hastily seizing it, intend ing to preserve it as a memento, it crumbled in his fingers as so much lime. It had preserved its shape, but the substance had been consumed by the furnace 124 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO I heat. The power of the blow pipe in producing heat from flame, is well understood, and the most rational explanation of the astonishing heat of this fire is that the gale operated on the flame as does the blow pipe, and before that concentrated heat everything combustible was consumed, and all else, melted" and destroyed. Losses and Insurance. It is impossible, even at this late date, to give the details of losses. A close estimate, however, fixes the loss at about $200,000,000, divided substanti ally as follows : City Corporation, . . $5,000,000 Churches, ... . 3,000,000 Dry Goods, . 10,000,000 Clothing. . 5,000,000 Hardware,. . . 4,000,000 Boots and Shoes, . 2,000,000 Groceries, ... . 10,000,000 Drugs, . . - 8,000,000 Jewelry, ..... 2,000,000 Elevators and contents, 3,000,000 Hats and Caps, . . . 2,000,000 Shipping, ..... . 750,000 Railroad Corporations, . . 1,000,000 Dwellings, ...... . 30,000,000 Stores and Business Blocks, . 80,000,000 Offices, ......... 1,000,000 Opera Houses, and Theatres, .... 2,000,000 Libraries, paintings and miscellaneous, 31,250,000 Total, . . "$200,000,000 ,.j, IONIC o RIBUKE ——— ' U fcil_?,U |. I' 'I .AI .v üf5;«"-- v.-,v-'-jsM!i UNITY (MR. COLLYER'S) AND NEW ENSLAND CHURCHES. ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 127 Products. The principal losses of products were as follows : Wheat, Corn,. Oats, . Rye, . Barley, Total of grain, Pork, . Lard, Cut meat; Broomcorn,. Lumber, . Coal, , 628,900 bush. 394,500 " 234,900 " 115,000 " 260,000 " 1,634,300 bush. 6,000 bbls. 4,000 tierces. , 1,500,000 Ibs. 2,400 tons. . 50,000,000 ft. 80,000 tons. Churches. The following is a list of the principal churches destroyed, with their estimated value : South Side. First Presbyterian, Universalist, . . . Trinity, (Episcopal,) Swedenborgian, . $200,000 100,000 150,000 75,000 T il u 128 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION—CHICAGO: St. Mary's Church and Mission, (Catholic,) $250,000 Second Presbyterian, . . . . 60,000 First Methodist Episcopal, . 400,000 Other smaller churches, 250,000 FarwellHall, ... . . 400,000 North Side. North Church, (Presbyterian,) . $75,000 Westminster, (Presbyterian,) 75,000 M. E. Grace Church, 150,000 Moody's Mission, . . 125,000 St. James, (Episcopal,) . . . 150,000 Two Catholic churches with nunneries, . 300,000 New England Church, ...... 150,000 Robert Collyer's Unitarian Church, . 100,000 Nearly seventy-five churches, mission schools, etc., were destroyed. The New England church, one of the most elaborate structures in the city, was laid in ruins, as was the home of every mem ber of the church. The First and Second Presby terian churches, the First Universalist, Trinity Episcopal and the New Jerusalem churches were among the ruins. The Roman Catholics suffered greatly, losing as many as seven churches, six con vents, eight schools and two hospitals. ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 129 Insurance. It is still more difficult to ascertain the insurance losses, but the following list is sufficiently accurate as a general statement up to the time of writing : Maine, . . . Boston, Mass., . Worcester, Mass., . Springfield, Mass., . Providence, R. L, . Hartford, . . Connecticut, . . New York City, Brooklyn, . . Buffalo,. Albany, Philadelphia,. Pittsburgh, . Pennsylvania, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Toledo, Michigan, . Chicago, . Illinois, Wisconsin, St. Louis, . . San Francisco, . Foreign, . . Miscellaneous, Total, $22,500 3,252,500 307,500 450,000 1,985,000 . 8,500,000 735,000 . 13,476,500 935,000 1,730,000 1,200,000 1,590,000 136,500 870,000 309,000 1,241,800 1,948,000 330,000 10,000 165,000 . 25,000,000 1,000,000 245,000 462,500 3,100.000 5,798,000 187,000 $74,986,800 130 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: An approximate statement of losses, as furnished by companies, exhibits the effect produced upon the business by the sudden and overwhelming disaster. Superintendent Miller, under date of November llth, 1871, gives the particulars relating to the New York Companies. The following New York companies have ceased to do business, and gone into liquidation. The gross assets of each, as stated in the annual report of December 21st last, is given in the absence of any present report: Gross assets. Jan. 1,1671. $442,709 405,571 548,194 261,851 335,724 359,227 321,745 . 548,402 . 1,715,909 . 1,407,788 . . . 704,684 ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 131 jEtna, Astor, . Atlantic, . Beekman, . Excelsior, . Fulton,. . Irving, . Lámar, Lorillard, . Manhattan, Market, ..... North America, . Security, . Washington, . Albany City,. Capital, . . Buffalo City,.... Buffalo Fire Insurance, Western, . . . Yonkers, N. Y., 770,305 1,860,333 774,411 397,646 293,766 370,934 473,577 580,547 868,933 The following companies continuing in business. Adriatic, American, American Buffalo, Ge Citizens,. Columbia, Commerce Commerce Commercial, Continental, Corn Exct Exchange, Firemen's Firemen's Germania, Glen's Falls, Greenwich,. Guardian, . Hanover, Huffman, Home, . Howard, Humboldt, Importers' Internatioi Jefferson, Kings Cou Lafayette, Lenox, . Mechanics', Mechanics' Mercantile,. Merchants', sustaining losses are . Exchange, . . cm an, . (Albany,) . . Fire, (N. Y.,) . ,1, . . 1, , ange, . « . • Fund, . Trust, . . . Ls, 1 • , ' and Traders', . nal, ..... . mty, . . . Ï ;' and Traders', . n -, . .... >', Gross assets. $261,500 1 013,393 280,887 308,716 722,068 468,595 762,000 253,865 317,451 2,847,307 359,880 207,374 182,030 241,700 1,135,332 554,962 472,070 286,984 750,000 217,460 4,813,561 894,360 362,786 308,189 1,466,726 447,391 292,562 224,643 247,800 236,356 518,062 292,335 463,864 Total losses by Chicago fire. $8,500 30,000 58,000 5,000 35,000 3,400 450,000 26,000 5,000 1,400,000 61,000 2,500 32,500 5,000 226,500 13,000 10,000 45,000 250,000 . 30,000 2,139,213 473,110 24,000 22,500 546,911 42,500 31,000 7,500 32,000 22,500 37,000 112,000 10,000 132 TEE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: National, . . New York, . . Niagara, . . Pacific, . Phoenix, . Relief, . Republic, . Resolute, . Sterling, .... Williainsburgh City, Groes assets. $300,000 389,904 . 1,321,420 451,405 1,870,076 323,125 682,382 254,024 266,581 531,364 Total losses by Chicago £re. $37,500 15.000 225,000 12,500 350,000 40,000 208,140 109,927 7,500 60,000 Other Suspensions. The following Rhode Island companies have sus pended : Hope, ....... Providence Washington, . Roger Williams, .... Jan. 1. $374,964 326,614 211,673 415,150 278,966 losses. $400,000 300,000 150,000 550,000 100,000 The following Connecticut companies have sus pended: Charter Oak, . Connecticut, Merchants, . North American,. Putnam,. . . Norwich, . Jan. 1. $251,951 400,000 540,096 456,503 785,783 381,730 tosses. $200,000 200,000 350,000 ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 133 The following Massachusetts companies have sus pended : Hide and Leather,. Independent,.... New England Mutual, The following Ohio companies have suspended : Gross Assets, Jan. 1. $419,211 646,050 1,080,970 tosses. $800,000 900,000 700,000 Alemania of Cleveland, . Cleveland, Sun,. Losses. $500,000 400,000 100,000 Fourteen Chicago companies were completely prostrated. Their entire assests being swept away, and not amounting to over 10 per cent, of their losses. Aggregate Losses. 249 American companies, and 6 English doing fire insurance business in the United States, suffered loss. The aggregate loss was as follows : 249 American companies, 6 English companies, . $82,821,122 5,813,000 Total loss of Insurance Cos., $88,634,122 The aggregate assets of these companies are: American companies, . $74,930,216 English companies, . 11,949,305 Total capital, .... $145,819,521 134 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION—CHICAGO: t- The total loss falling upon only a portion of the companies, and upon others only in small sums, has crushed out the losing companies, leaving the in sured sufferers to perhaps $50,000,000, on their insured property alone. The Destruction of City Property. The following is an estimate of the losses of City Property by the fire, made by the Board of Public Works: City Hall, including furniture, . $470,000 Water works engines, . -. ... 15,000 Water works buildings and tools, 20,000 Rush street bridge, . . . 15,000 State street bridge, 15,000 Clark street bridge, 13,800 Wells street bridge, . . . 15,000 Chicago avenue bridge, , 26,700 Adams street bridge, . . 37,800 Van Buren street bridge, 13,470 Polk street bridge, . . . 29,450 Washington street tunnel, 2,000 La Salle street tunnel, . 1,800 Lamp posts, . 25,000 Fire hydrants, . . 15,000 Street pavements, . . . 250,000 Sidewalks and crossings, 70,000 Reservoirs, ..... 15,000 Docks, . . 10,000 Sewers, . . . 10,000 Water service, 15,000 Total, $1,085,080 ITS PAST, PKESENT AND FUTURE. 135 Sidewalks Destroyed. The extent and value of the sidewalks destroyed by the fire has been officially computed. The whole length of sidewalks laid on the 8th of Octo- ober was 680 miles, of which 12If miles were destroyed. The details of the destroyed work are thus stated: Lin. feet. Cost. North Division, stone and flag sidewalks, .... South Division, stone and flag sidewalks, . Plank sidewalks, . . . Total, 10,194 $58,215 33,050 599,597 479,164 404,000 642,841 $941,379 The Burned Churches. Within the past ten years Chicago has won an enviable reputation for the number and beauty of her churches. The various denominations have vied with each other in building superb church structures, which have long been the admiration of strangers for their architectural beauty and admirable adaptation to purposes of worship. The fire made no distinction in its destruction. Almost every denomination suffered to a large extent. 136 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: The Protestant Episcopal. The Episcopal denomination lost St. James Church, one of the most elegant in the city, loss $250,000, on which there was a moderate insurance, most of which is available; Trinity Church, loss $110,000, on which there was $40,000 insurance, about half of which is available; the Church of the Ascension, loss $15,000, without insurance; and St. Ansgarius (Swedish), loss $11,000, the insurance upon which is not secure. Presbyterian. The Presbyterians lost three churches; the First Church, loss $80,000, with its two mission school buildings, one attached to the church, and the other on La Salle street, both valued at $47,000; the Second Church, not occupied at the time of the fire, the congregation having temporarily united with the Olivet Church, until their new building should be erected, loss $55,000 ; and the North Presbyte rian, loss $65,000, and its mission school, $8,000. Congregational. The Congregationalists lost their beautiful New England Church and a small mission school. Total loss $106,500. ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 137 Baptist. The Baptists lost property as follows: North Church and furniture, . . North Star Church and furniture, Swedish Church and furniture, . . . Lincoln Park Association Building, . Publication Society, • . Standard stock, . . $15,000 20,000 7,000 1,000 10,000 25,000 In addition to the above there were other indirect losses in this denomination, which will swell the amount to $200,000. Methodist. The Methodist losses were as follows: Grace Church, one of the most beautiful in the city, loss $100,000. The First Methodist Church and Block, loss $100,000. The Wabash avenue Methodist, damaged to the amount 'f $35,000. The Scandinavian Methodist, $t,000. The German Methodist, $7,500. The African Methodist, $8,000. The Garrett Biblical Institute property, $90,000. Unitarian. Unity Church, over which Rev. Robert Collyer presided, was the only Unitarian Church burned in the city; loss $225,000. 138 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION—CHICAGO: Roman Catholic. The Eoman Catholic denomination suffered more severely than any other. The detailed statement of the losses is as follows. Church of the Holy Name, 196 by 75 feet in dimensions, costing $275,000 ; and residence attached, valued at $5,000. St. Mary's Church, at the corner of Madison street and Wabash avenue, 110 by 50 feet, costing $40,000. Church of the Immaculate Conception, 110 by 50 feet, with residence, $25,000. St. Michael's Church, 200 by 80 feet, costing $200,000. St. Joseph's Church, 130 by 55 feet, $100,000. St. Louis' Church, 110 by 40 feet, $10,000. St. Paul's Church, 100 by 40 feet, valued at $15,000, with a $3,000 residence. The following schools, convents and hospitals were also destroyed : Christian Brothers' Academy, on Van Buren street, near Fourth avenue, cost $80,000. St. Francis Xavier's Academy of the Sisters of Mercy, with House of Providence, $120,000. Holy Name Parish Schools—for girls, $15,000 ; for boys, $8,000. Immaculate Conception Parish School, $10,000. St. Louis' Parish School, $5,000. St. Paul's Parish School, $5,000. Redemptionist Convent, $20,000, with parish school for accommodating 1,200 children. Benedictine Convent, $20,000, with schools costing $11,000. Alexian Brothers' Hospital, $40,000. Orphan Asylum, $30,000. House of the Good Shepherd, $80,000. ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 139 House of Providence, under Sisters of Charity, $4,000. The Bishop's palace, corner of Madison and Michigan avenues, cost $40,000, exclusive of furniture. Universalist. The Universalists lost but one church, St. Paul's, on Wabash avenue, loss $75,000. There were in addition to the above, two Jewish Synagogues burned, loss $40,000; the North Side German Lutheran, loss $30,000, and a few wooden churches of the same denomination, which may swell this amount to $50,000. Probably about twenty-five per cent, of the insurance on the above churches can be made available. The gross losses may be summed up as follows : Episcopalian, Presbyterian, . . Congregational, . Baptist, . . Methodist, . Unitarian, . . , Roman Catholic, TJniversalist, . Jewish, . Lutheran, Total, $360,000 255,000 106,500 78,000 347,500 225,000 1,161,000 75,000 40,000 50,000 $2,698,000 This sum represents only the losses on buildings. Other losses of some of the denominations, like the 140 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: Presbyterian for instance, will reach a much larger sum. The Value of Goods Destroyed. The latest estimate of the losses of goods and stocks on hand, is the following: Dry Goods, . $6,045,000 Groceries, . . . 2,452,500 Clothing houses, ..... 1,911,000 Stationers, blank books, &c., . 1,110,000 Jewellers, watches and clocks, . 1,335,000 Hardware, . . . 1,280,000 Millinery, 1,100 000 Hotels, .......... 1,210,000 Church societies and corporations, 4,240,000 City property, . . . 1,005,000 Railroads, . . . 2,000,000 Boots and shoes, . . . 975,000 Drugs, paints and oils, 621,000 Books, ..... 864,000 Hides and leather, . . 428,000 Restaurants, saloons, &c., 528,000 Furniture,.. . 510,000 Music dealers, . . ïïo^OO Hats, caps and furs, . 423,000 Glassware, crockery, &c.,. 133,000 Auctioneers, ..... 306,090 Tailors and outfitters, . 118,000 Commissions, &c., . 128,000 This does not give the losses on real estate, lum ber, coal, and many other things; nor does it pretend to state personal losses, accurate information of which never can be obtained. • It merely gives the ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 141 importions, and will probably be found to err very little in that regard. Ale Brewing Business. One of the large branches of business in Chicago was the manufacture of ale and lager beer. Large jales were made to the South and Southwest. With few and minor exceptions, all these establish ments were in the range of the fire. The following ¡s a list of those destroyed and their values: Lill's Brewing Company, J. A. Huck, ...... band's Brewing Company, . Bush & Brand, ... Buffalo Brewery, . Schmid, Katz & Co., . Metz & Stage, . . Doyle Bros. & Co.,. Mloeler Bros., . K. G. Schmidt, . George Hiller, . . Schmidt & Bender, . Mitinet & Puopfel, John Behringer, J. Miller, .... William Bowman, George Wagner, Total, $500,000 400,000 335,000 250,000 150,000 60,000 80,000 45,000 20,000 90,000 35,000 25,000 12,000 15,000 8,000 5,000 5,000 $2,025,000 Little or no valuable insurance was on these mildings, nevertheless, the majority of the owners iave already taken steps to renew their business. 142 THE GEEAT CONFLAGRATION—CHICAGO: One of the Chicago religious papers, in its first issue after the fire, said, the "fire also fortunately destroyed a large number of breweries and saloons." The brewers deny the morality of 'this statement. The Newspapers. The daily newspaper offices were mostly located in the same neighborhood. The Tribune, Times and Journal were on Dearborn street, in sight of each other. The Post, Mail, and Staats Zeitung were in ad joining buildings, on Washington street, near Dear born, and the Republican was on Washington street, in the same vicinity. The Tribune and the Times owned the buildings in which they were published. Thelossesof the several offices may be thus estimated : Tribune, on building, partially saved, $150,000 Presses and other property, . 80,000 Times, building, total loss, . . . 50,000 Presses and other property, . . 75,000 Journal, presses, &c., including job office, 75,000 Staats Zeitung, presses, &c., . . . 45,000 Post, .......... 40,000 Republican, including job office, 60,000 Total newspaper property, $575,000 The Times' building was a total wreck, but was insured. The Tribune building was injured to the extent stated, and there was no insurance. The in terruption to the issues of the paper was, under the FIELD, J.CITER il CO.'S BUILDING, COR. ST»TE AND WASHINGTON STREETS SHERMAN HOUSE. ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 145 nrcumstances, very short. The Journal on Monday îvening issued from a job office a little sheet, four Dy six inches ; on Tuesday issued a sheet somewhat irger, and on Wednesday evening a large sheet. The Tribune issuedon Wednesday morning as large a sheet is the only set of column rules in the city would allow. The next day the Post and Mail issued papers, and ,he Republican got out its first number of any kind on Sunday. The Times issued its first paper about ,he 18th. During the week preceding the fire there had 3een numerous fire alarms, and there was put in ,ype, intended for the Sunday issue of the Tribune, n editorial discussing the subject of insurance, and pointing out the criminality of the mode in which insurance companies were taking risks, at ruinous rates, spending their receipts in commissions to brokers and agents, imperilling honest risks in case of fire, and inciting by reckless over insurance in- endiarism and false swearing. This article was crowded out on Sunday morning, but was enlarged by some references to the fire of Saturday night, and was actually printed in the Monday morning's paper on the "first side." The second side never Erot to press, and the whole edition was burned up. 'hicago is now reaping in the bankruptcy of all her local companies the fruits of the ruinous policy adopted of taking risks at any rate, and for any amount on any description of property. 9 «U,r 146 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 147 The Principal Buildings Destroyed. The following is a list of the more prominent buildings destroyed. Academy of Design, Adams, between State and Dearborn. A. H. Miller's building, corner State and Madison. Andrew's building, La Salle, between Madison and Monroe. Andrews & Otis's building, Clark, bet. Monroe and Adams. Arcade buildings, Clark, between Madison and Monroe. Bei'lin block, corner State and Monroe. Blake's building, Washington, bet. Fifth avenue and Fraklin. Boone block, La Salle, between Washington and Madison. Bowen's building, Randolph, bet. Michigan and Wabashave. Bryan block, corner La Salle and Monroe. Burch's block, Lake, bet. Wabash avenue and State street. Calhoun block, Clark, between Washington and Madison. Chamber of Commerce building, corner La Salle and Washington. Chicago Mutual Life Insurance building, Fifth avenue, between Washington and Randolph. The Chicago Times building, Dearborn, between Wash ington and Madison. City Water Works, corner Chicago avenue and Pine. Cobb's block, corner Lake and Wabash avenue. Cobb's block, Washington, between Clark and Dearborn. Cobb's building, Dearborn, bet. Washington and Madison. Commercial building, corner La Salle and Lake. Commercial Insurance Company's building, Washington, between La Salle and Fifth avenue. Court House, Randolph and Washington, between Clark and La Salle. Crosby's building, State, bet. Randolph and Washington. Custom Hpuse, corner Dearborn and Monroe. De Haven block, Dearborn, between Quincy and Jackson. Depository building, Randolph, bet. Clark and La Salle. Dickey's building, corner Dearborn and Lake. Dole's building, corner Clark and South Water. Drake's block, corner Wabasb avenue and Washington. Ewing block, North Clark, bet. North Water and Kinzie. Exchange Bank building, corner Lake and Clark. Flander's block, foot South Water. «"ry's building, La Salle, bet. Washington and Randolph, ¿"ullerton's block, corner Washington and Dearborn. Gallup building, corner La Salle and Madison. ïarrett block, corner Randolph and State. ïartford Fire Insurance building, La Salle, between Ran dolph and Lake. ïolt's building, Washington, bet. La Salle and Fifth ave. ïonore block, Dearborn, between Monroe and Adams. Illinois Central Land Department building, Michigan ave nue, between Lake and South Water. Keep's building, Clark, between Madison and Monroe. tent's building, No. 153 Monroe. Zing's block, corner Washington and Dearborn. Lakeside building, corner Adams and Clark. jarmon block, corner Clark and Washington. Lincoln block, corner Lake and Franklin. Link's'block, corner La Salle and Lake. Lloyd's block, corner Randolph and Fifth avenue. jombard block, corner Monroe and Custom House place, ' between Clark and Dearborn. joomis's block, corner Clark and South Water. Lumberman's exchange, corner South Water and Franklin McCarthy's building, corner Dearborn and Washington. »McCarthy's building, corner Clark and Randolph. McCormick's block, corner Dearborn and Randolph. McCormick's building, corner Michigan ave. and Lake. McKee's building, corner Wabash ave. and Randolph. Mackin's building, State, between Madison and Monroe. Magie's building, corner La Salle and Randolph. Major block, corner La Salle and Madison. Marine Bank building, corner Lake and La Salle. mpi 1,11 148 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: Mechanics'building, Washington, bet. La Salle and Fifth ave. Mercantile building, La Salle, bet. Madison and Washington. Merchant's Insurance building, La Salle and Washington. Methodist Church block, corner Clark and Washington. Metropolitan block, corner Randolph and La Salle. Monroe building, corner Clark and Monroe. Morrison block, Clark, between Madison and Monroe. . Morrison building, Clark, bet. Madison and Washington. Newbury block, corner Wells and Kinzie. Norton block, Nos. 136 and 138 South Water. Old Board of Trade buildings, South Water, between La Salle and Fifth ave. Open Board building, Madison, bet. Clark and La Salle. Oriental building, La Salle, bet. Washington and Madison. Otis block, corner Madison and La Salle. Otis building, comer State and Madison. Pacific Hotel, corner Clark and Quincy. Pardee's building, corner South Water and Fifth ave. Phœnix building, La Salle, bet. Randolph and Washington. Pomeroy's building, No. 160 South Water. Pope's block, Madison, between Clark and La Salle. Portland block, corner Dearborn and Washington. Post Office, corner Dearborn and Monroe. Post Office building, Dearborn,.bet. Madison and Monroe. Prairie Farmer building, Monroe, between, Dearborn and Clark. Purple's block, corner North Clark and Ontario. Raymond block, corner State and Madison. Republic Life Insurance building, La Salle, between Madi son and Monroe. ' • Reynold's block, corner Dearborn and Madison. Rice's building, Ï4 to 81 Dearborn. Scammon's building, corner Randolph and Michigan ave. Shepard's building, Dearborn, between Monroe and Adams. Sherman House block, corner Clark and Randolph. Smith & Nixon's block, corner Clark and Washington. Speed's building, 125 Dearborn. ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 149 Staats Zeitung building, Madison, bet. Dearborn and Clark. Steam's building, Washington, bet. La Salle and Fifth ave. Steel's block, corner La Salle and and South Water. Stone's building, Madison, between Clark and La Salle. Taylor's block, corner Franklin and South Water. Tribune building, corner Dearborn and Madison. Turner's building, corner North State and Kinzie. Tyler block, La Salle, between Lake and South Water. TJhlic block, North Clark, between Kinzie and Water. Union building, corner La Salle and Washington. Volk's building, 19t Washington. Walker's block, Dearborn, between Lake and Randolph. Warner's block, 123 and 125 Randolph. Washington's block, Clark, bet. Washington and Madison. Wheeler's block, corner Clark and South Water. Wicker's building, corner State and South Water. Wright Brother's building, corner North State and Kinzie. Five Public Schools. Hotels. Palmer ^House. Sherman House. Tremont House. Pacific Hotel. Adams House. Briggs House. Mattson House. Revere House. Bigelow Everett House. Metropolitan Hotel, Central House. Howard House. City Hotel. Clifton House. Clarendon House. Orient House. House. Churches. Episcopal. . . Presbyterian.. . Methodist. Unitarian. Swedenborgian.. 3 5 5 2 2 New England. . Congregational. Catholic. . Jewish. , Lutheran. . . 1 . 1 . 5 . 3 2 "iniliiljlfi 150 THE GEE AT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 151 Theatres. Crosby's Opera House. McVicker's Theatre. Hooley's Opera House. Dearborn Theatre. Wood's Museum. King's Opera House. Olympic Theatre. German Haus. Turner Hall. Banks. Chicago Clearing House Association, 82 Dearborn street. City National Bank, 156 Washington street. Commercial National Bank, 55 Dearborn street. Commercial Loan Company, 44 North Clark street. Cook County National Bank, Honcre block, corner Dear born and Monroe streets. Corn Exchange Nat. Bank, room 2 Chamber of Commerce. Fifth National Bank, northeast corner Clark and Dearborn. First National Bank, southwest cor. State and Washington. Fourth National Bank, southeast corner Dearborn and Washington streets. Germania Bank, 40 South Clark street. Hibernian Banking Association, southwest corner Clark and Lake streets. Illinois Mutual Trust Com. 147 and 149 Randolph street. Manufacturers' National Bank, northwest corner Dearborn and Washington streets. Marine Company of Chicago, 156 Lake, northeast corner La Salle street. Mechanics' National Bank, 154 Lake street. Merchants' National Bank, 108 La Salle street. National Bank of Commerce, 87 Dearborn street. National Bank of Illinois, 95 Washington street. Northwestern National Bank, 1 Chamber of Commerce. Prairie State Loan and Trust Company, northwest corner Randolph and Jefferson streets. Real Estate Loan and Trust Company, 105 and 107 Mon roe street, Lombard block. Second National Bank, corner Lake and Clark streets. Traders' National Bank, 44 Clark street. Third National Bank, cor. Randolph and Dearborn streets. Union Insurance and Trust Company, 133 Dearborn street. Union National Bank, southwest corner La Salle and Washington streets. J. R. Valentine &-Co. Savings Banks. Chicago Savings Institution and Trust Company, basement southwest corner State and Washington streets. !om. Loan Company, No. 60 North Clark street. German Savings Bank, Nos. 34 and 36 La Salle street. Hibernian Saving Bank Associations Savings Bank, south west corner Clark and Lake streets. International Mutual Trust Company, 135 La Salle street. Marine Company of Chicago, No. 156 Lake street. Merchants' Farmers' and Mechanics' Savings Bank, No. 13 Clark street. Merchants' Saving Loan and Trust Company, southwest corner Lake and Dearborn streets. National Loan and Trust Company, 92 La Salle street. Real Estate, Loan and Trust Company, next west of the Post Office. State Savings Institution, 82 and 84 La Salle street. Union Insurance and Trust Company, 133 Dearborn street. Railway Stations. Michigan Central and Great Western of Canada, Union Depot. Lake Shore and Michigan Southern. Illinois Central. Chicago, Burlington & Quincy. Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific. Chicago & Northwestern (Galena division.) 152 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: Losses in Literature, Art, Music, and the Drama. The loss to Chicago in places of public amuse ment, libraries and art galleries it is almost impos sible to calculate. It could only be accomplished by personal reports from every one of the thousands of sufferers who were driven from their homes in the South and North Divisions. An approximate idea, however, may be formed, when it is considered that nearly 30,000 houses were burned, and that many of them on the avenues of the South Division and on the Lake front of the North Division, were among the most elegant in the city, and occupied by citizens whose wealth and culture had combined in the accumulation of rare treasures of literature and art. The chief places of amusement destroyed in the city, were Crosby's Opera-House, Hooley's Opera House, the Dearborn Theatre, Me Vicker's Theatre, and Wood's Museum. The last four had just been refitted and, re-ornamented and opened for the regu lar fall and winter season, while Crosby's Opera House was to have been opened on Monday evening, October 9th, the second night after the fire,, by the well known Thomas Orchestral Combination. During the winter of 1870, Mr. Crosby had hesitated for some time whether to continue in the amusement business, and had even employed his architect to draw plans for changing the auditorium into commercial offices. The persuasion of friends, however, and the brilliant ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 153 operatic and otherwise musical prospects for the season of 1871-72 induced him to abandon the idea. Early-in the summer the house was closed and the work of adornment commenced. Eighty thousand dollars were expended in seating, upholstery, fresco work, painting and gilding, superb bronzes, luxurious carpets and costly mirrors. It was- finished on Sat urday, October 7th, and when on Sunday evening, October 8th, only an hour or two before the fire, the house was lit up that its effect might be seen under gas light, not one of the few who were present but »renounced it to be the most gorgeous auditorium in America. A few hours after when Theodore Thomas and his orchestra arrived, a pile of smoking ruins was all that was left of this beautiful temple of art. It was formally dedicated to music in April, 1865, and during the six years of its existence had been the ZOOMS in quo of some of the most memorable leasons of English, French, German and Italian opera, Chicago ever enjoyed. Me Vicker's Theatre had also been not only orna mented anew, but completely re-modelled. Nothing remained of the old theatre but the outside walls, and these were raised an additional story by means of a lofty Mansard roof. The entire interior of the theatre was removed and a ntew one substituted upon an entirely different model. It had been in operation but a few weeks when the fire occurred, having opened to stock business in the most suc- :essful manner. Mr. Jefferson (Rip Van Winkle) was to have commenced a season, October 9th, and 154 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: like Mr. Thomas arrived in Chicago just in time to witness the destruction of the theatre. Hooley's Opera House was constructed a little more than a year ago, by remodelling Bryan Hall, one of the old concert halls of the city. During the first year of its existence it was devoted to burnt cork minstrelsy. During the summer of 1871, the house was refitted, the stage enlarged and thoroughly equipped, and in September it was regularly opened as a comedy theatre, under the management of Mr. Frank Aiken, who a month or two later associated with himself Mr. Frank Lawlor, and leased the building for five years. It had been in operation but a few weeks, when the fire swept it away. Unlike Hooley's Opera House, the Dearborn Theatre first opened as a dramatic house, under the management of Mr. Frank Aiken, who after a few months took the management of Wood's Museum. The Dearborn then changed colors and was, up to the time of its destruction, known as the Home of the Dearborn Minstrels, under the management of Messrs. Brand and Van Fleet. Wood's Museum, which combined the attractions of a theatrical stage and curiosity department, was one of the old established institutions of the city. During its long existence, it had met with many vicissitudes, and was rapidly going from worse to worse, under different managers, when Col. Wood, who for many years had been associated with Mr. Barnum, assumed the management and made it a ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 155 iuccess. Two or three years ago, however, he re tired and Mr. Aiken stepped in. It did not succeed under his management, and last summer Col. Wood once more was prevailed upon to try his fortune with it He completely refitted it, enlarged the curiosity department, and had just opened with an entirely new theatrical company, under the management of Mr. J. S. Langrishe, when it was burned. In addition to these regular places of amusement, he following public halls were burned: Farwell Hall, one of the most elegant in the country, the home of the Young Men's Christian Association, ;apable of seating 3,200 people ; Metropolitan Hall, ised mostly for lectures ; Crosby's Music Hall, ad joining the Opera House ; Uhlich Hall, occupied by the Germania Meennerchor; North Market Hall, occupied by the Concordia Meennerchor; Turner Hall, erected by the North Division Turn-Vereins ; and the German Hall, the home of German drama. The principal public galleries of paintings were three in number, viz. : the Opera House, Academy of Design and Historical Society's collections. The paintings in the Opera House Gallery had remained without any important changes, as they were at the last annual reception, in the winter of 1870. The most noted picture of the gallery was Bierstadt's "' Yo Semite Valley." Nearly every picture in the collection was saved through the energy of the super intendent, Mr. Aitken. The managers of the Academy of Design were 156 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: not so fortunate. The gallery was a large one, containing some two hundred and fifty or three hundred works by the best American artists. Eothermel's historical work, " The Battle of Gettys burg," and some pictures by Bierstadt and the Harts were saved, but the greater number were lost, as the artists, many of whom had studios in the build ing, had no means of removing them. In addition to the paintings, the splendid collection of casts from the most celebrated antiques, which were in the antique school connected with the Academy, were also lost. The collection at the rooms of the Historical Society was known as the Healey Gallery, and with the exception of an original Conture (" The Prodi gal Son") were painted by Mr. G. P. A. Healey, the eminent portrait painter, now in Rome. Among them were portraits from life, of Daniel AVeb- ster replying to Hayne, Clay, Calhoun, Buchanan, Pierce, Louis Phillippe, Marshal Soult (a copy), Miss Sneyd, the famous English belle, and many of the founders and officers of the society. In the destruction of private libraries, the losses were very severe. Horace White, Esq., the editor of the Chicago Tribune, lost a valuable political and classical library. Hon. J. N. Arnold, and Messrs. Perry Smith, George L. Dunlap, Obadiah Jackson, J. T. Jewett, and other residents of the North Division, lost valuable miscellaneous libraries. E. B. McCagy lost one of the most valuable philologi cal libraries, and J. Y. Scammon, one of the most ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 157 xtensive Swedenborgian libraries in the United States. E. M. Moore, a widely known art con noisseur, lost one of the most elegant art libraries in the country. Fifteen or twenty clergymen were burned out, and their libraries were in most cases a total loss. The Sanitary Department has a list of nearly 200 physicians who were burned out. Many, if not all of these, lost their offices, instruments and books ; and at least five hundred lawyers lost their libraries also. It is probably a fair estimate to set the loss of theological, medical and law libraries Jone at $500,000, while the accumulations in the book stores would swell this amount into millions. The Young Men's Association Library numbered 20,000 volumes, including a complete set of the British Patent Office Reports, the only one in the country. The library of the Historical Society was one of great historical value and embraced 50,000 »und volumes; 145,000 pamphlets; a large col lection of manuscripts and several complete news paper files. The library of the Academy of Science numbered 5,000 volumes, devoted to the specialties of that institution. The Young Men's Christian Association, during the past two or three years, had iccumulated 10,000 volumes, mostly of a theological "haracter. The Union Catholic Library, although commenced quite recently, numbered 5,000 volumes, .mostly of a sectarian character. The Franklin Library, which pertained to " the art preservative ni arts," was organized two or three years since by a printer, and had already reached the handsome 158 THE GEEAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: number of 3,000 volumes, many of which were exceedingly old and rare. Placing the libraries of smaller Associations at 10,000 volumes, we have in all a loss of over 100,000 volumes in the public libraries. It may be considered absurd to attempt to form an estimate of the number of books de stroyed by the fire, but estimating moderately, we are inclined to think that it will reach between two and three millions—a literary holocaust, compared with which the destruction of the Alexandrinian and Strasburg libraries seem insignificant. The following is a complete list of the news papers and periodicals which were burned out: Art Review, the Augustana, Bouquet, Programme, the Lorgnette, Chicago Advertiser, Board of Trade Report, Chicago Col jtor, Commercial Bulletin, Commercial Express, Chicago Democrat, Dry Goods Price List, Evening Journal, Mail, Evening Post, Home Journal, Happy Hours, Journal of Com merce, Legal News, Homœpathic Magazine, Med ical Times, the Lens, Microscopical Journal, the Schoolmaster, Railway Review, Railway Gazette, Republican, Chicago Union, Chicago Cynosure, the Progress, Commercial Report and Market Review, Congregational Review, Chicago Magazine of Fashion, Die Freie Presse, Evening Lamp, Every body's Paper, the Present Age, the Fremad, Gamla- och Nya, Gem of the West, Soldier's Friend, Heav enly Tidings, Home Circle and Temperance Oracle, .Little Corporal, Staats Zeitung, Volk's Zeitung, the Amerikanische Farmer, Lakeside Monthly, Life ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 159 Boat, Lyceum Banner, Manford's Magazine, Mis- sionarien, National Prohibitionist, National Sunday "school Teacher, Song Festival, Song Messenger, Lyon and Healey's Musical Journal, Northwestern Christian Advocate, the Choir, Northwestern Re view, the Bureau, the Examiner, Nya Veriden, Our Boys, Present Age, Real Estate and Building Jour nal, American Builder, the Arts, the Bright Side, the Catholic Weekly, Chicago Weekly, Chicago Ledger, Chicago Mercantile Journal, Chicago Times, Chicago Tribune, the Chronicle, the Detector, the Family Circle, the Herald, the Independent, the Interior, the New Covenant, the Land Owner, the Landewerth and Hausfreund, the Mechanic and Inventor, the National, the Prairie Farmer, the People's Weekly, the Repo er, the Restitution, the Spectator, the Standard, the \mday School Helper, the Workingman's Advocate, the Young Messenger, Western Catholic, Western Railway Guide, Rand and McNally's Railway Guide, Western Rural, Young Folk's Rural, Young Pilot and Little Men, the Advance, Bryant and Chase's Commercial Col lege Paper, and Author's Sketch Books. Total 107. The Florists. There was one business in Chicago which was utterly burned out, and not a store left in the city. It was that of the florists who were located as follows : Dr. Farrell in the Tribune building ; Desmond and McCormack on Dearborn street; 160 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION—CHICAGO: Gordon Brothers, on Washington street; Charles Reisig, on Washington street; Samuel Muir, on Lake street; Edgar Sanders, on Dearborn street; Krick Bros., Miller and Sons, Pettigrew and Reid, in the North Division. In curious coincidence, the seed stores of Hovey, Emerson and Stafford, P. S. Meserole, Carpenter and Johnson, the Chicago Seed Co., and Fogg and Son, embracing every seed store in the city were also consumed. Statement by the Fire Marshal of Chicago. On the 14th of November a reporter of the Chi cago Trïïmne "interviewed" the Fire Marshal of Chicago, when the following conversation took place between them: Reporter. I desire you to give me a statement in regard to the fire—its progress from the time it commenced until you ceased your attempts to sub due it. MarsJial Williams. I had been to Box No. 28 —I cannot tell the exact time. I was just crossing Franklin street, going to my house, when that alarm came in. While returning from 28 I told my driver that we were going to have a "burn," as I felt it in my bones, and I said to him, " I am going to bed so as to get some sleep." I went to bed, and was asleep when my gong struck; that was between half-past 9 and 10 o'clock. When I got to the fire I should think there were some six or seven buildings ablaze DRAKE AND FARWELL BLOCK, WABA5H AVENUE. ILLINOIS AND MICHIGAN CENTRAL RAILROAD DEPOT. ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 163 —sheds and outhouses. We got it under control, and it would not have gone a foot further, but the next thing I knew they came and told me St. Paul's Church, about two squares • north, was on fire. I told George Raw, foreman of Hook and Ladder 2, to put his longest ladder on the truck and go to the church, because I knew the wind was blowing so hard that we couldn't raise a stream high enough to strike the roof. The citizens got hold of the ladder, threw it down, and broke it into two pieces. I was on the north side of the fire then, and I went up to the church. When I got there I asked Eaw where the ladder was, and he said the citizens had broken it. We surrounded the church fire—I had three engines working on it; the Eehm stood on the corner of Clinton and Mather streets, working that plug, and it was so hot there that the engineer had to put up a door to protect himself. The Gund was on the east side of the church, and the Coventry on the north. We got it checked; it was not gain ing any headway; the church had fallen in. There iras a drug store on the opposite side of the street— on the northwest corner, and a row of buildings north of it, and these caught fire several times. We held the fire at bay, and the next thing I knew the fire was in Bateham's planing mill. When I got there, I found that the match factory between Bate- ham's and Clinton street was going, as was the lumber in a yard near by, just north of it. We got two streams in there, but couldn't do any good, as the fire was thick and heavy, and ran along to 10 ««iiiiny 164 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: another lumber yard north, and spread east to the old red mill. I went north then to head it off, and found it was down to Harrison street. Commis sioner Chadwick came to me and said: "Don't you know the fire is ahead of you"?" I told him, it was getting ahead of me in spite of all I could do; it was just driving me right along. I got down to Van Buren street and was working the engines there, but it was so hot that the men were obliged to run for their lives, leaving their hose on the ground. They came to me and asked, what they were to do about hose, and 1 said: "God only knows." Reporter. Hadn't you any hose in reserve? Williams. Not a foot. Every foot of available hose was in use. The statement that several thousand feet of hose was burned in the Armory is not true. After the Burlington warehouse fire every foot of it was taken out of there and put in service. When the fire was raging on both sides of Canal street, and among the furniture that was piled up in the street —mattresses, bureaus, tables, chairs, and everything of that nature had been piled upon the east side of the street, and helped amazingly to set the buildings on that side of the street on fire—several of the en gines were obliged topullup and leave their hose. The foremen came to me and asked for hose, and I told them I had none to give them, and the steamers were entirely useless. We got the Gund, located on the corner of Van Buren and Canal streets, and led her hose up Van Buren street into an alley ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 165 running south, and tried to cut off the fire in the rear of the corner building, because I knew, if it came through that building the long row on the north side of the street was sure to go, and it wouM be hot around there. The flames rolled over the men who were with the engine on the corner, and I told the foreman to get her out or we would lose her. I asked some citizens for help, and we ran up to uncouple the section from the plug, and others commenced to uncouple the hose, and I thought if we got the engine away, we would lose the hose. Just then a wave of flame came rolling over the street, and I was obliged to get away. Hose was afterwards attached to the axle of the Gund, and the citizens pulled her into the sidewalk, where she was burned up. When I got on to Canal street, I met Alec McGonegal, foreman of the Long John, and he told me, there was a fire on the south side. I told him to go for it, and I jumped on a hose cart and went over too. I was satisfied that the fire on the west side could not burn any further north, because of the space left by Saturday night's fire, and that the wind would prevent it from going west. I thought, if the fire had reached the south side, I must go and look after it. Reporter. W here .were the Assistant Engineers? Williams. Where they were, I could not tell at that time. I had been falling back before the fire, and I didn't know where anybody was. When I reached the south side—I went across Madison street bridge—the Long John was ahead of me. I 166 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: went south on Market street, and when I got to Monroe street, I found that the gas works were on fire. I took a look around, and saw that • the Ar mory and the block up to Wells street was going fast. We formed a line, and had two steamers fighting the fire on Monroe street, and keeping it from getting into the express barn near Wells street, and another building west. We played on those buildings and kept the fire from spreading west. The Economy's stream was in the block between Monroe and Adams streets, and the men were afraid the gas reservoir would explode and blow every thing to pieces. I took a view of the property, and saw it was bound to go, despite our efforts. I ran out of the yard and went over to Monroe street again and got another steamer to work. It was of- no use; the fire jumped over our heads and ignited some of the frame buildings in the rear of those , fronting on Madison street. I knew, there was no use remaining where we were, so I ordered the fore men to take up. When I reached Madison street. 1 t 1 found that there was fire in the rear of the Oriental Building, in the centre of the block. Prescott's row, on the north side of the street, was not touched; the fire was all in the rear, among the shanties and barns. I got the Economy to work on the corner of Washington and La Salle streets, and led the hose in through the stairway opposite. We were not in there three minutes before a sheet of flame rolled over us and the boys dropped the pipe and ran for their lives. The wind was blowing so heavy at the ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 167 time that the water would not go ten feet from the nozzle of the pipe. We could not strike a second story window. When we came through the stair way on La Salle street, the Court House was on fire, and the next thing the Board of Trade was ablaze. At this place I learned that Alderman Hildreth was around with powder to blow up buildings. He came to me and said, "We have got to let everything go, and begin to blow up. Where will we make a start?" I said, "I don't know, for the fire is going so fast, we can't have time to make a start and know that everybody is out of the buildings." I said if we did anything then, we had better take the corner building—the southwest corner of La Salle and Washington streets. I told him to be sure to get all the people out, as there were many in it then. I then went to work and got my two engines to play on the Sherman House to keep it from burning, I thought we would be able to save it on account of the open space opposite. But, my God ! there was a piece of board six feet long that came over and landed right on top of the Tribune building on Clark street, and it was not two minutes before that row was on fire. The flames went from there into Wood's Museum, and from there it went in all directions. A fire then started in the rear of the Sherman House among those stables, and away everything went. I couldn't tell how it did go. It went whichever way it pleased. Miller's jewelry store was set on fire by the awnings in front of the windows; they were regular bags to catch sparks. Mill «mini ílíí IK 168 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION—CHICAGO: From there the fire went as it pleased. The Fire Department got separated; some went east, others west, and others south. Where Hildreth did the blowing up, I don't know. I heard that he tried to blow up Nixon's building, but don't know whether he did or not. While I was wetting down the front of the Sherman House, and was doing well, I was told that the Water W^orks were on fire. I jumped into my wagon and drove over to see if it was true, and when 1 got near there I saw that the roof was all on fire, and burning rapidly, and the flames roll ing out of every opening of the building. I made up my mind then that the whole city was gone. There was no possible chance for the north side, any more than there was for the south. Reporter. Do you know what took place on the southern line of the fire? Williams. No; 1 had my hands full where I was, so that I could not tell what happened there. Reporter. Did you see any of the Assistant Engineers'? Williams. I did not see Schank, the First As sistant, during the whole fire. I do not know where he was, but he was around somewhere. I saw Wal ters on the west side and again in front of the long John's house. Brenner was on the south line of the fire, and can tell you about that. ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 169 Statement of Mr. Brenner. Matt Brenner, the Third Assistant Marshal, was also interviewed, and, after giving an account of his adventures on the west side, which consisted of ordering pipemen in here and pipemen in there to save buildings, and prevent the spreading of the flames south detailed his experience on the south side He and the men under his command had worked hard on the west side, and kept the build ings south of the southern line of the fire damp as long as the water lasted. Everything was con sidered safe, when he was told that there was fire on the south side. He left one engine on the corner of Taylor and Canal streets, and ordered the others over to the south side. Two got over all right, but the third was detained for nearly an hour, by a train of cars standing across Twelfth street. When he reached the corner of Harrison and Ciarle streets, he found the T. B. Brown at work. A row of buildings on the northeast corner had just caught fire, and he ordered the pipemen to lead the hose into the rear of them. Water at this time was very scarce, there being hardly enough for a "decent stream." Two leads of hose were put on, but before water could be got into the second lead the Jewish Synagogue, on the corner of Harrison street and Fourth avenue, ignited. An effort was made to pull the plaster off, so that throwing water in the build ing would do some good, but the ceiling was so •"'•muí U «lililí 170 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: high, it could not be done. The fire eat its way east very fast, omitting to gut a block or a building at intervals; and Brenner meeting Schank, the First Assistant, left him in charge there, and went after the fire. He went over to Wabash avenue and found the Rice and another engine forming a line to take water from the basin at the foot of Van Buren street. The hose was not long enough to reach the buildings on fire, which were on the west side of State street. It soon became so hot that the men were driven away from where they were sta tioned, and the flames came so near the Eice that she had to be moved. Her withdrawal broke the "line," and no more water could be obtained. A lot of hose was also lost, the occupants of the dwellings on Wabash avenue having piled their household goods on it, and these catching fire it was burned up. After this Brenner went over to Michigan avenue, and there saw two young men in a wagon, which was filled with powder in kegs. One of them asked him where he wanted the powder, and he told him to go south to Harrison street, and wait until he came up. He subsequently went after the pow der, but could not find the wagon. He then went to the corner of Harrison street and Wabash avenue, and heard "a blow up." He looked around, and presently found Aid. Hildreth and several others, who were about to blow up a brick building on Harrison street, near the church. A keg of powder was put into the basement, but it only shattered the house. Some parties then suggested that the church ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 171 be blown up, and it was sometime before they could be convinced of the uselessness of it, as the church was strong and well built, and able to stop the fire. Several brick buildings on Wabash avenue were also blown up, and this checked the spread of the flames. In the afternoon it became evident that the fire would not go further south, and everything being considered safe, Brenner went home. He did not learn until the next day that the fire had spread over the north side, and was surprised when told such was the case. The Patrol Duties. For several nights after the fire, citizens organized themselves into patrol parties and watched their property. Several very humorous episodes occurred during these night watches. A great rush was made by the poor for passes out of the city on Wednesday. Among one of the most persevering applicants was an unlucky Ger man. After two days' patient but unsuccessful vaiting, without a roof to shelter him and utterly friendless, he was left at night to wander through the streets. H is*1 loitering pace aroused the suspi- îions of one of those Argus-eyed "patrols" whose uneasily-worn honors gave—as it did to too many of the class—an enlarged idea of his own importance, and who, believing that vigilance was the price of safety, exercised his newly acquired authority upon late walkers with no slight exhibition of pride. He 172 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: startled the sleepy German with the stentorian challenge, "Who goes there?" and with a haste * that indicated his dread of a too close intimacy with the "unknown," followed the challenge with, "Halt, and give the pass." The limited acquaintance of the German with the English vernacular prevented him from making a satisfactory reply, when the excited sentinel sounded the alarm, and the patrolmen coming to his rescue, they unitedly bore off in triumph to headquarters struggling Hans. Not doubting they had caught an incendiary, preparations were made for an im mediate court-martial, the German all the while struggling with his captors and his English. The severe cross-examination \vas about to begin, when the mystery was explained by a lucky speech of the German, who, gesticulating wildly, exclaimed: "Vat for you bring me? Ich bin arm. Ein hundred mensch say in alles strausse, 'Your bass;' and anoder say, ' Your bass; ' ven I try ein, und anoder, und drie day to get vun bass to go a little vay, und every body gives me no bass, und you"—pointing to the vigilant patrolman, imitating his actions—"say, give me ein bass, ven I no get vun bass far myself." The shout of laughter which followed this dram atic defence of the German convinced him of the good-will of his captors, but that vigilant patrolman at whose expense the laugh arose is yet badgered with the question: "By the by, have you got your pass yet?" One other incident will illustrate another aspect ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 173 of this "patrol business," which, while we have no doubt it was as a temporary expedient very necessary to the safety of the city, was also a "war measure," endangering lives almost as much as it protected property. A bold son of Erin was initiated into the mys teries of a patrolman's duties, and being placed at a dangerous post in a dark and lonesome alley, was told to allow no one to pass if they did not say, "Sheridan," which was the countersign for that night. The night was dark, and the captain of the patrol thought he would go see how Paddy was getting along. Turning into the alley he came suddenly upon the valorous sentinel intrenched be hind a wood-pile, who bringing his gun to his shoulder, cocked it and aimed it at the intruder all in the same moment, and only paused before firing to shout at the captain: "Halt ! and say Sheridan !" His services as a patrolman were no longer required. Proclamations. The following proclamations are worthy to be preserved as mementoes of the great fire: BY THE GOVERNOR OF ILLINOIS. STATE OF ILLINOIS, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT. JOHN M. PALMER, GOVERNOR OF ILLINOIS, To all whom these presents shall come, greeting : Whereas, in my judgment, the great calamity that has overtaken Chicago, the largest city of the "i lililí i. 174 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: State^ that has deprived many thousands of our citizens of homes and rendered them destitute ; that has destroyed many millions in value of property, and thereby disturbing the business of the people and deranging the finances of the State, and inter rupting the execution of the laws, is and constitutes "an extraordinary occasion" within the irue intent and meaning of the eighth section of the fifth article of the Constitution. Now, therefore, I, John M. Palmer, Governor of the State of Illinois, do by this, my proclamation, convene and invite the two Houses of the General Assembly in session in the city of Springfield, on Friday, the 13th day of the month of October, in the year of our Lord 1871, at 12 o'clock noon of said day, to take into consideration the following subjects:— 1. To appropriate such sum or sums of money, or adopt such other legislative measures as may be thought judicious, necessary, or proper, for the relief of the people of the city of Chicago. 2. To make provision, by amending the revenue laws or otherwise, for the proper and just assess ment and collection of taxes within the city of Chicago. 3. To enact such other laws and to adopt such other measures as may be necessary for the relief ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 175 of the city of Chicago and the people of said city, ana for the execution and enforcement of the laws of the State. 4. To make appropriations for the expenses of the General Assembly, and such other appropria tions as may be necessary to carry on the State government. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the great seal of State to [SEAL.] be affixed. Done at the city of Spring field, this 10th day of October, A. D. 1871. JOHN M. PALMER. By the Governor, EDWARD EUMMELL, Secretary of State. BY THE GOVERNOR OF WISCONSIN. To the People of Wisconsin : Throughout the northern part of this State fires have been raging in the woods for many days, spreading desolation on every side. It is reported that hundreds of families have been rendered home- lpss by this devouring element, and reduced to utter destitution, their entire crops having been consumed. Their stock has been destroyed, and their farms are but a blackened desert. Unless they receive instant aid from portions not visited by this dreadful cal amity, they must perish. í,:',, 176 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: The telegraph also brings the terrible news that a large portion of the city of Chicago is destroyed by a conflagration, which is still raging. Many thousands of people are thus reduced to penury, stripped of their all, and are now destitute of shelter and food. Their sufferings will be intense, and many may perish unless provisions are at once sent to them from the surrounding country. They must be assisted now. In the awful presence of such calamities the people of WisQonsin will not be backward in giving assist ance to their afflicted fellow-men. I, therefore, recommend that immediate organized effort be made in every locality to forward provi sions ' and money to the sufferers by this visitation, and suggest to mayors of cities, presidents of vil lages, town supervisors, pastors of churches, and to the various benevolent societies, that they devote themselves immediately to the work of organizing effort, collecting contributions, and sending forward supplies for distribution. And I entreat all to give of their abundance to help those in such sore distress. Given under my hand, at the Capitol, at Madi son, this 9th day of October, A. fl. 1871. Lucius FAIRCHILD. ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. BY THE GOVERNOR OF MICHIGAN. 177 STATE or MICHIGAN, EXECUTIVE OFFICE, LANSING, October 9. The city of Chicago, in the neighboring State of Illinois, has been visited, in the providence of Al mighty God, with a calamity almost unequalled in the annals of history. A large portion of that beauti ful and most prosperous city has been reduced to ashes and is now in ruins. Many millions of dollars in property, the accumulation of years of industry and toil, have been swept away in a moment. The ich have been reduced to penury, the poor have lost the little they possessed, and many thousands of people rendered homeless and houseless, and are now without the absolute necessaries of life. I, therefore, earnestly call upon the citizens of every portion of Michigan to take immediate measures for alleviating the pressing wants of that fearfully af flicted city by collecting and forwarding to the Mayor, or proper authorities of Chicago, supplies of food as well as liberal collections of money. Let this sore calamity of our neighbors remind us of. the uncer tainty of earthly possessions, and that when one member suffers all the members should suffer with it. I cannot doubt that the whole people of the State will most gladly, and most promptly, and most liberally respond to this urgent demand upon their sympathy; but no words of mine , can plead so strongly as the calamity itself. HENRY P. BALDWIN, Governor of Michigan. wiiii ilium in „„ ("in L9 lililí ill 178 TEE GREAT CONFLAGRATION—CHICAGO: BT TEE GOVERNOR OF IOWA. To flie People of Iowa: An appalling calamity has befallen our sister State. Her metropolis—the great city of Chicago— is in ruins. Over 100,000-people are without shelter or food, except as supplied by others. A helping hand let us now promptly give. Let the liberality of our people, so lavishly displayed during the long period of national peril, come again to the front, to lend succor in this hour of distress. I would urge the 'appointment at once of relief committees in every city, town, and township, and I respectfully ask the local authorities to call meetings of the citizens to devise ways and means to render efficient aid. I would also ask the pastors of the various churches throughout the Sfate to take up collections on Sunday morning next, or at such other time as they may deem proper, for the relief of the sufferers. Let us not be satisfied with any spasmodic effort. There will be need of relief of a substantial char acter to aid the many thousands to prepare for the rigors of the coming winter. The magnificent public charities of that city, now paralyzed, can do little to this end. Those who live in homes of comfort and plenty must furnish this help, or misery and suffer ing will be the fate of many thousands of our neigh bors. SAMUEL MERRILL, Governor. DES MOINES, October 10, 1871. il1,-—.,. -y. . i! ' iiiini'iimiiiiiimiin immune « «m™ \ 111111 mull Hi ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 181 BY THE GOVERNOR OF OHIO. CHICAGO, October 12. To the People of OJiio: It is believed by the best informed citizens here that many thousands of the sufferers must be provided with the necessaries of life during the coming winter. Let the efforts to raise contributions be energetically pushed. Money, fuel, flour, pork, clothing, aud other articles not perishable should be collected as rapidly as possible—especially money, fuel, and flour. Mr. Joseph Medill, of The Tribune, îstimates the number of those who will need assist ance at about 70,000. R. B. HATES, Governor of Ohio. BY MAYOR MASON. Whereas, in the Providence of God, to whose will we humbly submit, a terrible calamity has be fallen our city, whichjiemands of us our best efforts for the preservation of order and the relief of the suffering. Be it known that the faith and credit of the city of Chicago is hereby pledged for the necessary ex penses for the relief of the suffering. Public order will be preserved. The Police, and Special Police now being appointed, will be responsible for the 11 182 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: maintenance of the peace and the protection of property. All officers and men of the Fire Depart ment and Health Department will act as Special Policemen without further notice. The Mayor and Comptroller will give vouchers for all supplies fur nished by the different Belief Committees. The head-quarters of the City Government will be at the Congregational Church, corner of West Washington and Ann streets. All persons are warned against any acts tending to endanger property. All per sons caught in any depredation will be immediately arrested. With the help of God, order and peace and pri vate property shall be preserved. The City Govern ment and committees of citizens pledge themselves to the community to protect them, and prepare the for a restoration of public and private welfare. It is believed' the fire has spent its force, and all will soon be well. K. B. MASON, Mayor. GEORGE TATLOR, Comptroller, (By K. B. MASON.) CHARLES C. P. HOLDEN, President Common Council. 1. B. BROWN, President Board of Police. CHICAGO, October 9,1871. ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 183 1. All citizens are requested to exercise great caution in the use o£, fire in their dwellings and not to use kerosene lights at present, as the city will be without a full supply of water- for probably two or three days. 2. The following bridges are passable, to wit: All bridges (except Van Buren and Adams streets) from Lake street south, and all bridges over the North Branch of the Chicago river. 3. All good citizens who are willing to serve, are requested to report at the corner of Ann and Wash ington streets, to be sworn in as special policemen. Citizens are requested to organize a police for each block in the city, and to send reports of such organization to the police head-quarters, corner of Union and West Madison streets. All persons needing food will be relieved by ap plying at the following places: At the corner of Ann and West Washington ; Illinois Central Railroad round house. M. S. E. R.—Twenty-second street station. C. B. & Q. R. R.—Canal street depot. St. L. & A. R. R.—Near Sixteenth street. C. & N. W. R. R.—Corner of Kinzie and Canal streets. il Hill j i|», •willffKüj 184 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION—CHICAGO: All the public school houses, and at nearly all the churches. 4. Citizens are requested to avoid passing through the burnt districts until the dangerous walls left standing can be levelled. 5. All saloons are ordered to be closed at 9 p. M. every day for one week, under a penalty of forfeiture of license. 6. The Common Council have this day by ordi nance fixed the price of bread at eight (8) cents per loaf of twelve ounces, and at the same rate for loaves of a less or greater weight, and affixed a penalty of ten dollars for selling, or attempting to sell, bread at a greater rate within the next ten days. 7. Any hackman, expressman, drayman or team ster charging more than the regular fare, will have his license revoked. All citizens are requested to aid in preserving the peace, good order and good name of our city. K. B. MASON, Mayor. October 10,1871. ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 185 BY LIEUT.-GEN. SHERIDAN. CHICAGO, October 9. To GENERAL BELKNAP, Secretary of War; The city of Chicago is almost utterly destroyed by fire. There is now reasonable hope of arresting it if the wind, which is yet blowing a gale, does not change. I ordered, on your authority, rations from St. Louis, tents from Jeffersonville, and two compa nies of infantry from Omaha. There will be many houseless people, much distress. P. H. SHERIDAN, Lieut-Oen. CHICAGO, October 9. W. W. BELKNAP, Secretary of War: The fire here last night and to-day has destroyed almost all that was very valuble in this city. There is not a business house, bank, or hotel left. Most of the best part of the city is gone. Without exag gerating, all the valuable portion of the city is in ruins. I think not less than 100,000 people are houseless, and those who had the most wealth are now poor. It seems to me to be such a terrible s- fortune that it may with propriety be considered a national calamity. P. H. SHERIDAN, lAeut.-Gen. •i«> ¡"111 ill um h 186 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: WASHINGTON, October. 10. LIEUTENANT-GENERAL SHERIDAN, CHICAGO: I agree with you that the fire is a national calamity; the sufferers have the sincere sympathy of the nation. Officers at the depots at St. Louis, Jeífersonville, and elsewhere, have been ordered to forward supplies liberally and promptly. WM. W. BELKNAP, Secretary of War. HEAD-QUARTERS MILITARY Div. or THE MISSOURI, CHICAGO, October 11, 1871. GOVERNOR JOHN M PALMER, SPRINGFIELD: Seven companies of United States troops are here or coming, and a regiment is being organized for twenty days' service, from the old soldiers in the city,—which I think will be ample. Shall keep your volunteers for a day or so. Thanks for them. P. H. SHERIDAN. HEAD-QUARTERS MILITARY Dr?. OF THE MISSOURI, CHICAGO, October 12. To HIS HONOR THE MAYOR :— The preservation of peace and good order of the city having been entrusted to me by your Honor, I am happy to state that no case of outbreak or disor der has been reported. No authenticated attempt at incendiarism has reached me, and the people of the city are calm, quiet, and well-disposed. ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 187 The force at my disposal is ample to maintain order, should it be necessary, and protect the district devastated by fire. Still, I would suggest to citizens not to relax in their watchfulness until the smoulder ing fires of the burnt buildings are entirely extin guished. P. H. SHEEIDAN, Lieut.-Geríl. HEAD-QUARTERS MILITARY Div. OF THE MISSOURI, CHICAGO, ILL., Octoler 11,1871. GENERAL F. T. SHERMAN: DEAR SIR:—With the approbation of the Mayor of this city, Lieutenant-General Sheridan directs that you organize a regiment of infantry, to consist of ten (10) companies; each company to consist of one (1) Captain, one (1) First and one (1; Second Lieutenant, and sixty (60) enlisted men, to serve as guards for the protection of the remaining portion of the city of Chicago, for the period of twenty days. Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, JAMES B. FRY, Assistant Adjutant-General. The regiment was partly composed of companies of the State militia ordered by Lieutenant-General Sheridan, or some of his subordinates, to report to him or them, and of recruits enlisted under their authority. An extract from the order of Lieuten- 188 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: ant-General Sheridan, mustering these troops out of service, will show its organization: HEAD-QUARTERS MILITARY Div. OF THE MISSOURI, CHICAGO, ILL., October 24,1871. General Orders, No. 5. The First Regiment Chicago Volunteers, raised with the approbation of the Mayor, and in pursuance of orders dated October llth, 1871, from these head-quarters, is hereby honorably mustered out of service, and discharged. This regiment was constituted as follows: Colonel Frank T. Sherman, First Chicago Volun teers, commanding. Major C. H. Dyer, Adjutant. Major Charles T. Scammon, Aid-de-Camp. lieutenant-Colonel H. Osterman, First Regiment National Guards, Illinois State Militia. Major G. A. Bender, First Regiment National Guards, Illinois State Militia. Captain Fischer's Company (A), First Regiment National Guards, Illinois State Militia. Captain Pasch's Company (D), First Regiment National Guards, Illinois State Militia. Captain Cronas' Company (G), First Regiment National Guards, Illinois State Militia. Captain Paul's Company (H), First Regiment National Guards, Illinois State Militia. ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 189 Captain Kelter's Company (I), First Regiment National Guards, Illinois State Militia. Captain Rogers' Company (B), First Chicago Volunteers, Lieutenant Adams, commanding. Captain Merrill's Company (C), First Chicago Volunteers. Captain Baker's Company (K), First Chicago Volunteers, recruited by Captain Whittlesey. Captain Colson's Company, University Cadets. Captain Crowley's Company, Montgomery Light Guards. Captain McCarthy's Company, Mulligan Zouaves. Captain Ryan's Company, Sheridan Guards. Captain Suiter's Company, Chicago Cadets. Captain Williams' Company, Hannibal Zouaves. The Norwegian Battalion of National Guards. Major Alstrup, commanding. Ole Bendixen, Adjutant. Captain Paulsen's Company (A). Captain Eck's Company (B). Captain Johnson's Company (C). Captain Beutzen's Company (D). HEAD-QUARTERS MILITARY Div. OF THE MISSOURI, CHICAGO, October 25, 1871. To the Adj. Oeríl of tlie Army, Washington, D. C. : Sir:—The disorganized condition of affairs in this C1ty produced by and immediately following the late "«ill11«il l'Ut1 190 TEE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: fire, induced the city authorities to ask for assistance from the military forces, as shown by the Mayor's proclamation of October 11th, 1871. [Copy herewith marked A.] To protect the public interests, en trusted to me by the Mayor's proclamation, I called to this city Companies A and K of the Ninth In fantry, from Omaha ; Companies A, H and K of the Fifth Infantry, from Leavenworth ; Company I, Sixth Infantry, from Fort Scott ; and accepted the kind offer of Major-General Halleck to send to me Companies F, N and K of the Fourth, and Company E of the Sixteenth Infantry, from Kentucky. I also, with the approbation of the Mayor, called into'the service of the city of Chicago, a regiment of volun teers for twenty days. [Copy of this call enclosed herewith, marked B.] These troops, both regulars and volunteers, were actively engaged during their service here in protecting the treasure in the burnt district, guarding the unburnt district from disorders and danger by further fires, and in protecting the storehouses, depots and sub-depots of supplies, es tablished for the relief of sufferers from the fire. These duties were terminated on the 23d inst, as shown from letters herewith (marked C, D and E), and on the 24th inst. the regulars started to their respective stations, and the volunteers were dis charged, as shown by special order No. 76, and gen eral No. 5, from these head-quarters. [Copies here with.] It is proper to mention that these volunteers were not taken into the service of the United States, and no orders, agreements, or promises were made ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 191 giving them any claims against the United States for services rendered. I am, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, P. H. SHERIDAN, Lieutenant-General Commanding. BY THE MAYOR OF NEW YORK. MAYOR'S OFFICE, NEW YORK, Afternoon of October 9. A disaster has fallen on the great city of Chicago, which not only has destroyed the best part of its dwellings, and paralyzed its industry and its busi ness, but threatens the gravest consequences to the commerce and prosperity of our country. It has also reduced thousands of people to houselessness and privation. A despatch from the Mayor of Chi cago comes in these words:—"Can you send us some aid for a hundred thousand houseless people. Army bread and cheese desirable." I have respon ded that New York will do everything to alleviate this disaster ; and I now call upon the people to make such organization as may be speediest and most effective for the purpose of sending money and clothing and food. I would recommend the imme diate formation of general relief committees, who would take charge of all contributions, in order that no time may be lost in carrying relief to those of our fellow citizens who have fallen under this dis pensation of Providence. I suggest that the Cham ber of Commerce, the Produce Exchange, the Board 192 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: of Brokers, and the united presidents of the banks, and all religious and charitable associations immedi ately call a meeting of their respective members, and from them select independent relief committees, who shall solicit subscriptions of money, food, and clothing within their appropriate spheres of action. In the meantime, I am authorized to state that con tributions of food and clothing sent to the depots of the Erie and Hudson and Central Railroads (under early and spontaneous offers of Jay Gould and Wil liam H. Vanderbilt), in even small quantities, from individuals or business sources, will be at once for warded through to Chicago free of expense. I can not too strongly urge upon our citizens immediate attention to this subject. A. OAKEY HALL, Mayor. BY ALLAN PINKERTON. OFFICE OF PINKERTON'S POLICE. Orders are hereby given to Captains, Lieutenants, Sergeants, and men of Pinkerton's preventive police, that they are in charge of the burning district, in the South Division. Any person stealing, or seek ing to steal any property in my charge, or attempting to break open the safes, as the men cannot make arrests at the present time, they shall kill the persons by my orders. No mercy shall be shown them, but death shall be their fate. ALLAN PINKERTON. ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 193 INCIDENTS. CONCERNING the incidents of that fearful night in the streets of the South Division, volumes might be written. Of course the most exaggerated reports ajid startling incidents were forwarded by the corre spondents of Eastern papers to their respective journals, and for a time the whole country believed that incendiaries were hanging by the scores to lamp posts ; that bridges were swung, filled with the hurrying crowds, who were thus suspended over the river and burned to death ; that hundreds.of women rushed from dwellings with their clothes in a blaze ; that the prisoners in the jail and Bridewell, were left in their cells and biirned to death ; and so on through the gloomy catalogue of horrors. Leaving out what may be attriïmted to excited imaginations, and the mere desire to furnish sensa tional letters, there was still much that was startling and many striking incidents of heroism and suffer ing that are true. In the pages immediately fol lowing we have grouped together a number of these incidents and general facts, which will prove of in terest to the reader. Bookseller's Row, On State street was the fine row of five-story marble front buildings known as " Bookseller's Row." These buildings were 190 feet deep, and «ni lili 194 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION—CHICAGO: including the basements were filled with books and stationery. Griggs & Co., besides a large stock of imported works, had whole floors of school books. The Western News Company, be sides its immense salesroom, had a force of sixty per sons engaged in packing goods. All these stores were elaborately finished, and of course included heavy stocks of paper and other stationery. An exploration of the ruins failed to discover a book, or a sheet or a quire of paper. The only legible thing found was a single leaf, badly scorched, of a Bible and this is said to have contained, though we did not see it, that part of the first chapter of Jeremiah which opens : " How doth the city set solitary that was full of people, how she became as a widow." " She weepeth sore in the night, and her tears are on her cheeks." That is all that was left of the more than a million of books contained in all these immense stores. The rescue of the Dead. On Saturday, a man residing in the North Division died, and the body was prepared for burial on Sun day. In the meantime the fire came along, and a brave son seized the coffin, and struggling under the load slowly tried to escape. The fire moved faster than he did, and getting help he hastened to the lake shore. But the coffin was reached by the heat, and to save it and the body from burning, it ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 195 was thrown into the lake, with a large stone attached to keep it from being carried away. The horrors of the dreadful night were intensified by the painful exhibitions of relatives bearing away from the advancing flames, the bodies of children, mothers and fathers who had died during the twenty-four hours preceding. All other things were abandoned in order to rescue these bodies of their loved ones. In most cases the work had to be performed by the family unaided; and in a majority of such cases, the corpse had to be abandoned at last, even after having been carried a mile or more through the rain of fire. The grief and wailings of the survivors was piteous in the extreme; often men threw away such of their own property as they were saving to aid these afflicted sufferers, but as a rule, and without any actual selfishness, each family had as much as it could possibly do to get beyond the range of the stifling smoke and the ever gain ing heat and blaze. The story is told, but it needs more confirmation before being accepted as true, that a German woman being ill and near death, when the fire reached the premises, the family, unable to remove her, decided not to let her burn, and placing her on a mattress, dropped her into the neighboring river, when she was instantly drowned. It was a choice of deaths, and the decision was one of loving hearts, who unable to save, sought to lessen the horror and physical pain of the last moment. '"iiiniiiin,«,,,..,,,,,,,, in mit;ii, 196 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: Destruction of Trunks. The destruction of trunks during the fire was very great. Almost every person who had one endeavored to carry off a trunk full of the best things he had. As a result the majority of these trunks were unusually heavy, and more than any but a practiced hand could carry alone for any distance. Thousands of trunks were removed from houses and dragged some of them a short and many a long distance, but taking the city as a whole, it is safe to say, that not over half of these trunks escaped destruction in the owner's hands. Those who were so fortunate as to depart early and secure the aid of vehicles, of course saved their trunks, provided they moved beyond the final range of the fire; but hundreds who escaped before daylight, were over taken again before noon, and obliged to fly, leaving this time to be burned up all that they had rescued in their earlier flight. Owners of express and other wagons in some instances kindly aided in the escape of families and removal of baggage, but avarice was too powerful for others. $50 and $100 were demanded in advance before they would remove a single trunk. One of the government officers after having done his duty at the office returned to his residence to find it threatened by fire. He found an express wagon, and offered to pay $30 for carrying three trunks a few blocks to a railroad depot. When the trunks were in the wagon, he demanded his money, and though he knew the P Mill III] ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 199 officer personally, threw the trunks out when the latter said he had but $25 with him. As the fire progressed, the sums demanded increased. The clerks of a law publishing house rescued the electro type plates and a number of works, and piled them on the sidewalk. $100 was demanded to move them out of the range of the fire, and because the clerks could not pay him that sum in advance, he drove away, and $10,000 worth of electrotypes were, an hour later, melted into a mass. This avarice soon degenerated into dishonesty, and drivers refused to hire on any terms and coursed the streets picking up abandoned trunks, and other property which they carried off as their own. Still the amount of property stolen on that night and the day succeeding was comparatively insignificant. There was no time for stealing. The thief lingered behind the fugitive owner to appropriate what the latter had left, but the fire was immediately at hand. No article of bulk could be stolen without the aid of a horse and vehicle, and these, in order to reach a place of safety, had to make circuitous journeys o long that no second trip was possible. That much was stolen by rogues on foot and rogues in drays, wagons and other vehicles is most true, but it was of little profit. Except in the case of money or ewelry or other like light valuables, all such stolen property was in the main abandoned, and both robber and robbed joined in the race for life and *fety beyond the reach of the flame, and beyond the influence of the consuming heat. 12 200 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: Eccentricities. It was amusing, if it were not too painful, to notice the strange tastes and feelings shown by those who sought to save some portions of their property. The children, of course, were first in order ; next a trunk, in which were packed so many things as often to render the trunk too heavy to be moved. Others, having neither children nor trunks, would carry a looking glass, a joint of stove pipe, a pine table, one or two chairs, a child's cradle or cup, a water pitcher, or some other article of the least possible value. On Monday at noon, we saw a young woman, who had fled before the fire from four o'clock in the morning. Over the left arm she had a small bundle of clothing and in the right hand, held between the fingers, were three small wine glasses. These were all she had saved, and these wine glasses she had carried on her long journey for eight hours. One of the favorite articles which the thieves who had use of vehicles appropriated, was pianos. Hundreds of these were got out of the houses, but were necessarily abandoned for want of trans portation. The thieves seeing these, would back up, put the piano on the dray or wagon, and drive off with it. What was done with them1? Many of them of course were deposited temporarily • in open lots, and were afterwards overtaken and destroyed by the fire. Others were held for ransom, ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 201 but we have no doubt that scores were secreted to be sent elsewhere, in time, to be sold by the thieves. The same dishonest gentry were special admirers of the fine arts, and boldly entered houses and tore own valuable paintings, of which there were very irany in Chicago. These were packed in wagons. The art galleries were also extensively robbed, under he pretence of saving, and in time these pictures will teem up in other parts of the country for sale. The Domestic ¿înimals. The number of horses in Chicago was very great, arin excess of the proportion owned inmost cities. The work of filling the streets an average depth )f seven or eight feet, had built up here an immense usiness in the way of two horse wagons designed or that business. These wagons were of a peculiar instruction. The part above the running gear was i skeleton. When this wagon was to receive a oad, one or two boards are placed on the edge at ch side, against the posts, giving a depth of two - t or more, Other loose boards, about six inches wide each, are then arranged compactly for the bottom. A tail board serves the double purpose of keeping the side pieces in their places, and of com pleting the temporary box. The work of unload ing is very expeditious. The tail board is removed, then one of the tide pieces, and then the bottom wards are turned on edge, one after the other, etting the load fall under the wagon. «Sí« 202 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: The great business done here in lumher, and in hauling sand from the lake, in addition to the wants of an active commercial city, gave employment to many thousands of horses. A result was that a stähle or barn was a necessary appendage to the great majority of houses, including the unpretending domiciles of the teamsters. Large numbers of these teams were put in use on the night of the fur, removing goods and persons, but a much larger number of the horses were let loose or broke loose. They were uncontrollable. The fire and heat, and the terrible roar, seemed to madden them, and they rushed at full speed through the streets, turning round corners, and forever returning as near to their old places of shelter as th*e fire would permit. Even those in harness felt the excitement, and their terror was paiuful to witness. Many sunk to the street, overcome by fear. The heat, the blaze, the inces sant fall of fire, the smoke and cinders, and above all, the fearful roaring of the gale of fire, seemed to paralyze many of these faithful animals. Of those who were loose, and madly careering through the streets, large numbers perished, being hemmed in by the fire, or rushing frantically into alley ways and courts were caught in the flames, and life extinguished almost instantly. True to their natural instincts, the cats refused to leave the houses, and many which were forcibly rescued escaped, and went back again into the burning buildings. Chicago has been notorious for its rats. The ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 203 wooden sidewalks have been conducive to their in crease. Beneath these structures they were safe from dogs and men, and burrowing deep were protected even in the coldest weather. This fire spared nothing that came within its reach, and it is not at all extravagant to say, that on that night five mil lions of rats of all ages were destroyed. The dogs, save those unfortunates which were chained, shared the retreat of their owners. Though many of them were lost by being shut up in the houses. The howl- ings of the poor animals chained or otherwise de tained, added to the horrors of that eventful night. On Madison street, opposite Farwell Hall, was a tore in which were kept a large collection of birds •f many varieties. Parrots, macaws, mocking birds, sparrows, and an immense collection of imported ¡inging birds, especially of canaries. There were ilso in the same store three or four monkeys, and 1Ti the basement specimens of various choice breeds of poultry. The fire attacked the building suddenly and fiercely. The time was barely sufficient for the human inmates to escape. But from the im prisoned inmates there was a combined appeal, seemingly an agonized shriek that was piteous in the extreme. Had they been released they would have perished in the atmosphere without, and as soon as the glass front of the store was broken, the heat and smoke rushed in, extinguishing the life of every breathing thing within as if done by magic. Chicle as, birds, monkeys, parrots all became instantly silent, the hot air had literally consumed them. II Jl 204 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: The Grave Tards. A mile or more north of the water works and ex tending to within 200 yards of the lake, was the Roman Catholic grave yard, and next it was a Ger man grave yard. Interments had ceased in these some years ago, but all the bodies had not been re moved to the new cemeteries farther up the lake. These cemeteries had been contemporary with .the city. A large part of them was donated to the graves of the poor and strangers. As a general thing surviving friends, who had the means, long since re moved the bodies of their kindred; those who remained had been the husbands, wives and children of the poor, but were none the less dear. These graves were marked with wooden boards, upon which were painted or cut the initials of the dead, and occasionally some bayond. In the one yard. the inscriptions were in German. Even in these abandoned cities of the dead, hundreds would spend the long summer afternoons trimming the sandy mounds, straightening the loose boards, and bring ing water from the lake to refresh the parched plants and flowers which affection had planted upon the graves. Into these grave yards many fugitives had fled during that Sunday night and Monday morning. With them were carried some household goods. Stands, beds, chairs, tables, the whole presenting a strange collection. The occupants were of all classes. Strong men, hard working able bodied men; weak ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 205 and delicate women; many of the occupants of fashionable dens of vice; refined and cultivated women; merchants, lawyers and bankers ; servant men and women, but the great bulk were the families of small tradesmen, and working people of the neighborhood. Of course there were troops of children, all huddled in groups, with backs to the fire, to protect their eyes from the blinding smoke and consuming heat. Incessantly there fell among them the flying sparks and cinders. In vain did these poor fugitives seek to cover their packages of clothing with sand. The fire would fall upon them and set them ablaze. At last the fire approached them ; it seized upon the long wooden sidewalks of the streets beyond, and with the speed of light ning traversed block after block, encircling every nlace with a cordon of fire. The fences one after another caught, the twigs, and scattered lumber, with here and there a house, a stable, or a shed seemed to furnish food enough to carry that fire along. At last it reached the grave yard, the fences caught and blazed; the heat prepared everything for the advancing column of fire. Group after group fled before the flame ; the straw beds, chairs, tables, the trunks, the bundles of clothes and the household goods, soon were on fire ; head board after head board blazed as a brazen mirror reflect- ng light The little fences around the burial lots, iie scanty trees and shubbery all took fire, and 3ach fed the rapacious flames. The living had to abandon even the desolate grave yard, and the Nllll lllllldlllí 206 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: fire swept from above the earth everything that was consumable. Stout trees were burned down below the ordinary level of the soil in which they grew. These cemeteries before the fire were desolate—one- half the dead having been disentered, and the monu ments and valuable adornments removed, and now came the fire to make desolation more desolate, not a vestige remains of anything in these silent cities of the dead save the blackened embers of the once erect grave signs, and of the little property carried there for safety and then overtaken and consumed by the insatiable fire. Weddings and Marriages. The fire played sad work with a number of wed dings which were to be celebrated within a day or two after the date of the fire. In one case the daughter of one of our most celebrated clergymen was to have been married on Tuesday. The circle of her acquaintance included the majority of the respectable people of all sects in the city. The groom was equally respected. In anticipation of the marriage, a house had been built for the new couple, and had been furnished throughout. Everything was in readiness, and upon their marriage they were to commence housekeeping the same day. These young people had fondly watched the erection of that home, had visited it together during its pro gress, and after its completion had selected the fur- ITS FAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 201 niture and directed its arrangement throughout. Tuesday was to begin a new era for them. The fire came on Monday morning. It destroyed the new house and its contents ; it destroyed the home of the groom and of his parents and relatives. It lestroyed the church in which they were to be married, and then the house of the expectant bride and of her father ; all the wedding clothes were carried off by the flames ; all her other clothing save the few articles she had put on in her hasty flight were in like manner destroyed. It was night on Monday before these close bound neighbors could find one another, but the wedding was not to be postponed. Though the fondly anticipated assem blage of friends and joyous, house warming had to be abandoned, the marriage itself—the union of nearts and of hands, was still to go on. So on the next morning, at the same hour originally fixed upon, in plain attire, the marriage took place. The only serious difficulty in the case was in the matter jf under clothes for the lady. That line of goods was a luxury in Chicago for several days. But very tew who saved any clothes it seemed saved these ; here were none to be borrowed and none to be bought, and it is said that the whole of Tuesday was consumed before proper garments for the lady could be found. The young couple, however, in sight of the smoking ruins of their promised home, commenced life, happy in the consciousness of mu tual affection, and grateful that in their large family rcle all had been saved and protected from that 208 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: loss of life and health which had befallen so many thousands of others. Other weddings fixed for that eventful week, and which would have been accompanied with all the fashionable display so general at this day, were cele brated under improvised homes, in borrowed cloth ing, but with no less happy hopes and charming anticipations. Not so happy, however, was the result in all cases. One bright blooming girl of nineteen years was to have been married on the Thursday following the fire. She was the daughter of a wealthy merchant, and her intended was a member of a large business firm. In that dreadful night she with her father's family escaped on foot, and in the tumult and the confusiijn of the prolonged flight before the fire, she was separated from her friends. In her ignorance of the localities she wandered from place to place,. but forever pursued by the fire, until at last it is supposed she-got beyond the northern limits of the city. In vain did her friends seek for her ; no one had seen her, nor could any inquiry be prosecuted amid the universal separation of friends and fami lies. Finally, on Thursday morning, about day light, the citizen's patrol, in a part.of the city fer remote from where she had been lost, discovered a woman but partially clad, walking listlessly along; occasionally she would in feeble voice call as if for help, again she would mutter unintelligible senten ces, and again recite in plaintive tones some little verse or childish song. She made no resistance to ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 209 the gentlemen when they kindly asked her to go with them. They carried her to a dwelling near by when she was passively placed in a warm bed, ,nd a physician summoned. She would gaze upon he kind faces of those around her, as if in search of some familiar features, but beyond this betrayed no intelligence. She was kept for a few days and ;very attention given to her, but she grew no better. In changing her clothing a photograph was found with a well known name upon it. This person was informed, and with his wife hastened to embrace tlieir daughter. She failed to recognize them. The long exposure and want of rest, combined with the protracted terrors of that fearful night, had destroyed her reason ; and this beautiful and accomplished girl^ whose marriage had been so joyfully expected, is mW insane, though it is hoped, that time and care «nd affectionate ministrations may bring back the intelligence that seemingly has gone forever. The Ogden Mansion. One of the great objects of interest in the city is trip house of Mahlon D. Ogden. Its escape is a marvel. In every direction as far as the eye can - ach is the blackened prairie. It stands an oasis in the desert. On the night of the fire the family was absent from the city, but two .or three gentlemen were thpre. They fought to save the building. They tore up the carpets, and used all the blankets on the premises. These they spread over the fronts "'¡HI"11'1, "'WIIHII it I 210 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION—CHICAGO: of the house and of the barn exposed to the fire; with brooms and buckets of water they kept the roofs free of falling fire. In front of the house and between it and the approaching fire was a small park—-just one vacant block. But this park early in the night was filled with fugitives and their fur niture. In time the fire came, driving out the refugees, and seizing upon the beds and bedding and furniture and household stuff, burned them as if they were so much straw. On the north and on the south flanks of Ogden's house the fire raged with fury, and in front was the grand blaze from the accumulated furniture of fifty families. So long as the water works continued to furnish water, those in charge of Ogden's premises easily kept the carpets and blankets and other woollen protections wet But when the hydrant ceased to furnish water they were driven to a cistern which they knew was not inexhaustible. Several barrels of cider were used to saturate the carpets, and to throw upon the burning cinders. In the meantime a house in the rear of Ogden's caught fire. It was thus sur rounded on all sides by blaze, and the heat borne down upon it by the relentless gale. Yet it was saved. A dozen times did the fences catch, but a ready bucket of water or cider put it out. The wooden sidewalk burned on one side of the building but the wind carried the fire beyond the house. The fire in the park soon burned out. Everything between the house and the wind was rapidly con sumed, and when day dawned, after three or four ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 211 • hours of hard labor, the blazing torrent had passed on to the north, leaving nothing but this solitary building in an area of 2,600 acres. On Sunday Mr. Ogden lived in the centre of a densely popu lated city. The immediate district in which he lived contained 75,000 persons. In the early dawn his nearest neighbor was miles away, and standing in his doorway the view was as unbroken, by habi tations as it was fifty years ago when it was a track less prairie. Next to the ruins, and to many far before the ruins, in popular interest is the house that the fire did not burn, the house from which the fire turned to the right and the left to avoid, closing again in its rear, and carrying everything as before in its fearful destruction. A Courageous Sanker. A remarkable instance of courage and presence of mind is told of Mr. E. I. Tinkham, of the Second National Bank. On Monday morning, be fore the fire had reached that building, Mr. Tink ham went to the safe and succeeded in getting out $600,000. This pile of greenbacks he packed into a common trunk, and hired a colored man for $1,000 to convey it to the Milwaukee depot. Fear ing to be recognized in connection with the precious load, Mr. Tinkman followed the man for a time at tome distance, but soon lost sight of him. He was then overtaken by the fire storm, and was driven toward the lake on the south side. Here, after I» Il'il'l!, Il 212 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: passing through several narrow escapes from suffo cation, he succeeded in working his way, by some means, to a tugboat, and got round to the Milwau kee depot, where he found the colored man waiting for him, with the trunk, according to promise. Mr. Tinkham paid the man the $1,000, and started with the trunk for Milwaukee, and the money was safely deposited in Marshall and Illsley's bank of that city. A Faithful Cleric. Mr. Nathaniel Bacon, of Niles, Michigan, student at law with Messrs. Tenney, McClellari & Tenney, slept in their office. On waking at about one o'clock, and Seeing the Court House on fire, he saw that the office, which was immediately opposite, would surely go. Judging that one of the safes in the office would not prove fire proof, he promptly emptied the contents of his trunk on the floor of the doomed building,.and, filling it with the interior contents of the safe, books, valuable papers, money, &c., shouldered the trunk and carried it to a place of safety on Twenty-second street—losing thereby all his own clothing and effects except what he had on. A Baby Rescued. In Ontario street, near Clark, where the fire sud denly leaped across westward through the North Division, a baby ten months old was thrown from a ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 213 fourth-story window, and caught in a blanket by men congregated below. It started head down wards, like Sam Patch in his last leap, but gradually regained the perpendicular, and alighted on its feet like an athlete. The infant was somewhat worried for breath at first, but it gradually recovered equili brium, and in five minutes was serenely sucking its thumb. The father climbed down by the tin water pipe at the corner of the building. Safe Vaults. A vase of wax flowers was taken from a vault on Dearborn street, and was found perfect—not having been injured in the least. From another safe on Dearborn street was taken a box of matches, as new in appearance as when turned out of the fac tory. The vault of the Tribune also yielded all its contents in perfect order, even to a.box of matches. A Deranged Woman. One of the most pitiful sights was that of a middle aged woman on State street, loaded with bundles,'struggling through the crowd singing the Mother Goose melody : " Chickery, chickery, Craney crow, I went to the well to wash my toe," &c. There were hundreds of others likewise dis tracted, and many rendered desperate by the -iii," mill'I 214 THE GBEAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: whisky or heer which, from excessive thirst, in the absence of water, they drank in great quantities, spread themselves in every direction, to the terror of all they met. Roche the Teamster. James Roche, a teamster, lived at 40 Glen street. While attempting to save his furniture a faggot fell in the wagon he was loading and lighted the straw bed in which his wife had deposited $300. While he was trying to save something from the wreck of the load she came rushing out of the house in a blaze, and ran up the street. Roche made chase, overtook her, thrust her into a door, and stripped her of every remnant of her flaming garb. Nothing was left upon her. This house was on fire in another minute. Roche rushed into the street and seized a horse-blanket, which he gave to his wife, and then returned to his house. Here he met another woman in flames, and handled her with similar roughness, and discovered that she was his only daughter. He sent her after her mother down the street, as nude as my lady Godiva, and let us hope that every eye similarly respected her. She found her mother, and the two, in one horse-blanket, crept under the sidewalk and made their way thus to North avenue bridge, where they lay secreted all through the rainy night and far into the next day, until relief was brought. /i, 1 J U ,. ji IM nul DI ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 217 What Cider accomplished. One building that remains, an oasis in a bleak and black Sahara, is a small, white, wooden cottage on Lincoln place. A policeman named Bellinger lived here. He hauled up the sidewalk, raked up the leaves and burned them, hewed down the fence and carried it into the house in pieces, and notified his neighbors that, live or die, he would stick to that house. The fire advanced and gave battle. It flung torches*into his porch, it hurled them through the windows. It began and kept up a hot bombardment of flaming shot upon the roof. He met it at every point ; with hands and boots, with water and wet blankets, and finally as the last wave of fire enveloped the building in a sirocco and whirled through the crackling tree-tops and gyrated madly over the adjacent walls and wavered and whirled over the smoking roof, Bellinger cast a pale into his cistern and it was dry. The blankets were on fire. Then the Bellinger genius rose triumphant. He assaulted his cider barrels, and little by little, emptied their contents on the roof- It was the coup de guerre. It gave him victory. His blankets were scorched, his hands blistered, his boots distorted, and his cider spilled, but his house was saved. The Post Office Cat. One of the features of the post office was the official cat. This notorious feline may or may not have had a name ; at any rate it is not now 13 [fil 218 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: known, she (or he) had been once before burned out, and was, therefore, in a measure prepared for this calamity. On the night of the fire the cat was present and assisted in the removal, though she did not go herself. Nobody invited her, and she was too much of a public spirited employee to go without permission. When the work of removing the safes was in progress, the tearing away of a partition revealed the faithful public servant in a pail partially filled with water. She had rented this as temporary quarters and apparently enjoyed the cool shelter which it afforded. From her position it appeared impossible that she could have gone away and returned after the fire, and so she may be set down as the only living being who passed Sunday night and Monday in the burnt district. Fire Humors. It was a remarkable feature of the fire that it developed humor as well as pathos. One merchant, who found his safe and its contents destroyed, quietly remarked that there was no blame attached to the safe ; that it was of chilled iron, and would have stood, but that the fire had taken the chill all out. A firm of painters on Madison street bulletined their removal as follows, on a sign-board erected like a guide-board upon the ruins of their old establishment : ITS FAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 219 MOORE & GOE, •s HOUSE AND SIGN PAINTERS, Removed to 111 Desplaines ct., Capital, $000,000.30. An editor of a daily paper received several poetical effusions suggested by the late disaster; but he declined them all, on the ground that it was wasteful to print anything which required every line with a capital, when capital was so scarce. A bride who entered the holy married state on Tuesday evening determined to do so in a calico dress, in deference both to the proprieties and the necessities of the occasion. But she desired that her toilette de chambre should be, if possible, on a more gorgeous scale. Being destitute of a robe de nuit of suitable elegance, she sent out to several neighbors of her temporary hostess to borrow such a garment, stipulating that it must be a-ßne one. So peculiar is the feminine nature, however, that her request excited no enthusiasm in her behalf among the ladies to whom it came. A signboard stuck in the ruins of a building, on Madison street, read : " Owing to circumstances over which we had no control, we have removed," etc. ,„„« 220 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO : A Narrow Escape. The following thrilling episode is narrated by an eye witness. A woman was seen at the window of a building, shrieking for assistance. The building was on fire within, and the only hope of escape, the staircases, had been destroyed. The walls were still safe, and a short ladder was procured. A man with long silvery hair mounted a box and cried out: "A hundred dollars to any brave man who will go to her rescue !" A dozen men sprang forward, and the leader said: "We don't want your money, but we will try !" Throwing oft7 his coat, the stranger seized a rope, ran up the ladder, and entered the lower window. He was lost from view for a moment, but soon returned, his shirt blackened with the smoke and burned by the falling embers. " Let some one come up," he shouted ; " I want some help." Another followed, and the ladder was drawn in and pushed up through the burning flames at the staircase. They mounted to the story above and repeated the process. They were now within one story of the poor woman. She meanwhile had been caught by the flames, and to save herself had been obliged to tear off her outer clothing. Not a moment was to be lost, and when the men appeared at the window—with hair curled with the intense heat, their clothing in rags and partially burned— ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 221 and sent down the coil of rope for a new ladder, (theirs having been broken by a falling timber) all hope seemed gone. But by great efforts they raised the ladder to where they were, and once more es sayed to reach the hapless woman above them. But the flames were too hot, and they were forced back from the interior to the window. Here they essayed to throw the rope to the woman, but in the excitement of the occasion they could not succeed. The leader, however, was a man of resources, and lowering the rope again, he started for the hook. One was attached, and when drawn up he managed to hand the rope to the woman, and shouted to her to make it fast and to descend to them. She tied the rope to some place, still strong enough to sustain the strain, but could not, in her weakness, risk herself in the descent. All seemed lost; but the crowd soon beheld the first of the men slowly ascending the rope, hand over hand. Cheer after cheer hailed him as he drew himself into the window. In a moment the woman was lowered to thg story below, where she was seized by the second brave rescuer, who drew her into the room and waited for the descent of his companion. The rope was not long enough to reach from where it was attached to the pavement, but a second was produced, and a piece of twine attached to a stone, was thrown in, which enabled them to haul it up. The two then lowered the woman, almost " in natura purïbus" to the street and the first lowered the second and then came down himself. 22á THE GEEAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: A Scene in the Tunnel. While the fire was raging in the South Division, a thrilling scene occurred in the Washington street tunnel. Several of the bridges over the South Branch being on fire, the tunnel was resorted to by thousands of people who desired to pass from one division into the other. At a moment when the passage way was filled with pedestrians, rushing wildly in either direction, the gas suddenly gave out and all were left in total darkness. A terrible panic, a collision, and the trampling to death of the weaker by the stronger, seemed inevitable. But, strange as it may seem, everybody in that dark recess seemed at once to comprehend the necessity for coolness and courage; not a man lost his presence of mind; but all, as with one accord, bore to the right, each calmly enjoining upon others to be cool and steady, and to march steadily on till the end of the tunnel could be reached. Rapidly, but without confusion, the two columns moved on through the thick dark ness with almost military precision, the silence being broken only by frequent shouts of " right," " right." There was no collision, and no one was harmed, but all reached the ends of the tunnel in safety, and then, for the first time in almost ten minutes, breathed freely. ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTÜEE. 223 Puritan Relics Unharmed. The beautiful New England Church, in the North Division, was one of the most perfect Gothic struc tures in the country, was utterly destroyed, with the exception of the Scotch granite columns at the entrance, some Puritan relics from Scrooby Manor, and a piece of the Plymouth Rock, which were inserted in the main archway, above the door. With genuine Scotch persistency and Puritan firmness, these refused to yield to either wind or flame, and still remain there. In* a similar manner, all that remain of St. James' Church is the memorial monu ment to her sons who fell in battle. Advertisements. Taking up the first issue of the Chicago Tribune, after the fire, the advertisements are singularly sug gestive of grief, uncertainty and penury. Many begin as follows: "Wanted to find, Swedish girl Sophia, formerly living in my family ;" " A lost cow can be found at," etc. ; " Two stray trunks can be heard from at," etc. ; " Taken out of the flames, a dark bay mare ;" " Ten dollars reward, and no ques tion asked, for a pailfull of dental instruments taken from," etc. ; " If the grey-whiskered man who was seen removing trunks from," etc. ; " Mr. ————, please call at ————, and get your boy 'Géorgie;' " "Mr. g° to number your father 224 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: is there." " Agnes • • will find her father at ————." And so on for two long, closely-printed columns. There is also a fearful number of " miss ing" notices, and a column of the very finest type is devoted to a record of those who are " lost and found." An Heroic Ola Wçman. A young lady who escaped from the burning city, in the course of a graphic account of the great fire, tells the following : " Two blocks beyond where I lived in Halstead street lived an old German, an almost helpless cripple, whose sole support was his wife and young son. The latter went away in the morning and did not return. The fire rapidly ap proached with deadly omen, and the old couple were not only distracted at the absence of the boy, but fear ful of their possible fate. At last the flames came so near that they must fly or die. In the strength of her affection the old woman seized the poor cripple, placed him upon her back, and thus staggered along for a distance of two blocks, when some men placed him in a grocer's wagon and drew him to a place of safety." Coolness. Another writer says : " I met a friend on Tues day, walking thoughtfully around with a piece of lead pipe. As I approached and saluted him he stopped, slapped the lead pipe down on a brick wall, ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 225 it smashed flat, and then said,e Joe, that pipe's all I've got in the world, but I begin again to-morrow.' I met a man on the night of the fire who had lost first his store and then his handsome residence on Michigan avenue. He was lugging around a mar ble mantel with the heavy sides attached. He laughed as he saw me, and remarked, ' That's all there is now; but I'm going to see if I can't find another and build a house to fit.' " Unfortunate Benevolence. An lowan heard of the fire on Monday morning and took passage to Chicago to succor the family of his son, who was living there. At a wayside sta tion not far from Chicago he heard that the water works were burned, and that there was a scarcity of water. Not being familiar with the geographical position, he purchased a cask and brought it full of water to Chicago. A philanthropic expressman charged him $50 dollars for carting that barrel to his son's residence. A Plucky Merchant. A Chicago merchant who was in New York when the great fire destroyed his store and stock of mer chandise, at once bought a large invoice of sugars and syrups and started for home, telling his mer chants that by the time the goods reached Chicago «Jl 226 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION—CHICAGO: he would have his store rebuilt to receive them. He kept his word. On the 19th inst, he tele graphed his New York friends : " We enter a new store to-morrow, made since the fire, and resume payment in full and at matu rity." Fire Proof Buildings. Horace White, Esq., the Editor in Chief of the Chicago Tribune, in an extremely interesting com munication to the Cincinnati Commercial, thus clearly shows the reasons why the supposed fire proof buildings in the city succumbed to the flames. " The Post Office was lost by defective internal construction. There was hardly any wood work in it except furniture. The floors were of stone or clay tiles, the window-casing of iron, and all the outer doors iron. But then there were no interior walls, or next to none. In place of these were up right iron columns and girders, these supporting iron beams, and these again furnishing the resting places for the brick arches which held the several floors. The building itself was surrounded on the four sides by streets, though one of these was narrow as Nassau street, New York. It had no point of contact with any other building. But the heat from the narrow street set the furniture on fire. This warped and sprung the great iron columns which supported the floors, and so the whole interior came down into the cellar. The Tribtme building was ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 227 constructed with a view to avoid this defect. There were no iron columns in the interior except where they were employed to give greater strength to the brick walls. Consequently the interior is nearly all standing, the two eight-cylinder presses uninjured to all appearance, except by the burning of the tapes and feed boards, the beautiful engines, whose noiseless strength I have so often admired, scarcely soiled, the boilers perfectly intact, and most wonder ful of all, two or three barrels of printers' ink under the alley not burned or upset. For all this, the heat generated by a whole square of combustible, five- itory buildings, of which the Tribune was one cor- ler, was greater than that of an ordinary blast fur nace. It was more than sufficient to melt cast iron. Our brick walls were a great protection, but the exterior wall on the south side, eighteen inches thick, next to a wholesale stationery store, is bulged inward at one place near the bottom fully two inches. This was not enough to let the wall down, and as it was braced with iron beams all the way up it was kept from falling on our printing machinery. A small segment fell out of the front of the building on Madison -street. This was caused by the weight of an immense iron safe belonging to the Charter Oak life Insurance Company, which stood against a wall in the second story. The iron beams getting more or less displaced by the expansive power of the heat, the weight of the safe was brought to bear upon them with a leverage which pried a hole ten or fifteen feet wide out of the Madison street lili«! 228 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: front, and of course every thing which rested upon it came down. " These two buildings are types of all the so-called fire proof structures of the city, seven or eight in number. It is ascertained that no stone ever used in the business part of the city is worth a farthing in such a fire. Brick is the only thing that comes out whole, and is ready to try it again. The future Chicago will be a city of bricks. But it is not fair to say that an absolutely fire proof building cannot be erected. I think it can be. At all events, the architects of the world should come here and study." What a Determined Man did. The manner in which Mr. John G. Shortall, of the firm of Shortall & Hoard, saved their numerous abstracts and indices of real estate transactions, which in the destruction of the public records are invalu able as evidences of title, shows what a determined man can do in an emergency. Mr. Shortall had returned from church to his home in the southern part of the city, and from some unaccountable impulse went down to the fire and watched it for an hour or more, when he began to fear that his office in Larmon block, opposite the court house, might be in danger. His own account of his expe riences from this point on is as follows : "On reaching the office I found great danger existing from the awnings, which were outside the ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 229 buildings, the embers dropping down very thick on the roofs of the buildings, and on the front, and sipns, and awnings. I ran up stairs, got into the office and tried to cut away the awnings in front of our building, and that of the building adjoining; but, owing to the absence of anything adequate, I had to give that up, and simply press them up close to the wall, that the embers might drop off them, and not be caught in them. Even then I scarcely believed it possible that the Larmon block could take fire, and I requested the men in the upper portion of the building, with buckets of water, to put out any embers ttíat might fall there and endanger the building. In another half hour I felt more appre hensive, and went in the street to find an express wagon. This must have been an hour and a half before the building actually burned. I stopped, probably fifteen different trucks and express wagons, offering them any pay to work for me in saving the books. Seven of them, at least, I engaged, one after another, they faithfully promising me that they would come back when, they had carried the load and done the work in which they were engaged ; but no one came back. At this juncture, I met a friend, Mr. Nye, who was looking out, as I was, for the danger. T told him I needed him, and he answered me promptly that he was at my service. We both- watched some time longer for express wagons ; but could find none. At last, when the court house cupola took fire, I told my friend that we must have m express wagon within the next five minutes or 1 230 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: we were utterly lost. He stood on Clark street and I on Washington, determined to take the first expressman we could find. The first one happened to come along on his side. He seized the reins with one hand ; and, taking a revolver from his pocket with the other, " persuaded" the expressman to haul up to the sidewalk, notwithstanding his cursing and swearing. When I came back from my unsuccessful watch, I found the expressman there, and my friend, handing the lines and revolver to me, went up stairs to help our employees, who were then in the office, to carry down the volumes. We got round with the wagon to Washington street entrance, and after filling the wagon, found that we had but about one quarter of our property in it. " Just at that critical moment I saw a two horse truck drive up to where I was superintending the packing of the books, and my friend Joe Stockton, •who was so covered with smut and dust that I did not recognize him until he spoke, turned over the truck and driver to me, with the remark, ' I think, John, this is just the thing you want.' I never felt so relieved or so thankful as I did at his appearance with tha substantial aid at that moment. We unpacked our impressed expressman immediately and set him adrift with $5 in his pocket for his five minutes' work, and commenced to pile our property on friend Stockton's truck. Meanwhile the flames were roaring and surging around us. Six of our boys were carrying down the volumes as rapidly as they could, and I, standing on the truck, was stowing ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 231 away the books economically as to space. About that time they told me the court house bell fell down. I lost all idea of time. It must have been about two o'clock. I never heard the bell fall, I was so excited. Toward the last, when we had got our indices all safely down, and were trying to save other valuable papers and books, many of which we did save, it was stated that Smith & Nixon's building was about to be blown up. Our truck was headed toward that building. The sky was filled with burning embers which were falling around us thickly. As soon, I think, as the information was given that that building was to be blown up, the crowd rushed past us down Washington street, toward the lake, terribly excited, shouting and warning everybody away. My driver was very nervous, and on one pretext or another would start his horses up for a rod or two, swearing that he would not be blown up for us or for the whole country ; but I succeeded in stopping him eight or ten times during the terrible excitement. In the meantime our men were coming down the stairs laden with our property, and returning as rapidly as they could. I was standing on the books, packing them in the truck, and the embers were flying on them, and T picked them off as they fell and threw them into the street, until a rod at a time, we reached the corner of Dearborn and Washington. Messrs. Fuller and Handy were the last to leave the office, and they did not leave until Buck & Eayner's drug store was on fire. The store, as we believed, was full of chemicals and explosive matter. At that time rill 232 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION—CHICAGO: the court house was a mass of flames, our building was burning, and other buildings in the immediate vicinity were entirely destroyed. " Three of us then started with, the truck for my house, which we reached about three o'clock that morning. I had our property unloaded and placed securely within; and, after giving the driver and others some refreshments, I started again for the fire to see what aid I could give other sufferers." A Fearful Trotting Match. On the morning of the fire occurred the most fearful trotting race on record. It was a race between the flames and Mr. Fred. Blackmar, with his brown mare " Kittie." Mr. Blackmar was a junior partner in one of the largest publishing houses in the city, and his little brown mare had won a reputation as one of the fastest roadsters in the city. A corre spondent tells the story of the race as follows : " Kittie, who had become a well known equine to all those who frequented the boulevards, was stabled in a barn on Dearborn street, almost opposite the post office. The fire had eaten far into the heart of the city, and was rapidly swallowing building after building in its rapacious jaws. Southward and northward along famed Newspaper avenue, as Dear born street was sometimes called, the fire was driven by the fierce gale, which swept in eddies from over the prairies. BURNING OF THE CENTRAL GRAIN ELEVATOR AT THE MOUTH OF THE CHICAGO llííl ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 235 •' Blackmar, who lived in the West Division, had gone down early in the fight to assist in saving prop erty from the store, and it was not until late on Monday morning he thought of Brown Kittie. Then he started for the barn only to find the front of the building was one vast sheet of flame. No where could he see the hostler. Through a back door he rushed into the stable, and there stood his pet shivering in every limb. With a cry of joy she recognized her master, and while he was unfastening her halter the grateful creature placed her nose against his face and gently rubbed his cheek. A moment later and the mare was hitched to the light road wagon, the back door was thrown open, Fred sprang into his seat, and while the burning hay dropped down upon him in fiery flakes he drove forth into a perfect hell of flame. There was a nar row alley with buildings on fire on either side of it for him to drive through, and faster than Kittie ever went before went she through that gauntlet of flame. Once a tongue of flame reached across the alley and torched poor Kittie's handsome mane, and almost burnt out one of her bright eyes, which were almost human in their expression, but Fred spoke gently lo her, and with never a skip she went onward and onward across State street, and-no chance to turn "o the right or left, with buildings blazing up in front and Death with the double team crowding him closely in the rear. Now Wabash avenue was reached, and like lightning the little darling turned ;he corner and flew with the speed of thought south- 14 236 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: wafd along the broad thoroughfare, whose western side was already one long row of flame. With a straight road before him, perfectly level and laid with Nicholson pavement, Fred sent the mare faster and faster. Away off toward Jackson street he could see the black smoke and the red flames reaching across, trying to seize upon the opposite side of the way, and should they succeed before he passed the spot, then all escape was impossible. ' Gently, Kittie, gently !' They were the first words he had spoken for some time. ' Now, then my little lady,' and for the first time in all his life he touched her with the whip. The mare broke into a run, and there was no stopping her. Like a thoroughbred she sped before the wind, and almost in a trice she had cleared the fire and was still running desper ately toward the southward. Presently Blackmar succeeded in pulling her down to a trot, and finally he jogged her along at a pace so slow no one would have supposed her the best little equine in all Chris tendom." Fatal Leap for Life. Just north of Madison street, on the east side of Dearborn street, stood Speed's block, consisting of five four-story brick buildings, with stone fronts. The upper parts of the buildings were occupied as offices, and some of the occupants slept in the rooms. When the fire had reached Madison and Dearborn streets, from the west, a man, who had evidently ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 237 aken full time to dress himself, appeared at a window in the rear. He coolly looked down the thirty feet between him and the ground, while the excited crowd cried to him to "jump !" and then some of the more considerate searched for a ladder. No ladder could be had, but a long plank was found and placed at once against the window, and the man seating himself on it, slid safely to the ground. But before this was accomplished, another man ap: peared at a window of the fourth story, in the adjoining building; there was no projecting bal- 3ony—the wall was flush to the ground for the dis tance of four stories and a basement. All escape by the interior was cut off—the building being .hen on fire within, and he looked out in seeming lespair. The crowd was helpless, so far as doing anything for his rescue, and grew frantic in their ?xcitement. From the Tribune office the whole îcene was visible, lighted up by the blaze of a hun- ired buildings, and by the never-ceasing shower of ire. Senseless cries of "jump! jump!" went up rom the crowd ; senseless, but full of sympathy, ?or the sight was absolutely agonizing. Then for a minute or two he disappeared, perhaps even less, )ut it seemed so long that the supposition was that he had fallen suffocated by smoke and heat ; but no, he appears again. First he throws a bed, then some bed clothes apparently ; why, probably even ie does not know. Again he looks down the dead, heer wall of fifty feet below him. He hesitates, and well he may, as he turns again and looks behind "Hin 238 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO : him. Then he mounts to the window sill. His whole form appears, naked to the shirt, apd his white limbs gleam against the dark wall in the bright light as he swings himself below the window. Somehow—how none can tell—he drops and catches upon the top of the windows below him, of the third story. He stoops and drops again, and seizes the frame with his hands, and his gleaming body once more straightens and hangs prone downward, and then drops instantly and accurately upon the window sill of the third story. A shout, more of joy than applause, goes up from the breathless crowd, and those who had turned away their heads, unable to look upon him as he seemed about to drop to sudden and certain death, glanced up at him once more with a ray of hope, at this daring and skilful feat. Into this window he crept, to look, possibly, for a stairway, but appeared again presently, for here was the only avenue of escape, desperate and hopeless as it was. Once more he dropped his body, hanging by his hands. The crowd screamed and waved to him to swing himself over to the projection from which the other man had just been rescued. He tried to do this, and vibrated like a pendulum from side to side, but could not reach far enough to throw himself upon its roof. Then he hung by one hand and looked down ; rais ing the other hand, he took a fresh hold, and swung from side to side again to reach the roof. In vain ; again he hung motionless by one hand, and slowly turned his head over his shoulder, and gazed in the ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 239 abyss below him. Then, gathering himself up, he 'et go his hold, and for a second a gleam of white shot down full forty feet to the foundation of the basement. Of course, it killed him. He was taken o a drug store near by and died in ten minutes. Who this person was no one knows. What be came of his remains has never been ascertained. The drug store to which he was taken was burned dthin a few hours after, and every other building or half a mile south, and it was impossible to carry the body, if taken away at all, in any other direc tion. He had evidently been asleep, and was not awakened until the building was on fire. A Wedding Postponed. A wedding fixed for the week after the fire, was postponed by a letter of the lady to her lover, who was in an Eastern city. She was the daughter of a wealthy merchant, and in the letter after telling him of the fire, she wrote : " Our wedding will have to be postponed for at least one year, as I am in no condition at present to be married ; not that I love you less than ever, for you know that better than I can tell you, but that we have no house to live in and my father is rendered almost destitute by the fire. His place of business " •, as you know, in the burnt district, and was swept away in company with a number of others the second night of the fire. We expect to have a new house built in a few weeks, just around the corner 1 240 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: from where we formerly resided, near——— street and ——— avenue. I am very glad you did not come to this city when you intended, for then you would be as the rest of us, half scared to death. Father was up at the time, and saved two suits of clothes— the one he had on and another—but we, that is, Mar, Jeneatte, and I, were less lucky. You would have boen surprised to see me, the morning affer we were driven out of the house, with a pair of Jim's old pants on, one slipper, one shoe, and a waterproof cloak. This was, indeed, my complete outfit, and it was not until yesterday that I received some other clothes from my cousin Mary, who sent them from Cincinnati. That would have made a splendid wed ding suit, wouldn't it I " The city is building up lively. Work is plenty, but a number of laborers have left this, the doomed city. " Frank, please come on and see us as soon as you can ; I want to see you very badly." It is not likely that Frank declined that invitation, or that he consented to postpone the wedding a year, or any longer than a new outfit could be pro vided. Such a man would be out of place in a city which in three days after having been destroyed, was " buildirïg up lively," or worthy of the fair lady, who, notwithstanding she had no house to live in and her father was destitute, had time to note in her distress the cheering fact that " work was plenty." ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. Unprofitable Servants. 241 A prominent lady of Wabash avenue had been deserted by her servants as soon as it became cer- <:ain that the house was doomed ; they had gone off, ;aking with them whatever they could lay their hands on. She, her daughter, and her invalid hus- >and, were alone in the house, and the flames were rapidly approaching. There was not a moment to ¡pare, and the two women actually carried away in heir arms the sick man, and brought him in safety jeyond the reach of the fire. Deep Grief. Men, driven by that blind instinct which makes them, though hopeless, return to the scene of that disaster which has ruined them, sought the spots where once their homes had stood, and sitting down on some pieces of fallen timber, actually wept and wrung their hands in anguish. One of these wretched beings sought his home, and, in stepping on a half-charred beam, caused it to spring up, and from beneath it came a sickly odor. He madly turned and pried away the timber, and saw beneath it the dead body of his son, a young man of about twenty years of age, who, piobably returning to the house to save something he prized, had fallen in the flames and been burned to death —roasted alive. At another point a strong man sitting upon a 242 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 243 wayside box, weeping like a child, his wife mean while cheerily boiling coffee with some bits of the unlaid Nicholson pavement, and his children play ing hide and seek among the cast-out wares. The CJtildren. The most pitiable sights were the sick children half dead, lying crouched on the sidewalks, in many cases with barely any covering on them. A pathetic scene was noticed on the corner of La Salle and Randolph streets, where two little girls were lying terror-stricken by the side of their dead sibter, whose remains presented a harrowing spectacle. She had been too late to escape from under a falling build ing on Clark street, and had been extricated and carried to the corner by her almost dead sisters. At the Tremont House the elevator became use less, and the sleeping guests, with a large number of babies, hurried down stairs. The removal of trunks and the hurrying of domestics impeded the passageways. Several persons, in their eagerness, jumped over the banisters and limped away. Others in their haste left beneath their pillows, watches and money, only discovering their losses, when they had reached the Michigan Central Depot—then sup posed to be a perfectly safe place. A crowd of per sons hastened thither, -some carrying beds, some sewing machines, and one lady had six canary birds • in a cage in one hand, and an immense family Bible in the other. She said : " I was determined to bring these off, if I lost all the rest." Another young woman was seen carrying two large paintings, evidently those of her father and mother. She was but partially clad, and amongst all her household wealth, sought to preserve these filial mementos as being to her most precious. The Ludicrous. Several incidents combine the pathetic with the ridiculous. An Irish woman was seen tugging along a half grown pig, which kicked and squealed with all its might, until the panting female, over- some by the flames, abandoned the animal to its fate. A colored woman shouldered her week's wash ing in a huge wicker-basket, and grabbed with the other hand a frying-pan and some muffin-rings. Huge cinders fell on the clean., starched clothes and set them smoking. In this way the woman, already half-beside herself with terror, trudged along for everal blocks, until the burning rags fell upon her neck and caused her to look around. With a howl of dismay and an expression of horror that can never be reproduced, she dropped her burden and fled for dear life. An immense Dutchman trundled a wheel barrow along, loaded with a keg of lager beer, some sausages and clothing. His wife and children fol lowed, all laden with sundry articles, two dogs bring ing up the rear. He toiled and puffed along until the approach of the flames rendered more rapid flight necessary. The wheelbarrow was then aban- "III! 244 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: / doned, but not until the beer-keg was opened and a parting drink was taken all around. Through the Tunnel. At 2 o'clock on Monday morning, the people were fleeing in desperate fury from the death fiend pur suing in hot haste on flaming wings. The bridges on both sides were on fire, and the flames were writhing over the decks of the brigs in the river, and winding their fierce arms of flame ' around the masts and through the rigging, like a monstrous, luminous devil-fish. The awful canopy of fire drew down and closed over Water street, as the shrieking multitude rushed for the tunnel—the only avenue of escape. The gas works had already blown up, and there was no light in any house, save the illumi nation, which flamed up only to destroy. But into the darkened cave rushed pell-mell, from all direc tions, the frenzied crowd—bankers, thieves, dray men, wives, children—in every stage of undress, as they had leaped from burning lodgings, a howling, imploring, cursing, praying, writhing mob, making their desperate dive under the river. It was as dark in the tunnel as it is in the centre of the earth, Hundreds of the fugitives were laden with furniture, household goods, utensils, loaves of bread and pieces of meat, and their rush through the almost suffocating tunnel was fearful in the extreme. They knocked each other down, and the strong trod on the help less. Nothing was heard at the mouth of the ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 245 cavernous prison, but à muffled howl of rage and anguish. Several came forth with broken limbs and terrible bruises, as they scattered and resumed their flight under the blazing sky to the North Ward. The Court House Bell, Chicago. The court house bell, which for so many years had given hourly warning of the flight of time rung forth joyous peals in honor of military and civil victories, told of the presence of fire in the city, and sounded the death toll of the distinguished dead, now lies an almost shapeless mass, surrounded by heaps of brick, mortar and stone, iu the east wing of the court house. On the fatal Sunday night, the old bell, even while surrounded by fire, sounded a solemn, continuous and final peal ; and those who heard it above the din produced by falling walls, the hoarse roaring of the flames, the crackling of falling embers, and the shouts and screams of alarmed citizens, say they will never forget how awful the sound appeared. Scarcely had the bell cooled after the fire, when hundreds of curiosity hunters went in search of it, armed with cold chisels and Hammers. As a consequence, about two-thirds of the metal has disappeared. Pieces of it have sold at high figures, while others have found their way by mail to neigh boring cities, to be converted into rings, scarf pins, brooches, etc. THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: Labors of Love, Amidst all the ruins and sufferings there were many acts of love and charity to soften the hard fate that had fallen upon the people. Many noble- hearted ladies, bred to scenes of luxury and ease, went about doing good with a zest rivalled only by the energy of the men who resolved to rebuild their city and their manufactories. Grace Church, on Wabash avenue, is one of the few buildings left standing, and with a true Christian zeal the congregation turned it over to the Relief Committee, for such uses as were deemed necessary. Here, under the able management of the Rev. Dr. Locke, were groups of ladies, delicately reared, acting as the almoners of the world's rich bounty. Most of the people who thronged about the church had been fed quite exclusively, since the fire, on bread or crackers; the reception, therefore, of cooked meat, baked beans, and other plain condi ments, was peculiarly acceptable. Porters were constantly entering, bearing in hats, aprons, pillow cases, baskets and barrels, supplies of food, which were deposited in convenient places for distribution. Generally the applicants represented families or groups of friends, and though they solicited heavy supplies, there was, thanks to the benevolence of sister cities, a goodly portion for each. This latter class hastened away to the temporary lodgings, while others, who came for themselves, ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 247 received their share, and walking quietly from the church, ate their food on the street. There we saw Germans. Irish, Scandinavians, Jews, Italians, and representatives of other nations, laboring men and women, and children of all classes of life, now reduced by hunger and poverty to a common footing. While this ceremony was attracting the attention of the unfortunate in the church proper, the spa cious chapel was filled by day with another party of ladies, working into sandwiches the fresh bread and sweet ham that had been received. These ladies were principally Sabbath school teachers and the daughters of leading citizens; but their fine round arms were bared to the. work, and they shaved and sliced as if their very lives depended on their activ ity. In front of them filed a steady stream of little children, with empty stomachs and ragged clothes, who in regular turn received a hearty meal. These soon after disporting themselves amid the adjacent ruins. In the evening, however, we witnessed spectacles in the chapel of the church which seemed more touching than those of the day. As the sun went down, and the air grew chilly little squads of men and women, leading by the hand or bearing on the arm, babes and children, marched timidly to the porch, and asked permission to lie down during the night. Many of the benches had been removed, and on the bared portion, cushions were stretched, md the careworn visitors invited to make themselves as comfortable as possible. Here, during hours ^ I ¡Ill 248 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: that appeared lengthened beyond measure, these distressed people endeavored to catch a few moments of repose. Some who had been vainly seeking shelter for many days, slumbered heavily; others groaned and started as delirious dreams grew in their brain; while here and there, babes uttered shrill cries for nourishment, and the sleep that came tardily to them. At all hours of the night pilgrims approached this Mecca, and by the time the sun glanced through the windows, one would have made slow progress in passing about the chapel. Reflections and Suggestions. Major D. C. Houston, of the Engineer Corps of the U. S. army, published the following interesting paper on the situation of Chicago. " The spirit displayed by the business men of this city in rebuilding is astonishing, and deserving of the highest praise after a calamity so terrible as the recent conflagration. That Chicago will rise again, and not only resume her old position, but become in time the first city on this continent, seems to me to be as certain as the perpetuation of our govern ment and the increase of our population. " It should be borne in mind at this time, that there were certain defects in the plan of Chicago, arising from the rapidity of its construction, which seemed beyond remedy, except at enormous cost; but now it is possible, by considering the subject in time, and taking advantage of the experience of ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 249 other cities, to make such re-arrangements as will make the plan and accommodations of this city suitable for the metropolis of America. " The present burnt district, on the south side, is, by universal consent, to become the centre of the city, and every consideration indicates that it should be so. Were the whole city to be laid out anew, the natural features of the country and the railroad communications would point to the south side as the centre. The business operations will commence here, and radiate, as heretofore, to the south, west, and north, but more to the south, owing to the fact that the communication is uninterrupted by natural obstacles. Into this centre hundreds of thousands of people will pour daily, coming from the residence por tion of the city, the suburbs, and the whole country. "There is always, in great cities, an immense amount of time lost in going to and fro from busi ness, and in the absence of proper accommodations for doing business, after the business centre is reached. Persons familiar with the city of New York understand this fully. Two or three hours of the day are consumed in travelling to and fro, and, owing to the crowds in the streets, the contracted markets and places of exchange, the time .required to transact business is doubled and trebled. " Now the points which seem to me to be consid ered at this time and to be fully provided for, are : "1. The laying out of certain lines for steam communication from the centre of business to the suburbs, to be so arranged as not to obstruct the 250 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION—CHICAGO: street travel, or be interrupted by it. This most essential element of a modern metropolis can never be secured or arranged for, so well as at present. " 2. The arrangement of commodious and central depots for the great lines of railroads centring in the city. " 3. A commodious levee along the river for public docks, a grand market, a grand plaza, where all can go without paying tribute. Instead of having buildings built close down to the river bank, let there be an open space on each side of the river devoted to the above purposes. "4. The great leading lines of business should be consolidated or concentrated on certain streets running north and south. There should be a finan cial centre, a dry goods centre, a hardware centre, etc. " 5. An open square for public meetings and out door business. The Court House square suggests itself at once. Let the court house go further south and leave the present square open. " Let it be surrounded by banks, brokers' offices, etc., and there will be room for everybody. These, suggestions are hurriedly thrown out, but they should be considered, and a committee representing all interests, should be appointed to draw up a scheme by which these desirable results can be secured. In the rebuilding of the city these mat ters can all be arranged for the benefit of all. "The business portion of Chicago had already become overcrowded with the street cars, omnibuses, MASONIC TEMPLE, DEARBORN STREET. I ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 253 other vehicles, and foot passengers. The limit of capacity had almost heen reached. "You helieve in Chicago's future, and a few minutes' reflection will convince any one that more space is needed for the future, and that concentra tion and co-operation on the part of business men is necessary, to make the hest use of the ground now available." After the Fire. On Friday, October 15th, 1871, people had so collected themselves as to remember the ludicrous scenes which occurred around them in the awful hours of the burning. Then were called to mind the man who fled with a single joint of stove-pipe under his arm and left his papers to the flames ; and the other man, who, abandoning his pictures escaped with a feather dusting broom; and that tenderer picture of the little girl who passed up Michigan avenue, barefooted and bareheaded, struggling under the weight of a box containing four new-born pup pies. An eye-witness told us of the attempt to blow up the building occupied by a clothing establish ment, Brown & Hammond's, if I am not mistaken. By some accident the fuse did not communicate with the powder intended to do the work. Just after the fuse had gone off, four thieves issued from the building and deliberately walked away with their arms full of clothing. Among the stories of extor tion, we have heard this one. An undertaker with 15 254 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: a hearse attempted to charge fifteen dollars for con veying a coffin from the burnt district over on to the west side, and the corpse put his head out and re monstrated. An enterprising Chicagoan, it appears, had formed a plan of getting across the river at a reasonable rate ; and so terrified was the undertaker that the ruse succeeded beyond expectation. The coffin was " dumped out " at its destination, and the driver of the hearse never waited for any pay at all. Saturday after the fire a rain-storm set in, fol lowed by a terrific gale at sunset. All night long the trees under our window rocked and wailed. There can have been little sleep in the city until to ward morning, when the wind abated. Some of the most picturesque, and at the same time the most dangerous, of the ruins were blown down. Sunday opened a bright, cool day. The burnt districts were early thronged with people in carriages, express- wagons, omnibuses, and on foot. Every one, with scarcely an exception, that I can remember, had a clean, washed-up appearance. It must be that the poorer sufferers by the fire did not visit the ruins on Sunday, or else the charity of the outside world has been swift to clothe and cleanse them. So admir able, indeed, have been the arrangements of the relief committees, that one has to go to the churches or other place of refuge for the homeless, to come face to face with positive suffering. The churches were thronged on this Sabbath morning. Denominations and creeds were forgotten. Societies whose regular places of worship had been ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 255 burned, met and were cordially received at the churches yet standing. In some instances services were held in the open air, in front of the ruined sanctuaries. Just outside of what was once his church, Robert Collyer is said to have spoken as only he can speak. We could not get there until the afternoon, when the neighborhood was almost deserted. We were fortunate enough, however, to be present at the services in front of one of the Methodist churches. Nothing in modern times, I think, has come so near to primitive Christianity in circumstance and spirit, as this preaching of mutual helpfulness in the face of universal loss and in that desert of ruins. Chicago by Moonlight. Only the moon, just rising in the east, casts an uncertain lustre over the scene. The busy men are gone. Nothing is heard but the steady footfall of the patrolman, or the quicker steps of some one hurrying to reach his home. The ruined wall and shattered masonry are softened and refined by the clear, mild light. Dark nooks and deeply-shaded recesses, which by daylight would lose their secrecy, and be nothing but waste blanks, are in the even ing full of the charm of mystery and of darkness. Fancy peoples those secluded spots with the crea tures of her imagination, and they seem fitting homes for ghoul and afrit—creatures who lurk among the ruined tombs and devour the belated "wanderers there. The long, black lines of pave- ii I 256 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 257 fl ment stretch out into the infinite dim distance as if they led to the quiet homes of the dead. Here and there the vast hulk of undestroyed buildings tower up, silent and uninhabited, like the watch- towers which Vathek saw at Istakhar. Through their open windows streams the moonlight, and half hides and half reveals the fallen walls and shattered floors within. There are inscriptions on them, hut it is too dark to spell out the names of supervisors who tried to secure immortality, and have passed successfully through this ordeal of fire. In this indefinite light all things are old, and all things are strange. It is no longer Chicago, the sky above is clear and starry enough to look upon the Rhine and Arno, instead of the Chicago river. Telegraph posts are transfigured into burned and branchless trees, and in this blue land of supreme fancy, the prosaic and the commonplace have dis appeared forever. There are slight, faint sounds, which may be the imagined voices of the night, or the pulsations of the lake, or the sighing of the wind; but there is no hum of myriads, no many- voiced utterances of men. Yonder, burnt and bruised and blackened, stands the church, its pealing organ stilled forever. Through its gaping portals no more wedding parties shall pass. It has buried its last dead, and there it remains its own monument. Those who have been baptized there are scattered far and wide, and have forgotten the font over which they were once held. The young men vho, in the intoxication of love, followed their sweethearts there, and endured the sermon for the sake of being near the beloved, have outlived the passionate ardor of them, and will not regret the ruined sanctuary, which, to them, was the temple of Cupid, and not of Jehovah. The light glancing through the wide window, falls full upon the untouched memorial of marble. All the artificial aid to devotion, the cushioned pews, the soft foot stools, the elegantly bound books, have dis appeared, but it remains, unmoved, while all around is in ruins. The monuments of the dead outlast by fer the homes of the living. Here there is no feel ing of newness. It might be a page taken from middle age history. Cowled and girdled monks, or corpulent friars, might have dwelt there, and the odor that one perceives might be a reminiscence of frankincense and myrrh, consumed in swinging censers, rather than that peculiar smell which fol lows a fire. It is so dark that one cannot see the ivy on the walls, but one knows that it is there, and if it were not so hackneyed, one would be apt to quote certain lines concerning Melrose Abbey. But on such occasions people do not express their feel ings in the words of another. They do not seek to express them at all, but float along idly, borne by the current of their thoughts, like a boat drifting on the bosom of the river. At another point one can faintly distinguish twisted and distorted iron beams, half covering and half covered by massive blocks of stone. There they lie, in one chaotic mass, dumb witnesses 258 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: of some terrible conflict. By the light of day we could tell how recent had heen their over throw; but now, by the uncertain beams of the moon, we cannot tell but what they are as venerable as the world itself, and sitting there, we can recon struct them as we will. Story by story rises the airy pile. Bright lights gleam from its windows, and strains of music mingle with the tread of the feet that cross its marble floors. But the flickering flame, still fitfully burning in the centre of the ruins, suddenly dies out, and the lights disappear, and the building goes down as suddenly as it rose; and with it, the guests that thronged its halls. Beyond it is something that was once a pile of wheat. Now it is a hill which dwarfs those in Lincoln Park, and from its sides come intermittent jets of fire and smoke. Were it only higher, then imagination could easily convert it into a new Vesuvius. Its flames serve to light up the building beyond, and cast a dim, un certain glare upon the river, a rival of the light house, and an unsafe guide for sailors. It is a great pity, for purely artistic reasons, that there are not more walls standing. These poor half-story remnants have not half the pathos of a building, which, destroyed within, still uprears itself and bids defiance to fate. It is a blind Samson, but a Samson still powerful for good or evil; and the architect will come along in the morning, and will scan the vast, though scarred proportions, and will dose him with bricks and mortar, and whitewash him, and restore his flowing locks—to wit, put a ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 259 Mansard roof on him, and he will look about as good as new, though the traces of the wounds are still visible, if you only know where to look for them ; or else the Fire Marshal will order the walls to come down, and, in the act of doing it, two or three Philistines will be slain, and the coroner will be called upon to hold an inquest, and will find a difficulty in doing so, since the county is too poor to pay twenty-five cents per head to jurymen, and there are no mora inducements to accept the posi tion. For office seeking is at an end for the moment, and when the court house was burned, more than half the candidates promptly withdrew. To these buildings, thus left partly standing, there is a won_ derful expression, varying with their condition. There are those which seem to implore, and those which seem to threaten. Some are weary of the contest with fortune, while others are still obdurate} and unwilling to give way; but about these odds and ends of brick and mortar there is no expression whatever. No life remains in them, and nothing can lend them the power to charm. But the eye lingers fondly over hanging cornices and projecting pinnacles, one moment bright with the moon, and then shading away into darkness. Over to the left there is nothing. There no walls remain, and the eye can distinguish nothing but a succession of slight hollows and slight elevations. It might have been anything—a water-washed field, or a space of ground, on which had been de posited dust heaps or the refuse of a furnace. 'Ill 260 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: Beyond that lies a black chasm where the river flows, and as one gets nearer, the gleam of the moonlight upon the waves at once changes the char acter of the scene. Then there was a dark abyss, beyond which grimly rose a long vista of half- destroyed and threatening walls. Now, the glancing and sparkling waters have dispelled the loneliness and wildness of the spot. For who cau feel solitary when he is near a stream that is pure enough to mirror the firmament in its bosom, and whose slight, inarticulate noises furnish him company, and invite him, like the song of the sirens, to come nigher and nigher "? While the brook is a child, with which one laughs and babbles, the river is a full-grown man, wherewith we can hold reasonable converse, and wherefrom we can gain rare information, to be found nowhere else. For a moment the moon is eclipsed, and the powers of night have fully resumed their control. By the dim starlight, one can see only the vaguely outlined forms of objects near at hand. The river has gone - from sight, and the buildings beyond are swallowed up in the darkness. Far away are the blazing coal heaps, burning up like mimic volcanoes, and farther yet, the gas lamps of the west side ; but they seem infinitely remote, and on the verge of the horizon of the night. All other sights, all sounds, have died away, and there remains only a sense of desolation and ruin, so great and terrible that one can linger no longer, but gropes his way as best he can back to the light, and the homes of men. ITS FAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 261 The Spine of Chicago. A son of Mayor Mason was engaged in the stove business and was at Troy, New York, at the time of the fire, he returned to Chicago, arriving Tues day morning. The Troy Times tells what he did in view of the calamity : " He is a young man and just commenced busi ness life. Married a little over a year ago. he was established in a prosperous stove trade, and had just completed a new house for himself and wife. Every thing was swept away, except his wedding presents, which were at the house of his father. This house was saved. The fires were hardly out before young Mason gathered these presents together and started with them for New York. He sold them to Tiflany & Co. for $5,000 With this money he will now re-establish himself, opening a store, at present, in the basement of his father's elegant residence. A car load of stoves was shipped to him on Saturday. The young man shows the real Chicago pluck." Another instance is shown in the following dis patch of a merchant whose wife and family were in New York. The telegraph was not in operation until Tuesday, when among the first business was the following : " MRS. ————, "————Hotel, N. York. " Store and contents, dwelling and everything lost. Insurance worthless. See ————, immediately; tell 262 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: him to buy all the coffee he can get and ship it this afternoon by express. Don't cry." Wanted to see the Ruins. The following story is said to be literally true, and serves to explain how the dashing enterprise of this city is appreciated in the rival cities : At the East St. Louis depot on last Monday eve ning, considerable confusion occurred among the passengers who were boarding the passenger train for Chicago, by an individual, carpet-bag in hand, and very much excited, shoving and pushing the crowd in his desperate efforts to reach the cars, He crowded aside and elbowed men, women, and children, making a nuisance of himself generally. Finally a gentleman whose ribs had been crushed by the excited man's elbows, and his temper ruffled by the unceremonious manner in which he had been bustled, inquired in sharp tones : "What the devil is the matter with you, old fellow?" Individual in a hurry. " Must get that train." Other Man. " Well, there is plenty of time— the train does not start for ten minutes; and, besides, there are several other people here who want that train." Excited Individual. " I must get that train, and that's fixed. I'll get that train if it costs me my life." ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 263 Other Man. " What in h—1 is the necessity of your reaching Chicago by this train, anyway ?" Man in a Hurry. " I must get to Chicago to-mor row on this train, or those people up there will have built up the whole d——d town again, and I won't see them ruins——— !" ANOTHER. On the Monday morning of the fire, at about 6 o'clock, at which hour the Tribune Building was considered safe, and the people began flocking into Dearborn street, a man was observed carefully examining the bricks of the ruins of Keynolds' Block, picking them up carefully and "feeling" them. An observer asked him to explain his conduct, when he replied : " I was just seeing if they were cool enough to build with again !" Announcements. Following the fire, the sense of ruin and pros tration soon gave way to that other spirit which makes the best of every thing. During Wednesday, and the few days that followed, boards were stuck by each man amid the ruins of his place of business with a sign, stating where he would be found " until this building can be rebuilt." Some of the signs 264 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: were facetious. One of them hy a real estate dealer read:—" Everything lost but wife, baby and energy. Office, No. ——— Canal street." Wood's Museum was wholly destroyed, and con spicuously upon the bricks was placed a sign, in scribed : "COL. WOOD'S MUSEUM. STANDING ROOM ONLY. K. MAKSH, Treasurer." Another sign read : " Owing to circumstances over which we have no control, we have removed." Carl Pretzel, the publisher of the broken English- German Magazine, had upon the ruins of his place of business this legend : " Carl Pretzel, gon avay." .a. Mournful Case. One of the numerous correspondents of Eastern papers, writing from this city, relates the following incident, which is substantially true : ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 265 " But by far the saddest case here was that of a beautiful and refined woman, known, I understand, in art and operatic circles, whose husband is missing, and who escaped herself in only a night-wrapper, was driven to distraction by the terrors of the wild flight, and was picked up in Lincoln Park in a state of more than half insanity. In the direst need of care from her own sex, ready to die, almost, from extreme exhaustion, and wandering in mind most of the time, she had received last night only the nursing and help which two men could give, and now lay on a pallet upon the church floor, directly behind the rear pew on one side. " A young woman cared for her during the day, but at night female imagination lent partial in sanity too great terrors, and care which should have fallen to womanly sympathy devolved on the rude though kind and skilled hands of men. The man whose brave and clear head gave him chief charge had had experience in a hospital ; but it was pitiful that womanly protection should not be at hand, and that the couch of such a sufferer should not be ten derly spread under a private roof. Unhappily, the entire length of burnt Chicago intervened between all these sufferers, on the north side, and that part of the city where suitable care could have been secured for them." This accomplished lady was carried from her resi dence in delicate health, and eventually found refuge in a German Lutheran Church, spared by the fire, several miles from her residence. A geu- 266 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: tleman residing in that neighborhood discovered her among the destitute, who had fled to the building for shelter. He carried her to his own house, where she had every care and attention that kind ness and skill could provide. But all was unavail ing. On Sunday morning she died. The shock to her mental faculties had been too severe, and kind ness and care had come too late. Her husband was not at home when the fire attacked her residence, nor did he find her until Thursday. This lady be longed to a gifted family—one historically identified with the opera in the United States. Mrs. Lander. The accomplished Mrs. Lander, who was stopping at the Sherman House on the night of the fire, was forced to fly. She procured the assistance of a friend, and together they dragged or carried a couple of trunks from the burning hotel, and a few hours later, found a safe resting place a mile dis tant. In a letter to a lady friend, written on the Sunday after the fire, she thus sketches the dread ful night, and gives an exposition of the indomita ble energy of the people of the city : "MY DEAR FRIEND: A word from me, with an assurance of my mother's and my own safety, will perhaps be wel come. In the hurry of the alarm, at the dead of night, the sparks and flakes of fire, thicker than ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 267 the heaviest flakes of an Eastern snow-storm, cared for by an entire stranger, we escaped to the shelter of a friend's roof, a mile beyond, where at last the fire was checked; and now a week has passed, yet oui nerves are not quieted. Constant alarms of fresh fires keep us anxious and excited. Every block provides its own patrol guard. Every passerby, after nightfall, is stopped and questioned, such is the dread of incendiarism. We have no gas, but none is needed; the immense piles of grain (2,500,000 bushels) in what were the limits of great grain elevators, and the heaps of coal in the storeyards, the smaller heaps in each coal cellar, with their respective yellow and blue flames re flected in the clouds over the burned and unburned streets, light with a fearful red glare, suggesting, where the clouds hang low and heavy, new cause for alarm. " Think ! Four square miles of thickly populated, and on the business side, densely-built streets. First the business offices of the great merchants of this great electric business-mart, then their luxurious homes on the north side, homes in which treasures of the Old World were collected, pic tures, sculpture, books, and gems, combined with the workmanship and products of the New World ; costly carving, rich furniture, carriages, horses—the estimate in all cannot fall short of one thousand millions—all swept away by the accidental overturn of a lamp in a little Bohemian shanty or cow-shed. It seems inconceivable how the fire could at first u mi in 268 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: have been fed. Amid low one or two-story build ings, through two blocks on the west side, it began, the wind helping from the southwest. It scorched, but left the larger buildings, to return when rein forced by flames from the bridge and shipping, and lumber and coal yards. Then the big flakes of fire and flame crossed the river, taking a diagonal course over the south side, seizing all in its way to the court house, passing the new Pacific Hotel (nearly finished), and sweeping the Sherman House and all between the square and the river. Crossing the street, the whirlwind of flame drew into its circle block after block to the right. Hooley's Opera House to Dearborn street, First National Bank, showered its flakes on the Tremont House, followed on to the Illinois Central depot and the lake, seizing on the lower end of State street and Wabash and Michigan avenues. Then came the marvel : in the teeth of a hurricane of wind, the fire-fiend ate its way in great swirls of flame backward, where people had rested and goods were heaped to the windward ' of all harm.' It pushed back and back, until men, women and children, the sick and the aged, teams, carriages drawn by horses or men, laden down with goods, were fleeing away, many never stopping until the southern limits of the city were reached. Wild rumors of the rapidity of the com ing flames caused doubt a mile from the fire. At last, by trusting to Sheridan, and blowing up a few insignificant buildings, the scourge was stopped to the south. But, in the meantime, what had it done CHAMDER OF COMMERCE AND COURT-HOUSE. 'JJ-'f, ." te>$9$lfc •f 't. ¿à *.-- AND CUSTOM-HOUSt. ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 271 north? While the men had been fighting the flames round their business houses, and the few, comparatively few, houses of their friends, the flames had recrossed the river, burning away all the bridges, forming impassable volcanoes of fire to their homes, surprising, in many instances the unguarded inmates. If at the south the horror was felt, it yielded in all respects to the terrors of the north side of the city ; here it was striven against—there it revelled unchecked. " Nothing but the destruction of Pompeii can out line the savageness and rapidity of its career. It fed on everything—the Nicholson pavement of the streets, the sidewalks, the fences; for example, one instance in many, a lady and her children took refuge four times, and four times that flaming sword pointed " onward !" until she found shelterless safety, with hundreds of others, five miles from home, on the open prairie, where they passed the fearful night. Others were surrounded by the fire and rushed into the lake, where, by plunging under the water as the heat became unbearable, they saved their own and children's lives. Again, delicate women fled along the streets, their footsteps licked by the dogging flames, igniting their hastily-donned clothing. A cry ! a stop ! and the fire is put out by some friendly hand ; that brief stop is almost fatal, and the utmost speed is needed to regain lost ground in this race for life. Into the old graveyard—over the graves of the dead—fled the living, as through the dry grass and over the fences and trees crept or 16 272 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: leaped their enemy, beyond all houses, into Lincoln Park, on to the barren lake shore; and there, ex hausted, they sank thankful on the sand. " But in this struggle what became of the weak, sick and infirm among the thousands of families turned out on that pitiless night, separated, and lost—how many forever in time ? Weeks must be past before the sad list can be completed. What stayed the fire on that side God knows. " And now, after this visitation—in which court house, churches, water works, gas house, depots, hotels, theatres, post office, telegraph, wholesale and retail stores, grain elevators, breweries and over 30,000 houses were destroyed, and 150,000 people left homeless—see the hopefulness, energy, and cheerful determination of everybody. Men have sketched plans for their new buildings by the light of the element destroying their old ones. No despondency, even with a conviction of bankrupt insurance companies staring them in the face. Even the most sanguine repudiate the idea of insurance money for destruction on so large a scale; and imagine how their hearts warmed and throbbed when communication with the outer world was re-established, when the sympathy and aid of the whole nation—the whole world—was theirs. The first telegram flashed over the restored wires from St. Louis was followed by others from city after city ; before the fires had ceased raging, trains laden with food and clothing arrived, and now relief is pouring in a steady stream. ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 273 •' To-morrow morning at 10 o'clock all the banks resume business. Insurance offices are ready to pay all demands, the ruins are being cleared off, a hun dred wooden buildings are already a story high for temporary use ; on Thursday water is promised, in a week gas ; and while the city will be rebuilt, the Chicago Aid and Relief Society will supply shelter in wooden barricks, and administer to the needy and sick the funds so lavishly bestowed.." Escape and Death. The clearing away of the debris has disclosed the fact that the loss of life has been much greater than was supposed. Nothing but business blocks have yet been searched, and the number of bodies found exceed 300. When the sites of the many thousand of dwellings shall be explored, the additions to this number, it is now feared, will be astounding. Recent acts disclose the tragic end of a well known citizen, the particulars of which are in themselves but the history of hundreds of cases. Mr. John E. Donovan removed to Chicago some years ago from Sauk county, Wisconsin, where he had served as sheriff of the county, and where he (vas well known. In this city he had for several years been known as the lessee of Pope's Block, adjoining the new Open Board Building. At the time of the fire he was stopping with his wife and child (a little girl about two years old) in the Post Office Block, on the corner of Dearborn and Mon- 274 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: roe streets, east of the post office. During Sunday night Mr. Dono van had watched the burning of the main portion of the business centre of the city; had witnessed the burning of Pope's Block, Farwell Hall, Board of Trade, Court House, Sherman House, etc., having in his own mind concluded that the Post Office Block would not burn. But in the morning the fire had assumed such a shape that it at once became apparent that the block could not be saved. He then removed his wife and child to a place of safety on the corner of State and Monroe streets, while he returned to his room to secure some papers. What followed will appear from the fol lowing letter from Mrs. Ackley, the last person, so far as is known, who saw Mr. Donovan : • WYOMING, JONES COUNTY, IOWA, November 19, 1871. MRS. DONOVAN : Dear Madam :—I regret that your letter was not received sooner, I sympathize with you, and would be glad to give you something definite regarding your husband if possible. All I can say is that, just before the building burned, I went up to my room, leaving my son Jesse on State street to watch my trunks. In a few minutes a man came up and told me to leave the building immediately, saying, " Those old stables are all on fire." I supposed he meant those wooden buildings in the rear of the block, but looking out I saw no fire, and did not think he meant the buildings oppo site, on Monroe street. I then stepped into your ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 275 room, No. 29, seeing Mr. Donovan there, and said to him, " that man is more scared than hurt," to which he replied, "that is just what / think—I don't see any fire." The man, speaking as he did, using the word "stables," is what deceived Mr. Donovan, as well as myself. This is all the conver sation I had with him. I cannot tell positively whether he had anything in his hands or not—h'e was standing or walking in about the middle of the room. I saw him no more. On going to my rooms my boy came running in perfectly wild with fright, saying, " Mother, you will be burned alive here !" We ran down the Monroe street stairway ; in the ixcitement I never thought to stop at your room and ought to have called to Mr. Donovan, but you know how it is at such times. We ran to THE TRIBUNE corner, and found ourseWes in a situation where suffocation seemed inevitable. When we went on Monroe street it was black with smoke. Jesse says it was when he came up, and he says he did not see any one either in the building nor in street. I did. not see any one. I did not think of anything but being burned alive. The fire was coming on us from the opposite side of Monroe street. I cannot tell whether our building was then on fire, but Jesse said : " We cannot go to the trunks —-we must go down Dearborn street." It was hot on the street. We kept on our side of Monroe >treet, ran around the corner, and down the east side of Dearborn street until we reached THE TRIBUNE office. Jesse says he looked back when in 276 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO I range of McVicker's Theatre, and he says (but you must not rely too much on it) that he thinks that the Post Office Block was then on fire—at least, he says, there was a fearful body of fire back of us. I cannot remember as well as he can. The only way of escape for us from THE TRIBUNE corner was along Madison street to the Madison street bridge. This was a fearful journey—beyond description. All this distance, of about seven blocks, had just been burned down, and the smoke and heat and wind, and some times the flames, were terrible. I saw no one but men, and their faces were as white as this paper. I do not give up easy, but if a gentleman, escaping the same way had not helped me, I should never have got over the hot piles of brick burning my feet, and the hot coiled telegraph wires tripping me at every step. I lost everything but the clothes I wore. Mrs. Donovan, my heart aches for you ! I presume this letter does not contain one grain of anything satis factory ; if you do find your husband, please write to me the particulars. Very truly, MRS. ACKLEY. Nothing further was known concerning the fate of Mr. Donovan until Saturday, November 18th, when the workmen in THE TRIBUNE Building found the remains of two men. Their bodies lay under the pavement, on the north side of the building, and about thirty feet east of Dearborn street. About five feet from the door which led into this "News ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 277 boys' room," lay the body of Joseph P. Stubbs, a young man who had recently come to the city, and who was associate editor of one of our daily papers at the time of his death ; and beyond him, about ten feet to the east, was found the body of John E. Donovan. Both men were. found with their heads to the east, their hair burned, features destroyed, and limbs consumed. The broken pavement fell on these bodies, and the watch taken from Mr. Dono van's pocket was crushed, and stopped at 18 minutes to 10. Under this pavement then, these men had been driven for safety—where, doubtless, they were secure, until the expanding of the iron joists caused the north wall of THE TRIBUNE Building to fall, crushing them instantly. Mr. Donovan was held in high esteem by all who knew him. A friend informs us that he often heard him express his confidence that THE TRIBUNE Building needed no insurance, because it could not be destroyed by fire. Driven to the corner of Dear born and Madison streets, as he must have been very soon after Mrs. Ackley's escape, in that awful moment he chose the protection of this building to the desperate chance through burning ruins for the distance of more than half a mile. The Petroleum Stone. Since the fire there have been numerous publica tions of a statement to the effect that a large pro portion of the stone used in building in Chicago 278 THE GEEAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: was charged with petroleum; that this exuding from the stone presented an inviting material to the fire, and that the sudden wreck of the buildings was occasioned by the consumption of this inflam mable petroleum stone. A writer in Chambers' Journal of Science relates that an immense deposit of this kind of stone lies within a few miles of Chicago, and that the quantity of ore contained in a few square yards of the rock is great. This para graph in Chambers, has been made the most of by the sensationalists. A city built-of stone from which petroleum is forever exuding ! It would be a marvel, if true ; it would be intensely disagreeable if the fact was as stated, and it would be an admira bly devised means of spreading fire from house to house. Now for the facts. The stone used in building in the city was mainly what is known as Athens, or Illinois marble. It is found in large quantities between this city and Joliet, and large quarries have been opened along the canal. This stone is used for ordinary walls, for curbing, for flagging for sidewalks, and for the polished and ornamented fronts of buildings. It is easily worked, is abundant, admits of a handsome polish, and was the general material used. There was used also, but not until lately, a somewhat simi lar stone, a shade or two darker, and known as the Cleveland stone. A few buildings were constructed of a harder stone, brought from Lockport, New York. A half dozen others were made of a stone manufactured by machinery, and there were two ITS PAST, PEESENT AND FUTUEE. 279 others going up, which were using a deep red sand stone from Lake Superior. There was but one building of any size built of what has now been called petroleum stone. This was the Second Presbyterian Church, on the corner of Wabash avenue and Washington street. The petroleum part of the story is due to the fact that the rock is deeply mottled, from a strong gray to a deep dull black. The obscuration of the natural color is owing to what seems to be an exudation of dark matter. If this be an exudation, it is inex haustible, for this church has been built nearly twenty-five years, and there has never been any change in its appearance. The quarry from which this stone is obtained is situated in the northwestern part of the city, and the stone was used largely for foundation walls. When the oil wells were discovered in Pennsyl vania, it occurred to some persons that this exuda tion upon the stone might be an indication of oil. As a speculation the property was purchased, and boring commenced. At a depth of several hundred feet the drill struck water ! and from that well, ever since, during the six or more years that have inter vened, there has been a copious flood of pure water, but not the slightest indication of oil ! Not a grease spot has ever been discovered. Another well was subsequently sunk, and to a greater depth, but water and not oil has been the result. The petro leum theory was thus effectually exploded, and was 280 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: ITS PAST, PEESENT AND FUTURE. 281 forgotten until it was revived by the sensationalists after the fire. Another fact, showing the absurdity of the story of petroleum-bearing rock spreading the flames, or occasioning the instant melting down of stone walls, is that the walls of the only large building in the city, built of that stone, did not crumble or fall down under the heat, but survived the conflagration in all their integrity. The true cause of the destruction of the stone walls was that the gale operated with the force of the blow pipe, intensifying the heat to that degree, that nothing could resist it. Generous in "Danger. Mr. Kerfoot, son of the late Dr. Kerfoot, of Penn sylvania, gives the following graphic account of his escape from the fire with his wife and children: " Being the owner of a horse and carriage which I used to go to and fro from my business, when I became satisfied that my house would soon be en veloped, I brought my horse and carriage before the house, and placed my wife and children in it. There was no room for me, so I mounted the back of the animal and acted as postilion. While driving through the flame and smoke which enveloped us on all hands, I came across a gentleman who had his wife in a buggy, and was between the thills hauling it himself. I shouted to him to hitch his carnage on behind mine, which he did, and then got in beside his wife. I then drove forward as fast as I could, for the flames were raging around After proceeding a short distance, another us. gentleman was found standing beside the street, with a carriage, waiting for a horse, which was not likely to come. I directed him to fasten on behind the second carriage, which he did, and in this way we whipped up and got out of the way of the flames with our wives and children, thank God." The Views of an Expert. Frederick Law Olmstead, Esq., writes a long let ter to the N. Y. Nation under date of November 2d, from which we take the following : " I have had an opportunity of looking at Chi cago at the beginning of the fourth week after the fire, and, as you requested, will give you a few notes of my observation. " Chicago had a central quarter, compactly built, mostly of brick, stone, and iron, and distinguished by numerous very large and tall structures, com. parable to, but often more ostentatious than, Stew- art's store in New York. They were mostly lined, to the fourth, fif'h, or sixth floor, with pine-wood shelves, on which, or in pine-wood cases, a fresh stock of—larger at the moment than ever before— dry goods, or other inflammable materials, was set up, with plentiful air-space for rapid combustion. This central quarter occupied a mile and a half 282 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: square of land. On one side of it was the lake; on the other three sides, for the distance of a mile, the building, though irregular, was largely of detached houses, some of the villa class, with small planted grounds about them, and luxuriously furnished, but generally comfortable dwellings, of moderate size, set closely together. There were also numerous churches and tall schbol buildings, and some large factories. At a distance of two miles from the centre, and beyond, houses were much scattered, and within a mile of the political boundary there was much open prairie, sparsely dotted with cabins and a few larger buildings. It will be seen that a much larger part of the town proper was burned than a stranger would be led to suppose by the published maps. " The fire started half a mile southwest, which was directly to windward, of the central quarter, rapidly carried its heights, and swept down from them upon the comparatively suburban northern quarter, clearing it to the outskirts, where the few scattered houses remaining were protected by a dense grove of trees. The field of ruin is a mile in width, bounded by the lake on one side and mainly by a branch of the river on the other, and four miles in length, thus being as large as the half of New York City from the Battery to the Central Park, or as the whole of the peninsula of Boston. The houses burned set ten feet apart would form a row over a hundred miles in length. I judge that more than a third of the roof-space and fully half ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 283 the floor-space of the city, the population of which was 330,000, was destroyed. " Familiar with these facts and comparisons before I came here, and having already seen many who had left the city since the fire, I now feel my self to have been able but slightly to appreciate the magnitude of its calamity. Besides the extent of the ruins, what is most remarkable is the complete ness with which the fire did its work, as shown by the prostration of the ruins and the extraordinary absence of smoke-stains, brands, and all debris, ex cept stone, brick, and iron, bleached to an ashey pallor. The distinguishing smell of the ruins is that of charred earth. In not more than a dozen cases have the four walls of any of the great blocks, or of any buildings, been left standing together. It is the exception to find even a single corner or chimney holding together to a height of more than twenty feet. It has been possible, from the top of an omnibus, to see men standing on the ground three miles away across what was the densest, lofti est, and most substantial part of the city. " Generally, the walls seem to have crumbled in from top to bottom, nothing remaining but a broad low heap of rubbish in the cellar—so low as to be overlooked from the pavement. Granite, all sand stones and all limestones, whenever fully exposed to the southwest, are generally flaked and scaled, and blocks, sometimes two and three feet thick, are cracked through and through. Marble and other limestones, where especially exposed, as in 284 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION—CHICAGO: doors and window-dressings, especially if in thin slabs, have often fallen to powder. Walls of the bituminous limestone, of which there were but few, instead of melting away, as was reported, seem to have stood rather better than others ; I cannot tell why. Iron railings and lamp-post, detached from buildings, are often drooping, and, in thinner parts, seem sometimes to have been fused. Iron columns and floor-beams are often bent to a half-circle. The wooden (Nicholson) asphalt-and-tar-concrete pavements remain essentially unharmed, except where red-hot material or burning liquids have lain upon them. Street rails on wood are generally in good order ; on McAdam, as far as I have seen, more often badly warped. ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 285 * * " You ask whether it is in the power of man ade quately to guard against such calamities—whether other great cities are as much exposed as was Chicago ? All the circumstances are not established with sufficient accuracy for a final answer, and one cannot, in the present condition of affairs, make full inquiries of men who must be best informed ; but to such preliminary discussion as is. in order, I can offer a certain contribution. " The prevailing drought was, I think, a less im portant element of the fire in Chicago—whatever may have been the case as to those other almost more terrific fires which occurred simultaneously in Wisconsin and Michigan—than is generally as sumed ; yet doubtless it was of some consequence. As to the degree of it, I learn that there had been no heavy rain since the 3d of July, and, during this period of three months, it is stated by Dr. Hauch, the Sanitary Superintendent, the total rain-fall had been but two and a half inches. The mean annual rain-fall at Chicago is thirty-one inches. With re gard to the cause of the drought, it is to be con sidered that millions of acres of land hereabouts, on which trees were scarce, have been settled within thirty years by people whose habits had been formed in regions where woods abound. They have used much timber for building, for fencing, rail roads, and fuel. They have grown none. They are planting none to speak of. The same is true of nearly all parts of our country in which a great de struction of forests has occurred or is occurring. If the reduction of foliage in any considerable geo graphical division of the world tends to make its seasons capricious, as there is much evidence, the evil both of destructive droughts and devastating floods is very likely to extend and increase until we have a government service which we dare trust with extensive remedial measures. It is not a matter which commerce can be expected to regulate. " I can obtain no scientifically definite statement of the force of the wind. Several whom I have questioned recollect that they found it difficult, sometimes for a moment impossible, to make head against it; but I think that no year passes that some of our cities do not experience as strong a gale, and that every city in the country must ex- 286 THE GEEAT CONFLAGKATIQN—CHICAGO: pect to find equal dryness coinciding with equal force of wind as often, at least, as once in twenty years. " The origin of the fire was probably a common place accident. The fire started in a wooden build ing and moved rapidly from one to another, close at hand, until the extended surface of quickly-burning material heated a very large volume of the atmos phere, giving rise to local currents, which, driving brands upon the heated roofs and cornices of the tall buildings to leeward, set them on fire, and through the rapid combustion of their contents, loosely piled tier upon tier, developed a degree of heat so intense that ordinary means of resistance to it proved of no avail." Personal Experience of Hon. I. JV*. ¿Lrnold. The adventures of Hon. I. N. Arnold, formerly member of Congress, on the eventful night of the fire, were very exciting, but probably not more so than those of thousands of others. His story, which he contributed to the Chicago journals, is therefore the story of many others, and will serve to illustrate some of the terrors of that fearful night : Mr. Arnold's house was situated almost in the centre of a block, and surrounded by a garden which the owner believed afforded ample protection against the approach of the fiery foe. Accordingly no attempt was made to save any of his valuables, but the efforts of his household, consisting of him- SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. \ ^- " SHEPHARD BLOCK, DEARBORN STREET. ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 289 self, three children, and the servants, were directed towards protecting the house, in which they were for a time successful. The narrator says : " During all this time the fire fell in torrents; there was literally a rain of fire. It caught in the dry leaves ; it caught in the grass ; in the barn ; in the piazza ; and as often as it caught it was put out, before it got any headway. When the barn first caught, the horses and cows were removed to the lawn. The fight was continued, and with success, until three o'clock in the morning. Every moment flakes of fire falling, touching dry wood, with the high wind, would kindle into a blaze, and the next instant would be extinguished. The contest after 3 o'clock grew warmer and more fierce, and those who fought the devouring element were becoming exhausted. The contest had been going on from half past one until after three, when young Arthur Arnold, a lad of thirteen, called to his father. ' The barn and hay are on fire?' 'The leaves are on fire on the east side,' said the gardener. ' The front piazza is in a blaze,' cried another, ' the front greenhouse is in flames, and the roof on fire/ ' The water .has stopped!' was the last appalling announcement. ' Now, for the first time,' said Mr. A., ' J gave up hope of saving my home, and considered whether we could save any of the contents. My pictures, papers and books, can I save any of them T An effort was made to cut down some portraits, a land scape of Kensett, Otsego Lake, by Mignot—it was too late! Seizing a bundle of papers, gathering 17 290 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION—CHICAGO: the children and servants together, and, leading forth the animals, they started. But where to go 1 They were surrounded by fire on three sides ; to the south, west and north raged the flames, making a wall of fire and smoke from the ground to the sky; their only escape was east to the lake shore. Leading the horses and cow, they went to the beach. Here were thousands of fugitives hemmed in, and imprisoned by the raging element. The sands, from the Government pier north to Lill's pier, a distance of three-quarters of a mile, were covered with men, women, and children, some half clad, in every variety of dress, with the motley collection of things which they sought to save. Some had silver, some valuable papers, some pic tures, some old carpets, beds, etc. One little child had her doll tenderly pressed in her arms, an old woman a grunting pig, a fat woman had two large pillows, as portly as herself, which she had ap parently snatched from her bed when she left. There was a singular mingling of the awful, the ludicrous, and the pathetic." Mrs. Arnold and her little daughter, Alice, had been sent away to the residence of Mrs. Scudder, and the party were accordingly separated, a circum stance which added to the anxiety of the wander ers. After toiling along W. B. Ogden's pier, they hired a small row boat and were conveyed to the light house, where they were cordially received by the authorities, and other refugees who had ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 291 preceded them. "The party remained prisoners in the light house, and the pier on which it stood for several hours. The shipping above in the river was burning ; the • immense grain elevators of the Illinois Central and Galena Railroads were a mass of flames, and the pier itself, some distance up the river, was slowly burning toward the light house. A large propeller fastened to the dock a short dis tance up the river caught fire, and the danger was that as soon as the ropes by which it was fastened burned off it would float down stream and set fire to the dock in the immediate vicinity of the light house. Several propellers moved down near the mouth of the river and took on board several hun dred fugitives and steamed out into the lake. If the burning propeller came down it would set fire to the pier, the lighthouse, and vast piles of lumber, which had as yet escaped in consequence of being directly on the shore and detached from the burn ing mass. A fire company was organized of those on the pier, and with water dipped in pails from the river the fire kept at bay, but all felt relieved when the propeller went to the bottom. The party were still prisoners on an angle of sand, and the fire run ning along the north shore of the river. The river and the fire preventing an escape to the south, west and north. The fire was still raging with un abated fury. The party waited for hours, hoping the fire would subside. The day wore on, noon passed, and 1 and 2 o'clock, and still it seemed dif ficult, if not dangerous, to escape to the north. Mr. 292 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: Arnold, leaving his children in the light house, went north towards Lill's, and thought it was practicable to get through, but was not willing to expose the females to the great discomfort and possible danger of the experiment." " Between 3 and 4 in the afternoon the tug-boat Clifford came down the river and tied up near the light house. Could she return—taking the party up the river—through and beyond the fire to the west side, or was it safer and better to remain at the light house; If it and the pier, the lumber and shanties around should burn during the night, as seemed not unlikely, the position would not be tenable, and might be extremely perilous ; besides, Mr. A. was extremely anxious to Jcnow that Mrs. A. and little Alice were safe. The officer of the tug said the return passage was practicable. Eush, Clark, State and Wells street bridges had all burned and their fragments had fallen into the river The great warehouses elevators, storehouses, docks on the banks of the river, were still burning, but the fury of the fire had exhausted itself. The party resolved to go through this narrow canal or river to the south bank, outside the burning dis trict. This was the most dangerous experience of the day. The tug might take fire herself, the wood work of which had been blistered with heat as she came down; the engine might get out of order and the boat become unmanageable after she got inside the line of fire, or she might get en tangled in the floating timber and debris of the ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 293 bridges. However, the party determined to go. A full head of steam was gotten up, the hose was at tached to the engine, so that if the boat or clothes caught it could be put out. The children and ladies were placed in the pilot house, and the windows shut, and the boat started. The men crouched clear to the deck behind the butt works, and with a full head of steam the tug darted past the abut ments of Rush street bridge ; as they passed the State street bridge the pilot had to pick his way carefully among falling and floating timber. The extent of the danger was now obvious, but it was too late to retreat. As the boat passed State street the pump supplying cold water ceased to work, and the ex posed wood in some parts was blistering. ' Snatch ing a handkerchief/ says Mr. Arnold, ' I dipped it in water, and covering the face and head of Arthur, whose hat the wind had blown away, I made him lie flat on the deck, as we plunged forward through the fiery furnace.' On we sped past Clark and Wells streets. ' Is not the worst over V he asked of the Captain, as the boat dashed on and on. ' We are through sir,' answered the Captain. ' We are safe.' ' Thank God !' came from hearts and lips as the boat emerged from the smoke into the clear, cool air outside the fire lines." The party went ashore at Lake street, and Mr. Arnold commenced a search for his wife and child, who he found had gone to Evanston. It was not until the next night that the whole family were re united at the residence of Judge Drummond. 294 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: RELIEF MEASURES. The greatness of the calamity was equalled by the greatness of the generosity which followed it. The world has never known such an outpouring of charity before. Scarcely had the telegraph borne the news of the disaster abroad, when in every city, town and village of the country meetings were held for the relief of Chicago. The movement was a universal and spontaneous one, city councils, cor porations, railroads and steamboat interests, banks, churches, Sunday schools, theatres, men, women and children, vied with each other in generous deeds. Cash contributions and car loads of provisions of every description poured into the city until there was absolute danger, that in the plethora every thing would be wasted. Meeting in Boston. Among the many stirring appeals, none were more eloquent than that of Rev. Edward Everett Hale, of Boston, at Faneuil Hall, as follows : " MR. MAYOR AND GENTLEMEN :—It is but a sin gle word that I have to say here. I have simply to remind you that this is no mere matter of voting in which we are engaged. I have to remind you that these people, our people in Chicago, by their munifi cence, by their generosity, by their strength, by their public spirit, have made us debtors to them all. [Applause]. There is not a man here, the beef upon ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 295 whose table yesterday was not the cheaper to him because these people laid out their world-renowned and wonderful system.of stock-yards. [Applause.] There is not a man here, the bread upon whose table to-day is riot cheaper because these people, in the very beginning of their national existence, invented and created that marvellous system for the delivery of grain which is the model and pattern of the world. [Applause.] And remember that they were in a position where they might have said they held a monopoly. They commanded the only harbor for the shipping of the five greatest States of America and the world, and in that position they have devo ted themselves now for a generation to the steady improvement, by every method in their power, of the means by which they were going to answer the daily prayer of every child to God when praying that He will give us our daily bread, through their enterprise and their struggles. We call it their misfortune. It is our misfortune. We are all, as it has been said, linked together in a solidarity of the nation. Their loss is no more theirs than it is ours in this great campaign of peace in which we are engaged. There has fallen by this calamity one of our noblest fortresses. Its garrison is without munitions. It is for us at this instant to reconstruct that fortress, and to see that its garrison are as well placed as they were before in our service. Un doubtedly it is a great enterprise ; but we can trust them for that. We are all fond of speaking of the miracle by which there in the desert there was ere- Illl1" 296 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION—CHICAGO: ated this great city. The rod of some prophet, you say, struck it, and this city flowed from the rock. Who was the prophet1? what was the rock I It was the American people who determined that that city should be there, and that it should rightly and wisely, and in the best way, distribute the food to a world. [Applause.] The American people has that duty to discharge again. I know that these numbers are large numbers. But the providence of God has taught us to deal with larger figures than these, and when, not many years ago, it became necessary for this country in every year to spend not a hundred millions, not a thousand millions, but more than a thousand millions of dollars in a great enterprise which God gave this country in the duty of war, this country met its obligation. And now that in a single year we have to reconstruct one of the fortresses of peace, I do not fear that this coun try will be backward in its duty. It has been truly said that the first duty of all of us is, that the noble pioneers in the duty that God has placed in their hands, who are suffering, shall have food and cloth ing; that those who for forty-eight hours have felt as if they were deserted, should know that they have friends everywhere in God's world. [Applause.] Mr. President, as God is pleased to order this world there is no partial evil but from that partial evil is reached the universal good. The fires which our friends have seen sweeping over the plains in the desolate autumn, only bring forth the blossoms and richness of the next spring and summer. ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 297 « I can well believe that on that terrible night of Sunday, and all through the horrors of Monday, as those noble people, as those gallant workmen, threw upon the flames the water that their noble works—the noblest that A merica has seen—enabled them to hurl upon the enemy, that.they must have imagined that their work was fruitless, that it was lost toil, to see those streams of water playing into the molten mass, and melt into steam and rise in nocuous to the heavens. It may well have seemed that their work was wasted ; but it is sure that evil shall work out its own end, and the mists that rose from the conflagration were gathered together for the magnificent tempest of last night, which, falling upon those burning streets, has made Chicago a habitable city to-day. [Applause.] See that the lesson for this community, see that the lesson for us who are here, that the horror and tears with which we read the despatches of yesterday, shall send us out to do ministries of truth and bounty and benev olence to-day. [Applause.]" Statement of the Relief and Aid Society. "The Executive Committee of the Chicago Eelief and Aid Society are aware that the public desire to know the amount of the subscriptions to the relief fund. It is impossible at present to give a detailed account of the amounts, for the reason that purchases made in some cities—invoices of which have not yet reached us—are to be deducted from the gross 298 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: amounts of the subscription. The previous report of our treasurer stated the amount actually received at that date. We are now able to give the amount received to this date, November 7th, and the prob able amount of the entire subscriptions with ap proximate accuracy. We have actually received 82,051,023.55. "Arrangements have been made by which the society draws 5 per cent, on all its balances in bank. So far as our present information goes, and we think we have advices of all sums subscribed, the entire fund will vary but little from three millions and a half dollars. This includes the funds in the hands of the New York Chamber of Commerce, amounting to about six hundred thousand dollars, and the balance of the Boston fund, about two hundred and forty thousand; both amounting to eight hundred and forty thousand dollars, not yet placed to the credit of this society, but which may be relied upon to meet the needs of the future. "As to our disbursements, we can only say that we are at present aiding 60,000 people at our regu lar distributing points. Some of this vast number we relieve in part only, but the greater portion to the extent of their entire support. This is in addi tion to the work of the Special Relief Committee, for people who ought not to be sent to the general distributing points, and which is largely increasing upon our hands. It is also in addition to the ex penditures of the committee on existing charitable institutions. ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 299 "The great matter pressing upon your committee is shelter for the coming winter. We may feed people during the mild weather, but where and how they are to be housed—permanently housed— we regard as the serious question. To this end we have been aiding those burned out to replace small but comfortable houses upon their own or upon leased lots, where they can live, not only this win ter but next summer, and be ready to work in re building the city. Of these houses (which are really very comfortable, being 16 x 20 feet, with two rooms, one 12 x 16 feet and one 8 x 16 feet, with a planed and matched floor, panel door and good windows), we have already furnished over 4,000, making permanent houses, allowing five to a family for twenty thousand people, and with the seven thousand houses which we expect to build, shall have houses for thirty-five thousand people. These houses, and some barracks, in both of which is a moderate outfit of furniture, such as stoves, mattresses, and a little crockery, will consume, say a million and a quarter dollars, leaving two million and a quarter with which to meet all the demands for food, fuel, clothing and general expenses from the 13th of October last, until the completion of the work, which cannot end with the present winter. "The committee need hardly say that if the de mand should continue as great as at present the fund would be exhausted by mid-winter ; but we hope t;o cut this down very largely as soon as we can get people into houses, so that they can leave 300 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO. their families and find work. Indeed, this is being done already. Within a few days we shall arrive at the exact daily expense of food and fuel rations. But the demand is a fluctuating one. If the weather is good and men can work, it falls off; if cold and stormy, it increases at a fearful rate. "The work has so pressed upon us night and day that we cannot present a detailed report to the pub lic, but furnish this statement for the purpose of affording a general idea of what we have done and are trying to do, with an organization necessarily composed of unskilled forces, but the only one at hand for the emergency. We shall soon be able to give a detailed report of all sums contributed. Ladies' Relief Society. t In connection with the Relief Society, a Ladies' Belief Society was organized on the 19th of Octo ber, at the house of Mrs. Wirt Dexter. One of its primary objects was to seek out those sufferers by the fire, who shrank from making their wants known, even to the bureau of special relief, and to relieve them as quickly and as delicately as possible. For the supply of clothing, the society had an Employment Bureau. Eooms were opened where seamstresses were furnished with work. From thirty to fifty, under a competent forewoman, were busily engaged in making garments for the Chicago Belief and Aid Society. This work was under the careful supervision of the ladies, who allowed no ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 301 waste of materials in cutting, or carelessness in sew ing. Through this Employment Bureau poor, home less girls, whose means of living were taken away by the fire, by the loss of their machines, or their places, or both, and who were rapidly coming to the extremity of poverty, found useful work, and true, kind friends. The officers are as follows : President—Mrs. John Mason Loomis. Vice President—Mrs. Robert Laird Collier. Recording Secretary—Mrs. S. H. Gray. Corresponding Secretary—Mrs. Wirt Dexter. Treasurer—Mrs. George M. Pullman. Assistant Treasurer—Mrs. Martin Andrews. Employment Committee—Mrs. J. W. Foster, Mrs. G. M. Pullman, Mrs. L. Z. Leiter, Mrs. J. M. Wal ker, Mrs. M. Andrews, Mrs. G. C. Gore, Mrs. Wirt Dexter, Mrs. E. L. Collier, Mrs. J. C. Hilton, Mrs. S. Eeeve, Mrs. A. C. Badger, Mrs. Palmer Kellogg, Mrs. N. E. Fairbank. Distribution Committee—Mrs. Wirt Dexter, Mrs. G. M. Pullman, Mrs. Palmer Kellogg, Mrs. D. A. Gage, Mrs. F. M. Mitchell, Mrs. E. L. Collier, Mrs. L. Z. Leiter. Visiting Committee—Mrs. C. H. McCormick, Mrs. Dr. Locke, A. C. Badger, Mrs. F. M. Mitchell, Miss Ñ. J. Lunt, Miss N. T. Agnew, Mrs. J. M. Walker, Mrs. M. Andrews, Mrs. N. E. Fairbank. Donations. To give all the donations sent to Chicago in 302 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION—CHICAGO: detail would fill a large volume therefore content ourselves with a prominent, as follows: St. Louis, Boston, . . Pittsburgh, . . . Buffalo, . Cincinnati, ... . . Rochester, N. Y., . San Francisco, Toronto, . . New Orleans, Philadelphia, Baltimore, .... A. T. Stewart, N. Y., . Hobt. Bonner, . . . Kansas City, Mo., Indianapolis, ..... Montreal Board of Trade, Portland, . . . Leavenworth, Quincy, 111., ...... San Francisco Stock Exchange, Lawrence, Kansas, . . . Syracuse, N. Y., Haverhill, Mass., Oswego, N. Y., . Newark, N. J., . . Trenton, N. J., . . Manchester, N. H., . Terra Haute, Ind., . Bloomington, 111., . . . New York Gold Exchange, . Erie, Pa., ...... Detroit, ... . . Lancaster, Pa., .... Layfayette, Ind., . . . of itself, and we few of the more . . $200,000 400,000 300,000 100,000 . . 225,000 70,000 : 100,000 10,000 30,000 260,000 200,000 50,000 10,000 10,000 40,000 10,000 20,000 10,000 15,000 8,000 10,000 25,000 10,000 12,000 30,000 17,000 15,000 10,000 15,000 12,000 15000 . . 30,000 25,000 10,000 ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 303 We have only given the above as indications of the immense volume of charity which flowed into Chicago. The feeling of sympathy extended to Europe, and from all the large cities of England, France and Germany, came generous contributions, which were swelled by donations from the royal purses. From the king on his throne to the poor woman in her hovel, all gave their mite. The fol lowing incident told of Mr. Edward Hudson, an Illinois Railway Superintendent, shows in a humor ous way the universal sympathy, and the degree of charity to which it actuated people : Upon hearing of the burning of Chicago, his first act was to telegraph to all agents to transport free, all provisions to Chicago, and to receive such arti cles to the exclusion of freight. He then purchased a number of good hams and sent them home with a request to his wife to cook them as soon as possible, so they might be sent to Chicago. He then ordered the baker to put up fifty loaves of bread. He was kept busy during the day until 5 o'clock. Just as he was starting for home the baker informed him the hundred loaves of bread were i'eady, "But I only ordered fifty." said Ed. "Mrs. Hudson also ordered fifty," said the baker. "All right," said Ed., and he inwardly blessed his wife for the generous deed. Arriving at home he found his little boy, dressed 304 THE GEEAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: in a fine cloth suit, carrying in wood. He told him that would not do; he must change his clothes. " But mother sent all my clothes to Chicago," replied the boy. Entering the house he found his wife, clad in a fine silk dress, superintending the cooking. A re mark in regard to the matter elicited the informa tion that she had sent her other dresses to Chicago. The matter was getting serious. He sat down to a supper without butter, because all that could be purchased had been sent to Chicago. There were no pickles—the poor souls in Chicago would relish them so much. A little put out, but not a bit angry or disgusted, Ed. went to the wardrobe to get his overcoat, but it was riot there. An interrogatory revealed the fact it fitted in the box real well, and he needed a new overcoat anyway, although he had paid $50 for the one in question only a few days before. An exami nation revealed the fact that all the rest of his clothes fitted the box real nicely, for not a " dud " did he possess except those he had on. While he admitted the generosity of his wife, he thought the matter was getting entirely too personal and turned to her with the characteristic inquiry ; " Do you think we can stand an encore on that Chicago fire." . - /t. -, ' - I'ND-OFHCE, ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD. CROSBY'S DISTILLERY. UFE INSURANCE COMPANY. FIRST NATIONAL DANK. ' ' III ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 307 RELIEF INCIDENTS. A lady connected with relief operations, after the fire, says : " Once within [the church of refuge] we found plenty to do. Beds had been hastily improvised from the seats in the lecture room for the sick. Here was a poor old grandmother, with the skin all burned from her hands. There the doctor was attending to a man whose head had been crushed. Everywhere were lost children crying pitifully, who needed comforting. One boy had gone out of town to spend the night with a friend, and when he re turned, his father's house, barn, everything was gone, not so much as a fence-panel left of his splen did home. But, sadder than that, he could not find father, mother, brothers or sisters. No one could give him any information, nor any of the other poor lost children. We could only see that they had warm clothing, and urged them to eat ; and, thanks to the ready forgetfulness of childhood, they all had good appetites. And didn't we give them strong coffee and tea, and all sorts of indigestible things, though ? for already loads of good things were arriv ing from all the blessed country. There were boiled hams and tongues, roasted sirloins of beef, turkeys, chickens, cakes and genuine country dried beef, cheese and butter, and the poorest beggar in Chi cago had the privilege of dining with the Mayor and his staff of assistants. ' There are no big-bugs 18 308 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: here now,' said an old Irish woman, not, I think, without satisfaction. " On one seat lay a heautiful babe about eight months old, that had been found on the sidewalk. It lay sucking its thumb, and gazing as contentedly up at the bright windows as if it had always lived in a church. " In one corner was a German woman, with nine children, of all sizes. ' Where is your husband ? ' we inquire. " ' Ach, Gott in Himmel ! I took the children and he took the feather bed, and he was so slow I think he got burned up, mit the feather bed. There was no water, and all the men on the north side drinked beer and whisky, and then they could no go fast. If I had taken the feather bed mineself, now I would have it.' " ' Yes; but you should be thankful that you have all your children,' I suggested. " ' Aber ! What can I do mit the children, mit- out a feather bed ? ' she asked in astonishment. " Not feeling equal to a reply, we turned to an other group. It is a woman who is clinging tight to her baby, and with sobs of despair telling sympa thizing listeners how yesterday she had a pleasant home, a dear, kind husband and five children ; now this little child is all she has left. They had slept so soundly they did not waken until their own house was burning. She had snatched her babe and es caped, she knew not how, through the flames and smoke, calling to her husband to follow with the ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 309 other children. But he was too late. There was nothing left of the husband, children and home but a sickening little heap of ashes ! ' Let me have the baby/ said a tearful listener : 'I will give it some warm milk, while you lie down and rest. I hope it will be a comfort to you.' So saying she undid the shawl that was wrapped around it, but quickly closed it again with a look of horror, but not soon enough to prevent the mother from seeing that her darling was dead in her arms. It had either inhaled the flame, or the mother, in falling, had killed it, and had been carrying it for miles, not knowing it was dead. The shock was too much for her. We could see from her wandering eyes that her reason had gone forever, and we could not help feeling that it was a blessing. '•' In another room is a woman who has been hav ing convulsions all day. She brings a note to the pastor, saying that her husband was cut in twain by a fire-engine. " The next day we spend in giving out clothes. What wonderful boxes have come ! What a beau tiful exhibition of divine charity throughout the whole land ! People were in such nervous haste they did not stop to consider what was most needed, but sent everything they could lay their hands on— ball dresses, theatrical costumes, white vests and lav ender gloves, piled in with homespun jeans. Only Boston, never in her intellectual pride impulsive, telegraphed to know what was most needed; and 310 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION—CHICAGO: what elegant clothing the noble citizens of the Hub sent when they received the answer ' Everything.' " Some dear old lady has sent some brocade silks, made in the style of 1700, with immense sleeves, puffed out with eider down, and short waist with big puffs. They are really too precious to give away, say the ladies. We will have tableaux in the church this winter for the benefit of the sufferers, and use them in that way. " And what wonderful contrasts there are in the people who come for clothes ! Side by side with the miserable Irish beggars, who want something be cause the Poor House is burned down, come a for eign Consul, Judges of the Supreme Court, lawyers, editors, professors and merchants. An English gen tleman on his bridal tour, stopping at one of the hotels, lost his trunks and money. Although he offered a man $500 to assist him, he could get no assistance. Even his wife's clothes she had on caught in thé flames, and had to be torn from her back. His order called for the very best we had to give, but our very best would make a strange outfit for a wealthy young bride. " There comes a lady in a black silk velvet suit, with diamonds to match. She put on her finest clothes to save them, and has come to ask for a calico wrapper, so that she may not be so splendid in her poverty. " We were perfectly overwhelmed with calls for baby clothes. It seemed as though every family who was burned out was blessed with a baby—and ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 311 a good many orders called for clothes for twins. They were of all ages, from two hours to two years. "Many who had escaped from the flames with good clothes on, in wandering over the ruins fell into vaults and sewers, and lost them in that way. " One poor Norwegian woman, who had been sit ting in stony despair with her children by her cook stove, the only thing she had been able to save, on being told that she could get a bucket of hot soup every day all winter, without money and without price, burst into tears and insisted on shaking hands with everybody in the church, and then taking heart, fell to polishing her stove with such a will that it shone almost as bright as the blessed charity that had cheered her." Rev. Robert Collyer's Boston Sermon; On the 12th of November, Kev. Robert Collyer, the eminent Unitarian divine of Chicago, preached at Kev. E. E. Hale's Church in Boston, from the text, "A crown of life," in which he made the fol lowing allusion to the Chicago fire: " There were men in Chicago who were wearing and had already won that coronation of life. They saw in that calamity the work of the best part of a life, as it were swept away in an instant. And what a work it was, what homes they had made for themselves ! This morning they are what the world calls ruined men, all the savings of all the years melted before their eyes in fervent heat, not 312 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: even the home remaining. But, thank God, there remains that which made their homes prosperous and happy. And yet I will say that I never before saw such a divine opportunity opened before these men to win this noble coronation, the crown of vic tory. Already we have seen dozens of them right on the way to this coronation, so clearly and com pletely victorious, standing among the ashes of their burnt homes and their blasted hopes, that I should not feel more sure of their divine coronation if I saw the chariots of God and His angels stand ing with their trumpets at their lips ready to sound the glorious consummation of their lives. And yet it is a very simple thing that I have witnessed in that city since the calamity—only the shining of clear, strong eyes, only the beating of steadfast hearts, only in the hand as clasped that of a neigh bor's, only as they stood on their burnt houses ready to begin again. And I tell you if the blessed angels above knew nothing of such heart-breaking as we have had to go through there, yet I know that if they witnessed such high courage as our men have shown, and are showing, they will have anticipated God's will already done, and will have already re ceived the crown eternal. I have a small, delicate man in my parish ; I have him now in my eye ; slightly dwarfed, and I know how I used to wonder how he could carry himself along the streets ; when I met him he would tell me his business was not doing much for him, and that he was very poorly, all the time I had a little ache in my heart for that little man. ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 313 But he had a splendid wife, and a house full of children. God bless him for that ! When the fire came it burnt him up clean. He has a rich nephew down at the East, who telegraphed at once to him, offering him a home for the winter, and to give him a new start in the spring. But that little, delicate man telegraphed back, 'I can't leave the ranks,' and he hasn't left them ; he is working hard, has a nice little home, and there he lives as pleasant, com fortable and contented as ever he was." Alluding to the work which women in Chicago had done, Mr. Collyer said : " I think that in these weeks the good women of our city have already won their crown, and the angels have sung their praises. They have done such work as men never could have done ; they have been as steadfast and calm through all the terrible scenes as great captains who know the whole fate of an army lies in their hands. The day of the fire was their coronation day. They not only worked hard necessarily to save their own children, sisters, brothers, mothers, fathers, but any who happened to come in their way. Through those dark days they had shown a courage and heroism far above the men ; for by their example men were sustained, cheered and roused to greater effort. They could not well afford to have another such a fire, in one sense, but if such a fire would again call forth such a display of courage and devotion he would say heartily, ' God's will be done.' The only great example of hope and courage displayed any where during the great fire came out of the example 314 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION—CHICAGO. of woman ; out of the ruins of our city a crown has been gained and a coronation for every one." Mr. Collyer then referred to the many young men and young ladies, born, brought up and educated in the best manner which money could effect, who would be bettered by the experiences they had passed through, and who would now be enabled to commence life with a purpose in view, and with such an incentive as never before actuated their breasts. Speaking of his personal feeling in regard to the fire he said: " When that great calamity settled down upon us I thought I ought to try and find some view of the better meaning of it. I was fighting it for a whole week. But I couldn't find it. I said this whole thing is just as bad as it can be. The evil one, the devil, has got loose in this town, and has overcome the good God. And when I stood on the stone that had fallen from the crown of our poor church, with my poor flock around me, there was still a bitter drop in my heart, and I said, sometime we may thank God for this, but He won't expect us to do it to-day. Now I take it all back just as Job did. I said it because I couldn't say anything better; I couldn't bring myself to thank God for what he had wrought upon us ; I hardly thought he could have done it; I"thought the devil had overthrown God, and had wrought the destruction of our beautiful city. But I have altered my mind since then ; I have begun to talk more like 'Brother Collyer.'" In conclusion, Mr. Collyer alluded to the event of a new church for himself and congregation ; he couldn't ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 315 ask his congregation to build it, but he would ask the Unitarians of Boston; it was their duty and their right. As long as it pleased God to give him life, no other man should stand over his congrega tion ; it was his right until his mission was fulfilled, and he heard a voice saying : " Well done, good and faithful servant ; thou hast been faithful unto me in a few things, I will make thee ruler over many. Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." The Feeling in England. One of the best statements of the feeling in Lon don produced by the details of the fire, is contained in the following letter to the Chicago Tribune^ from its own correspondent in that city : LONDON, October 28. No event has occurred to divert the attention which the fires at Chicago attracted from the first. Money continues to pour in, and were it not for the persuasion which some of the influential are endeav oring to use, viz. : that America herself has already met the emergency, the supplies would be very much larger. People anxiously wait to learn the amount of suffering that exists ; whether there is sufficient shelter ; what has been saved ; what are the methods of recovery. The history of the Chicago Tribune has been printed in every journal of the land, and the names of three or four of its staff have become familiar. For my part, I search every mail that comes in for a copy. I know it will soon be 316 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION — CHICAGO. forthcoming, and that we shall have its every characteristic, freely examined and described. The electric telegraph is freely used in connection with the Chicago intelligence. The Cuhards and other steamers are boarded, and the contents of the latest papers are put on the wires without much abridgment. It was the Silesian that brought us the first long despatches. She arrived at Plymouth, from which port the news is republished, but in this instance an exception was made. The haste with which the New York press printed the early details sent from your city prevented even an ordinary dis crimination from being exercised, and English read ers, accustomed, I am bound to say, to more exact itude and accuracy, axe puzzled to find so much that is stated contradicted a little further down. The illustrated papers were sorely tempted, and some of them " fell." We had pictures last week in two of the papers, of Chicago on fire, and this week the Illustrated London News supplies a cartoon of the kind. It is scarcely possible that, even at this com paratively late period, any genuine artistic reproduc tion can have come to hand. If the idea once gets bruited around that the cartoons in the illustrated papers are drawn from imagination, they will suffer in material fortune as well as in fame. As soon as order is restored the authorities at Chicago will, no doubt, send some report to the people here of the mischief done and the means that have been taken to remedy it. I will suggest that this be transmitted to the Lord Mayor of Lon- ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 317 don. The Lord Mayor, like the Sovereign, never dies. The present gentleman, under whose care the Chicago fund was established, retires into private life next week. But it is to the Lord Mayor the people will look, whoever that gentleman may happen to be. I may say that the despatches of ac knowledgment already transmitted by the Mayor of Chicago are deemed most touching and appropriate. People shed tears on reading them, so strong are the feelings aroused. The Queen's donation was made with expressions which reveal her truly fine and sympathetic nature. The Queen reads every line from Chicago that is printed in the papers, and I am sure she will be gratified if she is made to know that the republicans of the Far West give her credit for recognizing a common human life. I am jealous of Chicago at this particular crisis of her history. I want nothing to escape her that can be laid hold of by the envious and by the misanthro pic. She has been made famous alike by her pros perity and by her adversity. Let all her public acts be governed by high aims, and let the official com munications with European friends be made by men who are distinguished by delicate taste as well as by good judgment. Something is thought in such circumstances even, of phrases. Your readers would smile in the midst of their trouble could they peruse some of the curious re flections to which the peculiar calamity at Chicago has given rise. The " unco' guid" see in it a judg ment by Heaven, imagining that those upon whom a..11 318 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO. this " Tower of Siloam" fell were worse than the rest of the world. Others account for it by engi neering defects—blunders in building—downright recklessness. Some of the philosophic class, who look at all these things through the most powerful microscope their faculties supply, propound a lazy kind of theory that Chicago was proceeding too ra pidly altogether to be safe. She existed in fact, through friction ! As to the future, the sort of pre dictions uttered and written concerning you are amazing. The general belief appears to be that you are to be rebuilt—in striking contrast to the origin of Rome—" in a day." In ruins yesterday—stately marble to-day. Jonah's gourd was nothing to it. You are credited with superhuman powers, and the English public will be sadly disappointed if they don't hear very soon that " not a trace of the late calamitous fire is to be seen." Letter from S. H. Gay. Mr. Sidney Howard Gay, who speaks from actual personal knowledge, and from thorough acquaint ance with the workings of the Relief Society, has written a letter to the New York Tribune, from which we make this extract, as it shows very clearly what the society has done, and is from the pen of one in a position to know of what he writes. After alluding to the fire, and the number of people left homeless, Mr. Gay says : "Of this 100,000 people, 20,000 probably left ITS PAST, PEESENT AND FUTURE. 319 the city in the course of a few days. The Trans portation Committee alone has issued passes to 7,000, which the different railroads have duly honored; the railroad officers have passed many more of their own motion, and a large number have gone out of town, in various other ways than by rail, to the towns and country round about. Then 15,000 more, perhaps, found refuge with friends in the city, or could command the means to establish themselves in some sort of an abiding-place of their own. But making thus all possible deductions, there would remain from 60,000 to 70,000 persons, absolutely destitute of everything, to be fed, and clothed, and sheltered, and, indeed, now—more than a month after the fire, and when a large decrease has been made, from various causes, in the number of those who cannot take care of them selves—there stand recorded upon the books of the Relief Society 13,000 families who need to be sup ported wholly or in part. It is not likely that they average much less than five to a family, and that would give about 60,000 as the number who have to be looked after daily by the Relief Committee. Tt is a complicated business to care for an army of 60,000 men, duly mustered and in quarters, its command divided and subdivided, so that each man is under the immediate and personal supervision of a superior officer, its Commissary Department fully provided for, its whole machinery thoroughly syste matized and in perfect running order, with all its traditions and regulations and checks and balances 320 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: as accurately adjusted as in an eight-cylinder print ing press and a first-class steam-engine. Given first this great and perfected machinery, and given then the men who are accustomed by long habit to run it, and your army of 60,000 men goes on smoothly enough, provided every man is careful and diligent in his special duty, provided no screw gets loose anywhere, and no hitch occurs anywhere from the Commissary General down to the drummer-boy's rations. But conceive of an army of 60,000 to be composed, not of marshalled, organized, and trained men, where there is a place for every man and every man knows his place, but of men and women and children, without organization or cohesion, huddled together in extremity of distress, weary, hungry, houseless, naked, cold, and in despair, and the problem is how to feed and clothe and shelter them—a problem to be solved instantly or they per ish—not to be ciphered out at leisure with time enough to devise plans and appoint officers of tens and of hundreds of thousands, to provide material and places, to divide and subdivide work and duties —but the whole thing to be taken in a lump then and there, and then and there done before sun down. Conceive of this, and you have an idea of the work that was hurled at the Relief Society ; of the chaos out of which they had to evolve order ; of the prayer for salvation which came from those tens of thousands of pleading eyes, and those tens of thousands of outstretched hands. They did what they could; it is wonderful they did so well; none ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 321 but that Power which said, ' Let there be light, and there was light,' out of such darkness could have commanded the perfect day. " It was fortunate for Chicago that it had such an organization as this Relief and Aid Society. It has been in existence nine or ten years, has taken upon itself, during all that time, the care of such of the poor of the city as were not absolute paupers, and has been managed by picked men from among its lawyers, physicians, clergymen, and merchants. As in all such cases, the work had devolved upon a few, but those were men who, voluntarily, and from conscientious and benevolent motives, took this work of charity upon themselves, and reduced it to a system of scientific accuracy. On Monday, the 9th of October, in the first confusion of that dire disaster, and when the city was like the first resting-place of a routed and fugitive army, with no water save that dipped from the lake by hand; no gas in streets or houses; a third of the people without food, or shelter, or clothing; that pitiless south west gale unabated in its fury, and over all that fierce glow of the smouldering fires, shedding down upon us a lurid light from a brazen sky, like a moonlight red with blood—then we turned for suc cor where we could. The first generous supgh'es of provisions, and clothing, and money, that poured in from all sections of the country were used with out discrimination or judgment, and, though they relieved much suffering, where relief could hardly go amiss, there was enormous and lavish waste, as 322 THE GEEAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: well as cruel, selfish greed. And in another sense, also, we were like a defeated army flying, with all the people round about, before a relentless enemy, for the birds of prey scented death and disaster, and gathered for the feast, and filled the air with their clamor. Here were millions of money coming, and thousands upon thousands to be dependent upon bounty, and disbursements to be made which, both as to those who made and those who received them, would be a fruitful source of power and of profit. The November election was only a month away, and to the foul brood of city politicians, it seemed that their father, the Devil, had come in just the nick of time to their assistance. A Board of Alder men, a majority of which has aspired to be the Tarn any of Chicago, and so far as it has failed, has failed for want of opportunity and ability, and not because of any fear of either God or man, counted now upon retaining place and putting their enemies under their feet, with the personal and pecuniary power which the handling of the relief fund and provisions in kind would give them. For the first three days, from Tuesday to Friday, the danger was that affairs would fall completely into the hands of this class of political bummers, and the struggle thof made to retain their hold upon them was as desperate as the clutch of death. " It was the crisis in the fate of Chicago. Whether it should ever recover from the terrible calamity that had swept over it, or whether the ruin should be utter and irrevocable, depended altogether upon MICHIGAN SOUTHERN R. R. DEPOT. PALMEH HOUSE, STATE STREET. Ill 111« ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 325 the character of the men into whose hands should fall the essential government of the city at this mo ment. That essential government would rest with those into whose control should come the care of the needy and suffering ; who should keep them in a condition for wholesome labor, and should provide it for them ; should keep away from them all temp tation to desperate remedies for desperate circum stances ; and who should use wisely and economi cally the generous bounty in provisions and money which was pouring in from every quarter. Of that rich fund we should, without doubt, have seen the end ere this, had things gone on as they begun, and the laboring people of Chicago, instead of being cheerfully at work at good wages, would have been at this moment a starving, discontented, turbulent population, feeling that they were defrauded of that which an overwhelming sympathy for suffer ing had given for their relief, that a gang of thiev ing politicians might carry out their purposes in attaining or keeping political power, and grow rich upon the sustenance of the poor. But, fortunately, the Mayor of Chicago was a man of common sense, who would not give up to pnrty what was meant for humanity. He recognized the distinction that the succor sent to Chicago was sent to the people, and not to the municipality ; that it no more fell by necessity and right under the control of the Board of Aldermen or the Common Council than under that of the Board of Trade, but that it ought to go where there was the best assurance that it would 19 326 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION—CHICAGO: be used for the purposes for which it was given,' and where those who gave it would have some con fidence that it would be so used. By timely procla mation, therefore, three days after the fire, but when time enough had elapsed to justify the wis dom and necessity of the step, Mayor Mason handed over the whole business of the care of the needy and the custody of everything bestowed on their behalf to the Relief and Aid Society. The 'Ring' did not submit to this decision without a desperate struggle ; but fortunately the Executive Committee of the society were not only men of high standing in this community, but men of firmness and quick decision. Accepting the great trust imposed upon them, they entered instantly and vigorously upon the great work before them, heedless of partisan clamor, deaf alike to threats and offers of compro mise. In three days the question was settled, and the almoners of the largest beneficence that the world, perhaps,1 has ever seen for a purely humane purpose, sat in perpetual session at Standard Hall, organizing and carrying out a system of relief and aid for this stricken people, so that not a dollar should be wasted or unaccounted for, and not one in this great multitude of sufferers should go hun gry, or unclothed, or without shelter. There are, no doubt, here, as there would be everywhere un der like circumstances, other men who, from like motives and with like ability and integrity, would have discharged the responsibilities of such a trust ; but it is no more than common justice to say that ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 327 every one of these men gives his invaluable services at great sacrifice of his personal affairs, and it is simply an obvious reflection to add that it was most fortunate for Chicago that such a body of men was already picked and chosen, ready and willing for so sudden and so urgent an emergency. The Resumption of Business. The following table will illustrate how quickly this city resumed its ordinary business, even with the want of depot facilities by many railroads. We give two days' buisness one month after the fire, and one two weeks later, compared with the busi ness of the corresponding days of the preceding year: Receipts and Shipments during 48 hours, Nov. 1th and 8th 1870, and Nov. 1th and 8lh, 1871. Flour, bbls., . . Wheat, bushels, . Corn, bushels, . Oats, bushels, . Rye, bushels, . . Barley, bushels, . Grass seed, Ibs., . Flax seed, Ibs., . Broom corn, Ibs , Cut meats, Ibs., . Beef, bbls., . Pork, bbls., Lard, tes., . Tallow, Ibs., . . Butter, Ibs., . . 1870. 12,826 135,515 247,730 53,758 28,616 32,400 124,838 30,000 373,100 146,230 2,870 16 74,520 16,514 126,010 1871. 11,443 128,300 68,100 37,016 5,333 14,940 3ï,(î6§ 3,686 209,869 43,520 389 f • > • 48,490 107,490 1870. 6,596 123,955 158,185 136,273 18,872 63,192 50,919 21,380 54,900 278,694 2,013 1,285 287,764 f 71,637 1871. 15,088 58,521 89,874 35,562 5,895 19,734 51,410 196,871 471,779 7,602 670 280,020 30,980 CONFLAGRATION — CHICAGO : 1870. 5,275 1,971 625 184,056 867 268,675 9,397 14,616 8,283 493 12,135 1871. 5,182 904 373,872 508 56,266 15,460 15,273 3,957 553 28,865 1870. 5,182 904 165,226 238 38,878 . . . 3,007 2,427 416 1,718 1871. 381 1,467 394 215,180 750 144,890 3,012 4,225 4,190 490 . 3,625 Live hogs, No., . Cattle, No., . . Sheep, No., . . Hides, Ibs., . . High wines, bbs., Wool, Ibs., . . Potatoes, bushels Lumber, M., . . Shingles, M., , Lath, M., . . . Salt, bbls., Receipts and Shipments for the weeks ending Nov. llth and Nov. 18th, 1871. Compared with corresponding week in 1870. Flour, bbls., . . Wheat, bushels, . Corn, bushels, Oats, bushels, Rye, bushels, . Barley bushels . Dressed hogs, No., Live hogs, No., . Cattle, head., . Flour, bbls., . . Wheat, bushels, . Corn, bushels,. . Oats, bushels, . . Rye, bushels, . Barley, bushels, . Dressed hogs, No., Live hogs, No., . Cattle, head, . . RECEIPTS. Nov. 18, 1871. Nov. 11, 1871. 28,586 222,345 846,549 349,382 19,991 61,450 71 102.544 13,652 SHIPMENTS. 17,499 146,639 777,953 450,649 42,468 72,980 27,566 4,728 35,272 390,538 817,904 270,367 26,474 87,530 26 56,036 10,051 19,156 413,909 547,634 473,134 37,570 108,726 26,570 3,498 Nov. 19, 1870 36,050 310,570 291,688 136,559 22,539 41,630 453 65,726 12,597 38,966 549,286 296,388 178,767 51,114 15,750 20,131 5,207 THE NEW CHICAGO. FROM the wreck and ruin of this great calamity, there is no one who questions the restoration and continued growth of Chicago. The first issue of each of her papers proclaimed, as its motto, RESUR- GAM. That was the universal sentiment. In three days after the fire there was no one selfish enough to complain of his individual losses, nor any one weak enough to doubt the reconstruction, and on a grander scale, of this great marvel of the world. Chicago has hitherto attained a world-wide fame as the greatest grain market of the world, and to thou sands in the United States even, it is supposed that that is the great business which sustains her. A year or more ago the project of shipping grain to the At lantic by means of barges on the Mississippi river, and by rail, was for a time seriously considered, and so strongly was the impression that Chicago owed all she had to that trade, and depended on that for a continuance, that a Cincinnati paper seriously pro pounded the question, " What, then, is the future use of Chicago 1 " That this grain trade has been of immense conse quence, and that it was the original means of build- !ng up the immense commerce that is done here, is true, but the grain trade itself is a consequence of the natural location of Chicago. The railroads (329) 330 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: worked a revolution in the transportation business. First the passengers and soon the freight abandoned the slower means of wagon and boat, for the speedier transit of the rail. Nevertheless, water transportation is cheaper than rail, and cost of trans portation is the important item in the value of grain. Each penny added to, or taken from the cost of moving grain from the farm to New York, is a penny taken from, or added to, the value of the grain in the producer's hands. It soon became an ascer tained fact, that it was as cheap to send grain to Chicago, by rail as to haul it to any town on a water course. Here it had cheap water navigation direct to New York by lake and canal. The grain came to Chicago, because Chicago was the only point where it could find a market large enough to receive all that was sent, and with facilities for shipping it to the East at comparatively small cost. The fact of this great market at the head of lake navigation has been of immense value in the filling up of the Northwest. Every man in selecting a location in the West estimates the value of his land, and of its products, by computing the distance to Chicago, and the rates of transportation. .In this way the West has grown up around Chicago, and each additional mile of railway laid down towards Arkansas, Kansas, New Mexico, and the territories round to the ex treme north, but brings within the circle of her tri butaries, additional fields of production, additional people for whom she is to be the great market of sale ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 331 and supply. The Pacific railway already constructed, and the others to follow, are but enlargements of the means by which this city is tb extend her commerce. The St. Lawrence, so long neglected, will, as a route for ocean commerce, at last, fill the expectations of its early explorer, Champlain. The increase in the transportation of grain to the seaboard by rail, has given cause" to many forebodings that the business will eventually pass away from the lakes, and be done by railway from local points where grain can be accumulated. So long as grain can be delivered cheaper by water than by rail, and the time is not too long, the cheaper route will be maintained. An enlargement of the Erie canal to meet the enlarged demand for transportation, the use of steam exclusively on the lake and on the canal, and a repeal of the extortionate rates of toll, will keep pace with an increase of railroad move ment of grain. When, however, the St. Lawrence shall be adapted to the use of steam propellers of large capacity to and from Montreal, then Montreal, arid not New York, will regulate the price, and water transportation to Montreal will approximate in time to that of rail to New York, at one-half the cost. The position of Chicago marks it as the great centre of distribution. Hence the Northwest is supplied with all it needs. The whole range of manufactures, domestic or imported, must find their market here. The Northwe'st is teeming with 332 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: woollen mills, but their goods must be sold here, as all those of New England are sold at Boston and New York. Chicago, as a distributing point, has the advantage over these points, that it furnishes direct to the consumers. It is in the centre of the increasing population. A thousand cities are rap idly growing up within twelve hours' travel. These are, commercially speaking, suburbs and work shops of Chicago. They manufacture ; ^hey buy material ; they sell to consumers ; but the seat of all this commerce is in the city of Chicago. Their growth is her growth. As they grow with the rapid settlement and increasing products of the districts around them, so Chicago grows with the increase of these numerous cities. She is the commercial agent of the West—she has States and cities for her constituencies. The grain trade, however, has long since ceased to be the supreme or principal item in her com merce. It is, of course, immense, and is forever growing. But there are other things equally prom ising, and the city is not dependent upon a good crop for business. Manufactures are coming to the West. The man who pays out of his corn the cost of sending it to market, and of bringing back the exchange goods, knows the value of distance as well as time. Within reasonable distance of Chi cago are inexhaustible beds of coal. The coal fields of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois have been more developed by Chicago capital and enterprise within ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 333 the last five years, than they had ever been before. Large portions of this coal are specially adapted for the manufacture of iron. Upon Lake Superior are the inexhaustible deposits of iron ore, far richer in yield than any other in the land. Chicago stands midway between these coal fields and this ore, and whether the ore be carried to the coal, or the coal to the iron ore, or both be brought to Chicago, there to be converted into merchantable iron, the result is the same, that Chicago, in a very few years, will be the great distributing point from which the whole West will be supplied with its Rolling mills and furnaces have already iron. been put in operation, but when the artificial restraints upon the consumption of iron shall be removed, and each man be free to use more iron, and have it at less cost, these iron furnaces and mills, and all the forges and machine shops, steel and cutlery establishments, and all other manufac tures using iron to any extent, will gather in and around this grand centre, all adding their contri bution to the ever growing, ever extending volume of Chicago's trade and commerce. With these additions to her industry of course comes the wealth and power of population. The tables of population in June, 1811 showed a total of 3ö2,000. M first it was supposed the fire would retard the increase which had hitherto marked the history of the city ; but this is a delusion ; in thirty days after the fire there .were as many men at work I! *- 334 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION—CHICAGO: as there were before that event. A demand was cre ated for extraordinary numbers of skilled workmen. Masons, carpenters, plumbers, painters, furniture makers, and all other mechanical trades have come hither in large numbers, but for years the supply will not equal the demand. There is not a work shop where iron and machinery is fashioned that has not been working day and night continuously since the fire, nor will they, or any of the additional ones to be put in operation at once, have any cessa tion of business for the next five years. By that time the old Chicago will have been forgotten in the proportions of the new. With a population in 1876 of not less than half a million of people, and possibly many thousands more, with the burnt dis tricts all restored, but this time in solid masonry; with the buildings now standing all replaced with buildings of a new architecture, and of durable' materials, she will be the great market in which twenty five millions of people will buy and sell, and from which will be distributed the supplies of ex change products. With her trunk railroads extend ing directly to every point of the Atlantic coast; from Portland to Galveston; with her water com munication direct to Europe, retaining her charac ter as the granary of the continent, and seated in the very heart of population, she will draw trade and commerce from all sections, and be the great heart sending forth life blood to every extremity of the American empire. ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 335 The city itself will be grand. Even in her com parative infancy precautions have been taken for the future. She has already purchased and in pre paration a series of parks and boulevards, the di mensions of which have been given, which will be unequalled in their extent, beauty, and natural location, by anything of that kind on this conti nent. The Chicago of 1870-71 planned and bought these parks and boulevards. Their completion may be delayed a few years, by the sudden calamity of the great fire, but there are men already past middle age, who will see this grand system of improve ment, so extensively carried out as_to be one of the great objects of interest in the great republic. The fire swept through the city while the people were considering the propriety of erecting a free public library.' The fire settled that question and in the affirmative. Every public library, with few exceptions ; every private library of any pretensions in the city, was destroyed. The next library will be a public one, and a free one, and on a scale worthy of a great city, as this is to be. Intimately connected with this plan is that of a school of practical science, which will have all the advantages of the most approved models in Europe, without their defects. Such schools, embracing the widest range of utility, are destined, under the support of an intensely practical people, to become here in Chicago the great educators of the future men of the country. The men who are to-day excavating the debris of the Chicago of 1871, are but clearing the ground, and 336 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: repairing the foundations on which is to be built the great city of Chicago, the seat of commercial arid manufacturing industry of the continent, the home, within this century, of a larger population than has ever been attained by an American city, and distinguished by the adornments, wealth, power, and public institutions which are incidental to a people whom no reverses can depress, to whom suc- cesa is but an incentive to still greater effort. Rebuilding Chicago. Nature, since the memorable day of wrath on which Chicago was left half in ruins, has smiled upon the city, and the work of reconstruction has gone earnestly on, aided by the beautiful hazy weather peculiar to the Northwest, and known as the Indian Summer; but, recently a snow storm came on suddenly, and the heaps of debris and the half-built walls were covered with snow-heaps that seem to defy further progress. The snow, however, has merely impeded, not stopped the work of rebuild ing; for everywhere is heard the clink of trowel and the stroke of hammer. Owners, contemplating round rents, are anxious to have their buildings up ; and mechanics, in the enjoyment of wages which two months ago would have been thought fabulous, are quite superior to all meteorological inconveni ences. If any one thinks that Chicago has lost her population, and with it her enterprise, he should ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTUKE. 337 stand upon Madison, Randolph, or Lake street bridges at dusk, and watch the myriads of laborers and mechanics that, having finished their day's work in the ruins, crowd over those structures to their homes in the West Division. So innumerable are they that they seem to rise from the brick heaps like coveys of wild fowl. It is gratifying to know that these men are toiling not only to rebuild Chi cago, but, under skilful direction, and backed by shrewd capitalists, to rebuild it of marble. The foundations that they are laying are broad and deep, and the superstructures that are to rise upon them will be massive and magnificent. There is earnest promise of this in nearly all that in the way of re building has already been done ; and builders who propose to await the spring's coming before laying their foundations, do so that they may form their plans on the same magnificent scale. The work of removing debris was and continues to be one of appalling proportions. Notwithstand ing that the teaming facilities of the city are large, and that these are reinforced by farmers, who drive in from a circuit of 150 miles, yet the demand far exceeds the supply. Teamsters and their wagons receive aboiit $6 a day. Potter Palmer, d.esirous of at once commencing work on the re-erection of the magnificent store which was occupied by Field & Leiter, sought to contract for the removal of the de bris. The lowest bid he could obtain was $5,000, but, rather than pay this extraordinary sum for work which ordinarily would be performed for 338 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION—CHICAGO: $1,000 at the utmost, he set to work himself, and is rapidly accomplishing the removal. Palmer, though a millionnaire, is, when he wishes to be, an earnest worker. He watched the construction of this very building from foundation stone to turret, was prouder of it than of any of his palatial structures, and means that it shall, under his own eye, rise to greater than its old proportions. Fortunately the basin, which is formed on the lake shore, by the outlying track and break-water of the Illinois Central Railroad, afforded a conveni ent dumping place for the immense quantities of rubbish taken from the ruins. If some such place were not afforded, the expense attending the re moval would be increased incalculably. This rub bish, though worthless in itself, is of great value to the city, since it is making land for the city at the rate of .f 1,000 a day. The basin, and the adjoining land, which is known as the lake front, is nearly a mile in length, and in some places is three hundred feet in depth. Under existing laws it can be used for no other than park purposes, and, before the fire, was undergoing improvement as a park. The exigency, however, authorized the Board of Public Works to convert it, temporarily, to business pur poses, and now down its entire length, rearing their pine fronts on Michigan avenue, is a row of'tempo rary buildings, devoted mainly to the wholesale trade. Leases have been made for one year, at thé expiration of which the buildings are to be removed. The rental was fixed at $500 for every twenty-five ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 339 feet, but many of the merchants, on what principle of equity it is impossible to imagine, are of the opinion that the city will never enforce the collec tion of the rent. It is estimated by competent per sons that in the course of time, with the accretions made in the manner described, the land may be sold (die needed authorization having of course been obtained) for a sum equal to the city debt, which is now, in round numbers, $ 18,000,000. The railway companies which had their depot at the foot of Lake street, the Illinois Central, the Michigan Central, and the Burlington and Quincy, are, and have long been desirous of extending their depot facilities, and for this purpose have sought to acquire the fee to three blocks of the lake front. The Legislature sold these blocks to the companies some years since for $800,000, which sum they were to pay the city, which was to apply it to park purposes. The pay ment was made, but before the companies obtained possession certain property holders who owned land abutting on Michigan avenue, and who claimed cer tain rights in the lake front, the most prominent of these rights being an easement, brought the matter into chancery, where it now languishes. The Work of Rebuilding. Wonderful as were the manifestations of the fire, the energy with which the business men of Chicago set about the work of rebuilding was even more wonderful. At first business sought a place for 340 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO. itself in temporary wooden shanties hastily thrown together. Once housed, merchants then commenced the permanent work. Within six weeks after the tragedy^ closed, many of the most enterprising and courageous were actively reconstructing two hun dred and twelve permanent brick and stone build ings in the burned district of the South Division alone, covering a total street frontage of 17,715 feet, or 3^ miles. The fact seems almost incredible when it is considered what an amount of brick, stone and iron has had to be removed, also the sudden . advance in price of all kinds of building material, and the coldness and general unfavorableness of the weather for out-door operations. The general ap pearance of the new Chicago will be greatly changed. It is the almost unanimous determination of build ers to secure massiveness and solirlity at the expense of ornamentation. With few exceptions the walls are of the straw colored brick, the fronts of red pressed brick, the trimmings of stone and iron, and the cornices principally of brick. It is safe to say that there will be no more eight inch walls in Chi cago. Sixteen and twenty inches will be the rule ; and where timber is used at all, it will be excessively- heavy. The 212 buildings referred to are already commenced. Next spring Chicago will be a busy hive of labor, as the architects' books are literally crammed with orders for new and elegant buildings, some of them of the most magnificent description. The buildings spoken of, are located as follows : FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. ISOUTH SICE.) ST. JAMES' CHURCH. (EPISCOPAL.) ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 343 River street, . . . South Water street, Lake street, . . . Randolph street,. . Washington street,. Madison street, . Monroe street, Adams street, Quincy street, Jackson street, . Van Buren street, Harrison street, . Polk street, . . Michigan avenue, Wabash avenue, . State street, . . Dearborn street, Clark street, . . La Salle street, Fifth avenue, . . Franklin street, Market street, Miscellaneous, Total, 1 12 10 6 6 29 26 2 1 1 1 2 1 8 17 24 6 16 4 6 9 3 21 212 The Future. Said the Missouri Republican :—" Chicago, though stricken in purse and person as no other city recorded in history ever has been, is not crushed out and destroyed, and her complete restoration to the place and power from which she is temporarily removed is only a question of time. It would be sad, indeed, if a conflagration, though swallowing up the last 20 344 THE GREAT CONÍLAGBATION—CHICAGO: ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 345 house and the last dollar of a great commercial metropolis, could fix the seal of perpetual annihila tion upon it, and declare that the wealth and pros perity which were once should exist no more for ever. Such might be the case, perhaps, were there none other save human forces at work ; but into the composition of such a city as that which the demon of fire has conquered, enter the forces and necessi ties of nature. Chicago did not become what she was, simply because shrewd capitalists and energetic business men so ordained it. That mighty Agent, who fashions suns and stars, and swings them aloft in the boundless ocean of space, marks out by immu table decree the channels along which population and trade must flow. When the first settlers landed at Jamestown and Plymouth, and began to hew a path for civilization through the primeval forest, it was as certain as the law of gravitation, that if this continent were destined to be a new empire, fit to receive the surplus millions of the eastern hemis phere, and contribute to the progress and enlighten ment of mankind everywhere, there must and would be a few prominent centres, so to speak, around which the vast machine could revolve. Those cen tres were determined by geography and topography of the country ; and when the advancing tide of immigration touched them they began to develop as naturally and irresistibly as the flower does beneath the genial influences of sunshine and showers. For practical purposes neither Jamestown nor Plymouth were of any special consequence; therefore the one has ceased to exist altogether, and the other remains an insignificant town. But the inner shore of Boston harbor, the island of Man hattan, the site of Philadelphia, Baltimore, Cin cinnati, New Orleans, St. Louis, and San Francisco, furnished the required facilities, and we see the result to-day. Nature declares where great cities shall he built, and man simply obeys the orders of Nature. "The spot where Chicago river empties into Lake Michigan belongs to the same category as those we have mentioned. It was designed and intended for the location of a grand mart to supply the wants of the extreme Northwest—that portion of the central plateau lying on the line and to the north of the Union Pacific Railway, and the west ern part of the British possessions. The trade from these sections seeks an outlet there,-and finds it better and more available than anywhere else. This fact was settled before the first brick was laid in Chicago; was settled when Chicago rose to the rank of the fifth city in the republic, and is settled just as firmly now, when, to all human appearances, her destruction is well nigh accomplished. "Natural advantages, then, must compel the re construction of Chicago, even though every foot of its soil passes out of the hands of the present pro prietors. And if we examine what the fire has spared, it will be found that the nucleus of a new and rapid growth is not wanting. Not more than twenty per cent, of the lumber supply has been con- if'I,. 346 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION—CHICAGO: sumed, thus affording ample material for building ; the largest elevator and perhaps one or two of the smaller ones are safe; the stock yards are uninjured, and with these avenues for business open, business itself is sure to come speedily. Indeed, it is an nounced that several vessels received full loads of wheat from the elevators as early as Wednesday, and departed on their accustomed voyages to Eastern ports. There is also good reason to believe that at least one-half the insurance will be paid, and as this cannot be much less than $100,000,000, money will not be lacking. If we add to these resources the railway lines converging to that point, which repre sent an aggregate capital of $300,000,000, and remember that every railway is directly interested in the process of reconstruction, and will aid it in all possible ways, it may not be difficult for even the most incredulous to see why and how Chicago must grow again. That she is absolutely ruined or per manently disabled is a sheer impossibility which no sensible person will for a moment credit. ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 347 EMINENT CITIZENS OF CHICAGO, As samples of the class of men who built up and gave character to the great city now in the struggle of rebuilding, after an almost total destruction of its material structure, biographical sketches of a few of the leading citizens are here inserted. Charles Tóbey Was born in 1831, in Denis, Cape Cod, and is one of the most prominent manufacturers of the West. In 1855 he entered Chicago without a friend there, or even a letter of introduction. He, however, soon obtained a clerkship, and in 1856, with a $500 loan 'from a friend at Boston, he began business on his own account, and succeeded beyond the most sanguine expectations. He is a man of business, promptness, efficiency, positiveness, enterprise, and indomitable persever ance, and his success in life, according to all ac counts, is amply deserved. John Van Osdel. Among the men who have risen with Chicago, contributing to its wonderful greatness, is Mr. John Van Osdel, a native of Baltimore. He was born in 1811, his father being a car penter. He was the pioneer of the famous grain elevators 348 THE GREAT FIRES OF THE WORLD. f of New York. Then, after engaging for a time in the iron foundry and machinery business, he re turned to his early choice of architect. Kecognized as the best in the city, his employment increased with the city's growth, and he accumulated a large fortune. From his early struggles, his energy and readiness, his zeal in self-education, he well deserves the posi tion he has attained. Philip A. Hoyne. Mr. Hoyne was born in New York, in 1824, and when he was thirteen he entered a book-bindery. In 1841 he settled in Chicago, and commenced the practice of law. Becoming tired of that pro fession, he went to Galena, where he remained ten years. He then returned to Chicago, and is now United States Commissioner for the Northern Dis trict of Illinois. His impartiality and critical acu men have made the name of Commissioner Hoyne very popular. Eon. Digly JV. Bell. The Hon. Digby N. Bell was born in 1804, and commenced his active life as a sailor. Soon tiring of that drudgery, he went with his young family and settled in Michigan. After farming awhile, he set tled, in 1851, in Chicago, and established there the first Commercial College in Illinois. He has de- ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 349 voted the latter years of his life in advancing the cause of education. Hon. Isaac JV. Arnold. This eminent merchant of Chicago was born in Hartwick, Otsego, county, New York, November 30th, 1815. His parents were natives of Eh ode Island, whence they emigrated to New York in 1800. At the age of fifteen he was thrown wholly upon his own resources. He resolved to become a law yer, and in 1^36 he removed to Chicago, at that time a mere village. He has since filled the posi tion of City Clerk, State Senator, and finally mem ber of Congress. He was the intimate friend of President Lincoln, of whom he wrote a life. Thomas Church. Thomas Church was, born in Onondaga, New York, November 8th, 1801. His early life was a hard one ; and one of his first expeiiences was earning six and a quarter cents for a day's labor in picking stones. Become a man, his first idea was to farm, but he afterward took to commerce. In 1834 he removed to Chicago, built a house, and opened a store. His business steadily increased, and in 1840 he took Mr. M. Salterlee into partner ship, their stock consisting of groceries, paints, oils, and domestic dry goods. In 1848 he began his I • 350 THE GEEAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: real estate transactions and built largely. He has been one of the busiest of men, and is president of the Chicago Firemen's Insurance Company. Col. George B. Armstrong. Col. Armstrong was born in Ireland, in 1822. When he was quite a child his parents emigrated to the United States, and settled at Newark, New Jersey. In 1833 the family went to Virginia, and the succeeding year settled in Baltimore. In 1854, young Armstrong went to Chicago, where, four years afjterwards, he inaugurated a new system of distributing letters. In 1864 he was authorized by the post office to test his system, and he has now made it a grand success. James H. Bowen. The subject of this brief sketch was born in 1822, in New York State, his father being a car penter. In 1836 he left home to become a clerk, and in 1839 he removed to Little Falls, New York. In 1842 he was elected secretary and treasurer of a large commercial company. In 1857 he settled in Chicago, and with his two brothers started the firm of Bowen Brothers, which soon became one of the foremost even in that city of mammoth concerns. ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 351 John Y- Farwell Was born in 1827 in Steuben county, New York. In the spring of Ib55 he worked his passage, on a load of wheat, to Chicago, and set his foot in that city with three dollars and twenty-five cents capital. He obtained a situation in a dry goods house, stead ily progressed therein until he became partner, and soon, by his energy, the firm was doing the vast business of ten million dollars per year. He founded, and in a measure sustained, the Illin ois Street Mission for Outcast Children, and has been an earnest friend and associate of the Young Men's Christian Association, and is still in the prime of life. Wm. F. Coolbaugh Is a native of Pike County, Pennsylvania, and was born in 1821. He began business in 1842, at Burlington, Iowa. He has long occupied a leading position in the State-Legislature, and as a financier stands deserv edly high. In 1862 he removed to Chicago, and started a banking house, afterward the Union National Bank, and he soon became President of the National Bank ers' Association for the West and Southwest. These positions show conclusively how Mr. Coolbaugh is regarded in the Great West. 302 THE GREAT CONFLAGEATION—CHICAGO: Wm. Heath By ford. Mr. Byford first saw the light in Eaton, Ohio, on March 20th, 1817, and at the age of twenty he placed himself under the guidance and guardianship of Doctor Joseph Maddox, of Vincennes, Indiana; commencing practice on his own account at Owens- ville in 1838, and obtaining a regular diploma from the Ohio College in 1845 He has filled many important public positions, and is widely known as an author of many learned medical works. With the burden of fifty years upon him, Doctor Byford is still stalwart, erect in person, and as vigor ous as ever. F. G. Welch. F. G. Welch was born in Ohio, 1833. After various mercantile experiences in Colorado, San Francisco, and other towns, he emigrated, in 1863, to Chicago. His success has been great. He is the editor of the Farmer's Friend of that city, and has recently established the Merchants' and Com mercial Travellers' Association. Samuel Hoard. This energetic man was born at Westminster, Mass., May 20th, 1800. Before he was six years of ITS PAST, PEESENT AND FUTUEE. 303 age both his parents died, and he then lived with relations, who gave him a good education. Com mencing the study of the law, he grew dissatisfied with his progress and entered a store as clerk. In 1833 he removed to Chicago and settled as farmer, but his active mind was not satisfied with agricul tural pursuits, and in 1840 he was appointed to take the State census for Cook county, Chicago, which then contained about 0,000 inhabitants. In 1842 he was elected State Senator, and was soon after appointed Clerk of the Circuit Court. In 1845 he formed a partnership with J. T. Edwards, the emi nent jeweler, and the firm soon became a great success. He was appointed by President Lincoln postmas ter of Chicago, which position he retained till Andy Johnson's accession. Julius Bauer. Among Western business men who have achieved success with no other capital than intelligence and perseverance, few are more deserving of notice than Julius Bauer, the musical instrument maker. Twenty-two years ago he landed in New York, a stranger in a strange land. He started in business in New York, afterward went to Philadelphia, and in 1857 caught the Chi cago fever, and started a branch house there, in the famous Crosby Opera Building. His business progressed at the usual prodigious 354 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: Western rate, and in' 186 2 he became the agent of William Knabe & Co., the piano manufacturers. By his energy, attention to business, and identifica tion with the real wants and interests of our people, Mr. Bauer is a fair type of the self-made man. •James H. Hoes. James H. Hoes left his father's home at the age of fourteen, and started on his life-task in the year 1835. He set out from Kinderhook, N. Y.—his native town—and went to Towanda on foot. Having decided to go into the jewelry business, he applied to the best watchmaker in the place for a situation, and after entreating him to give him an opportunity of learning the trade, James succeeded in getting employment. Through his industry and tact Mr. Hoes gained the good wishes and esteem of Mr. Langford, his employer. At the end of a year he offered to give him a share in the business, having already gradu ally promoted him to high positions. In 1840 they both prepared to remove to New York, and enter into business there, but as sickness prevented Mr. Langford from carrying out his plans, Hoes became superintendent of a concern at Os- wego and after going to Binghampton, where for two years he did business on his own account, he returned to Oswego and bought out Mr. Wilson, his former employer. ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 355 Young Mr. Hoes was thus, by his own unaided exertions, in possession of the finest establishment in that part of the country. Having married, and removed his business to Danville, he continued in his labors at that place for eight years, at the end of which time he resolved to try his fortune in the West. He went to Mil waukee, and from there to Chicago. He bought the stock of Hoard & Avery, and began business in the Garden City. Here, after a period of unex ampled success, he sold out, in 1867, to one of his former partners, and retired from active life to enjoy the fortune which he had so honorably accumulated. But absolute retirement soon proving impossible, he finally accepted the management of the Northwest ern Silverware Company. In social life Mr. Hoes has always been considered a just and charitable man. His circle of acquaintances, which comprise the most distinguished and honored citizens of Chicago, unite alike in their praise of his private and profes sional character. POEMS. FROM the great number of poems inspired by the great calamity we select the following, as among the best. The number of those published was well nigh legion, but only a small proportion of them were ever worthy to appear in print. Chicago. BY JOHN G. WHITTIER. Men said at vespers : All is well 1 In one wild night the city fell ; Fell shrines of prayer and marts of gain Before the fiery hurricane. On threescore spires had sunset shone, Where ghastly suurise looked on none ; Men clasped each other's hands, and said : The City of the West is dead ! Brave hearts who fought, in slow retreat, The fiends of fire from street to street, Turned, powerless, to the blinding glare, The dumb defiance of despair. A sudden impulse thrilled each wire That sigualed round that sea of fire ;— Swift words of cheer, warm heart-throbs came ; In tears of pity died the flame 1 (357) 358 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: From East, from West, from South and North, The messages of hope shot forth, And, underneath the severing wave, The world, full-handed, reached to save. Fair seemed the old ; but fairer still The new the dreary void shall fill, With dearer homes than those o'erthrown, For love shall lay each corner-stone. Rise, stricken city !—from thee throw The ashen sackcloth of thy woe ; And build, as Thebes to Amphion's strain, To songs of cheer thy walls again ! How shrivelled in thy hot distress The primal sin of selfishness ! How instant rose, to take thy part, The angel in the human heart ! Ah ! not in vain the flames that tossed Above thy dreadful holocaust ; The Christ again has preached through thee The Gospel of Humanity ! Then lift once more thy towers on high, And fret with spires the western sky, To tell that God is yet with us, And love is still miraculous ! • NEW ENGLAND CHURCH. (CONGREGATIONAL.) UNITY CHURCH. COR. COLLYER.) .1 THE SMITTEN CITY. 361 The Smitten City. BY GEORGE ALFRED TOWNSEND. I heard a parson of the school of Baalam Lift up the lesson of the flaming town, And, like a pedler in the will of Heaven, Show how its sins invoked the Sovereign frown. Thus the dead lion ever is insulted By asses' colts, whose pity is a blow, And fallen empires find their last misfortune In shallow platitudes from fool aud foe. Bright, Christian capital of lakes and prairie, Heaven had no interest in thy scourge and scath ; Thou wert the newest shrine of our religion, The youngest wituess of our hope ahd faith. Not In thy embers do we rake for folly, But like a martyr's ashes gather thee, With chastened pride and tender melancholy,— The miracle thou wast, and yet will be I Not merely in the homages of churches, Or bells of praise tolled o'er the inland seas,— Thou glorified our God aud human nature With meeter works and grander melodies. Of cheerful toil and willing enterprises, Of hearty faith in freedom and in man ; The lioar old capitals looked on in wonder To see the swift strong race this stripling ran. How like the sun he rose above the marshes, And built the world beneath his airy feet, And changed the course of immemorial rivers. And tapped the lakes for water cool and sweet. 21 362 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION—CHICAGO: How skilfully the golden grain transmuted To birds of sail and meteors of spark, And, like another Noah, bade creation March in the teeming mazes of his ark. Yet in his power, most frank and democratic, He ronsed no envious witness of his joy, And in the stature of the Prince and hero, We saw the laughing dimples of a boy. Still wise and apt among the oldest merchants, His young example steered the wary mart, And amplest credit poured its gold around him, And trade imperial gave scope for art. His architectures passed all heathen splendor, The immigrating Goth drew wandering near ; To see his shafts and arches tall and slender Branch o'er the new homes of this pioneer. The Greek and Roman there might see rebuilded In vastness equal and in style as pure, The merchants' markets like a palace gilded, With marble walls and deep entablature. His two score bridges swinging on their pivots, The long and laden line of vessels sped, While he, impatient, marched beneath the sluice, His hosts, like Cyrus, in the river's bed. Then, when all weak predictions proved but scandal, And the wild marshes grew a sovereign's home, A dozing cow o'erset an urchin's candle,— Once more a fool fired the Ephesian dome. The artless winds that blow o'er plains of cattle, And cooled the corn through all the summer days, Plunged like wild steeds in pastime or in battle, Straight in the blinding brightness of the blaze. THE SMITTEN CITY. 363 And down fell bridge, and parapet, and lintel, The blazing barques went drifting, one by one ; The mighty city wrapped its head in splendor, And sank into the waters like a sun 1 Oh ! thou, my master, champion of the people, TRIBUNE august, who o'er kept righteons court, Long after fire had toppled church and steeple. Thou stood'st amidst the ruins like a Tort. High and serene thy cornices extended, Though scorched by smoke and of the flame the prey, Above the vault where, grim and calm, and splendid, The sleeping lions of thy presses lay. Till looking round on the wondrous pity, Thyself alone erect, intact, upreared, Disdaining to outlive the glorious city, With innate heat transfigured, disappeared. Yet, from the grave Chicago's wondrous spirit Comes forth all brightness, o'er the darkened town, To say again : " Lo ! I am with you, brethren ; With all my thorns, I wear my civic crown. " To die is sweet embalmed in your compassion ; Your oil and wine make life in'«very rent. Oh ! let me lean a liitle while upon you, And walk to strength in yonr encouragement." CINCINNATI, October 13, 1871. 364 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——CHICAGO: Chicago- BY BEET HAETE. Blackened and pleading, helpless, panting, prone, On the charred fragments of her shattered throne, Lies she who stood but yesterday alone. i Queen of the West : by some enchanter taught, To lift the glory of Aladdin's court, Then lose the spell that all that wonder wrought. Like her own prairies by some chance seed sown, Like her own prairies in one brief day grown, Like her own prairies in one fierce night mown. She lifts her voice and in her pleading calls, We hear the cry of Macedón to Paul,. The cry for help that makes her kin to all. But happy with wan fingers may she feel, The silver cup hid in the proffered meal, The gifts her kinship and our loves reveal. October 10, 1871. , OUT OF THE ASHES. 365 Out of the Ashes. BY HOWAED OLYNDON. Oh ! fallen with the falling leaves, And level with the dust as they ! Thy beauty, City of the lake, Is but a thing of yesterday. Thou wondrous blossom of the West ! We were so passing proud of thee : " See," said we to the elder world, " How cities grow when men'are free." Thy senior sisters, looking on With dazed, half unbelieving eyes Saw thee, like Hercules of old, Swift into ripe estate arjse. And seeing thee so fair, how high The hearts of all thy children were ! We would not blame them if to-day They bowed their faces in despair ; Or, newly risen from troubled sleep, Stared, with uncomprehending eyes, On homesteads smouldering, black and bare, Beneath the mild October skies ; Where, here and there, but yesterday Towered up such sumptuous witnesses Of their devoted hearts and hands— God help them in this sore distress ! And saying this, the Nation takes These homeless children of the West Into her motherly embrace, And hides the homeless in her breast. 366 THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION—CHICAGO: Not houseless while our homes have room 1 Not homeless—all cur doors are wide 1 The welcome that we send to day Is tinctured with exulting pride. For who has heard one craven cry, Though thousands wander lorn and pale ? Oh ! strong young city, sorest tried, There's bravery even in thy wail To where thou sitt'st we bring the world, And show thy ruins, saying, " See I She is not broken, only bent ; For hearts are strong when men are free." PARIS AND CHICAGO. 367 Pans, and Chicago- (From the New York Evening Post.) O bird with a crimson wing And a brand in thy glowing beak, Why did'st thou flutter o'er seas to bring A woe that we dare not speak ? By the light of a flaming sword, Did the beautiful Queen of the East Behold the awful avenging word, And drink the blood of the feast. Her fires went out on the hearth, And the glory of Paris has fled ; Could her maddening wiles and unseemly mirth, Unstop the ears of the dead ! Did out of her ashes arise This bird with a flaming crest, That over the ocean unhindered flies, t With a scourge for the Queen of the West ? See homes at its bidding fall I At its flery fierce attack ! While.the fiends of the air hold carnival In the light of its lurid track. The joys that were held so dear, On the glow of its breath expire ; While treasures and palaces disappear, Consumed by its vengeful ire. Fly hence on thy wing of fia me, 0 bird ! fot thy work is done ; And the queens of a different clime and name In their ruin and grief are one. THE NOBTHWESTEKN FIEES. THE GREAT CONFLAGRATIONS IN THE STATES OF MICHIGAN AND WISCONSIN. GREAT FIRES OF THE WORLD ROME, MOSCOW, LONDON, HEW YOKE, PITÏSBUEGH, CHAKLESTON, CHICAGO, PHILADELPHIA, BAH FRANCISCO, PORTLAND, OTHER GREAT FIRES. THE NORTHWESTERN FIRES. Wisconsin. THE great fires winch devastated the northern and northeastern portions of Wisconsin and Michigan appropriately belong to a work of this kind, for the burning of Peshtigo, Manistee, Holland and the numerous villages along the shores of Green Bay, will always be associated with the destruction of Chicago, more especially as the principal towns were destroyed on the same evening. While the loss of property may not have been so great, the loss of life was much more terrible and the areas burned over incalculably larger. The same causes in a certain degree conspired to produce this destruc tion. The summer had been an excessively dry one, and the usual prairie fires which occur every fall, were burning over wider tracts than usual. Had it not been for the combination of wind and fire, it is doubtful whether any material loss would have occurred. Prairie fires in these regions are so common as to attract no attention, even when they get into the woods, for green timber offers little food for combustion. The people of Peshtigo for in stance, were resting in perfect security on that fatal Sabbath. The fires were about them in every (371) I 'I 372 THE NORTHWESTERN FIRES. direction, but they had fought them off with the appliances so familiar to frontiersmen, and dreamed of no danger. At sundown there was a lull in the wind and comparative stillness. For two hours there were no signs of danger; but at a few minutes after nine o'clock, and by a singular coincidence precisely the time at which the Chicago fire com menced, the people of the village heard a terrible roar. It was that of a tornado, crushing through the forests. Instantly the heavens were illuminated with a terrible glare. The sky which had been so dark a moment before burst into clouds of flame. A spectator of the terrible scene says the fire did riot come upon them gradually from burning trees and other objects to the windward, but the first notice they had of it was a whirlwind of flame in great clouds from above the tops of the trees, which fell upon and entirely enveloped everything. The poor people inhaled it, or the intensely hot air, and fell down dead. This is verified by the appear ance of many of the corpses. They were found dead in the roads and open spaces, where there were no visible marks of fire near by, with not a trace of burning upon their bodies or clothing. At the Sugar Bush, which is an extended clearing, in some places four miles in width, corpses were found in the open road, between fences only slightly burned. No mark of fire was upon them, they lay there as if asleep. -This phenomena seems to explain the fact that so many were killed in com pact masses. They seemed to have huddled together THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——WISCONSIN. ,373 in what were evidently regarded at the moment as the safest places, away from buildings, trees or other inflammable material, and there to have died to gether. Fences around cleared fields were burned in spots of only a few rods in length, and elsewhere not touched. Fish were killed in the streams—as at Peshtigo. Another spectator say's : "Much has been said of the intense heat of the fires which destroyed Peshtigo, Menekaune, Wil- liamsonville, &c., but all that has been said cannot give the stranger even a faint conception of thf, reality. The heat has been compared to that engen dered by a flame concentrated on an object by a blow-pipe, but even that would not account for some of the phenomena. For instance, we have in our possession a copper cent, taken from the pocket of a dead man in the Peshtigo Sugar Bush, which will illustrate our point. This cent has been partially fused but still retains its round form and the inscrip tion upon it is legible. Others in the same pocket were partially melted off, and yet (lie clothing and the body of tiie man icas not even singed. AVe do not know any way to account for this, unless, as is asserted by some, the tornado and fire were accom panied by electrical phenomena." It is the universal testimony that the prevailing idea among the people was that the last day had come. Accustomed as they were to fire, nothing like 374 THE NORTHWESTERN FIRES. this had ever been known. They could give no other interpretation to this ominous roar, this burst ing of the sky with flame, and this dropping down of fire out of the very heavens, consuming instantly everything it touched. No two give a like description of the great tornado as it smote and devoured the village. It seemed as if " the fiery fiends of hell had been loosened," says one. " It came in great sheeted flames from heaven," says another. "There was a pittiless rain of fire and sand." " The atmosphere was all afire." Some speak of " great balls of fire unrolling and shooting forth in streams." The fire leaped over roofs and trees and ignited whole streets at once. No one could stand before the blast. It was a race with death, above, behind and before them. The appearance of Peshtigo after the fire, and the effects of the flames is well told in a letter to the Milwaukee Wisconsin. The writer says : "Yesterday afternoon I rode out several miles from Menominee to the opening in the woods, where Peshtigo was. It is a level and sandy road, bordered mainly by blackened stumps and pine. We came to the Peshtigo opening. Fox river, where so many had been saved or drowned, was flowing placidly over the half-burnt dam ; heaps of mortar, brick and iron, showed where the factory, dry house, mills, foundry and machine works stood,—all else was a naked waste of drifted ashes and sand. Fording the river with our team, we continued our drive for a THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——WISCONSIN. 375 few miles westward into the Sugar Bush settlements. The trees had been cut and pulled aside from the roa-l. Burned culverts and small bridges filled up with logs. Outside the road, on either hand, was seen the work of the tornado. Great forests of maple, oak, beach, hemlock and pine were torn as by the power of a hundred whirlwinds, and hurled length wise and cross-wise on the ground. The whole forest had been mowed down like grass ; not one tree in twenty was standing. Mingled with the work of the winds, is seen the black wrath of the flames. Green maples and oaks, three feet in diam eter, went down in a whirl, and were eaten up by the red flames in an hour. It was this double rage of tornado and flame that burst in upon the ill-fated village of Peshtigo. Not all the fire steamers in the world could have stayed its destruction. " Out among the clearings of the Sugar Bush, not a trace of fence or farm buildings is seen, but a few black embers by the road side and the relics of stoves and kettles by the chimney pile. "There were two hundred and twenty families burned out in the Sugar Bush, two hundred and fifty in Peshtigo, and full a hundred elsewhere in the track of the tornado. Nothing was saved among the farmers, except now and then a stray horse or cow and a few scanty rags that hung to their bodies. The villagers fared no better. A few attempted flight with bundles and carpet bags, but they were snatched up and devoured by the flames. No one as yet can sum up the number of the dead. One 376 THE NORTHWESTERN FIRES. hundred and forty dead bodies have been found and identified in the lower Sugar Bush, fifty in the middle, and seventy-seven in the upper. It is thought that nearly all the farm settlers have been discovered. It is difficult to get at/ the number .of the Peshtigo dead. There were many woodsmen, railroad men, and others, strangers in town. Up to Saturday eighty-eight bodies had been found and registered, while fully as many more were mixed with charred bones and indistin guishable remains. There were twenty-two corpses among the fifteen families at Birch Creek, and half as many up the Menominee." Before the fire, Peshtigo was in all respects the most beautiful village between Green Bay and Mar quette. A six mile railroad extended to it from the mouth of the river, where were situated the great Ogden mill and pier. It contained the works of the Peshtigo Company, including the great tub and pail factory, machine shop, foundry, saw, flour and planing mills. The pail factory alone cost over $250,000 and was the largest of its kind in the United States. The Company's property in thr village was estimated at a million dollars. They employed over five hundred workmen. The village proper, on both sides of the river, covered about a mile square, and at the time of its destruction num bered about fourteen hundred people. The whole burned district in Wisconsin takes in ' Brown county, at the head of the Bay, and most of the country—say fifty miles west and seventy miles north on the west, and nearly the whole peninsula CHURCH OF THE HOLY NAME. (ROMAN CATHOLIC.) ST. PAUL'S CHURCH. (UNIVERSALISTA THE GKEAT CONFLAGRATION——WISCONSIN. 379 on the east to Lake Michigan. It also took in a strip ten to twenty miles wide on the Fox river, between Lake "Winnebago and Green Bay. The fire raged in this section, more or less, for two months. It is estimated that about a third of the standing timber was killed by the fire. Up to the time of the great tornado on the 8th, settlers gen erally had been able to save their buildings and crops, but lost heavily in fences, bridges, culverts, corduroy roads, and all wood property. The track of the great Sunday night tornado, on the west side, commenced about six miles north' of Oconto, extending fifteen miles in width, and run ning parallel thirty miles northward down the bay. The track on the east side, commencing in the town of Humboldt, twelve miles east from here, ranged ten miles in width, sweeping northeast forty miles to Big Sturgeon Bay. The west side distïict took in the village of Peshtigo, the Sugar Bush Settle ments, the village of Menekanne, at the mouth of the Menominee, and the Birch Creek Settlement, eight miles beyond in the borders of Michigan. All were swept out of existence. The Green Bay region was not so sparsely popu lated as is usually supposed. The census tables of 1870 show that Oconto county then contained 8,322 people; Door county, 4,869; Kewaunee county, 10,281; Brown county, 25,180. Nearly every township in the three last named counties contained settlements of people engaged in farming, and many villages clustered about the saw mills. 380 TEE NORTHWESTERN FIRES. The people in Ocoiito county were generally found in villages, occupied at this season of the year in the saw mills or manufacturing establishments. The villages of Oconto, Peshtigo, Marinette and Pen- saukee had, in the aggregate, over 5,000 inhabi tants. Besides the counties above named, large portions of the following counties vhave been par tially swept by the fires : Manitowoc, having 33,369 people; Calumet, 12,334; Outagamie, 18,435. All the Green Bay region has increased in the numbers of its people at least one-fifth. Of the losses in the farming districts immediately contiguous and tributary to Peshtigo, the Peshtigo and Marinette Eagle of October 21st, says : " Allow ing, at least, two townships of good farming land to have been entirely devastated by the fire, one- half of the same was more or less improved. Esti mating the loss on improvements, stock and farm products to have been $1,000 to each forty acres of such land, the loss amounts to $576,000. Valuing the timber on the entire tract at $500 per forty acres, and we have of loss $576,000 more. We think the foregoing estimate low enough in all con science. This makes a grand total loss of property in Peshtigo village and vicinity of $2,883,800. Add losses at Menekaune, at Menominee, and the farms up Menominee river, and the Menomi nee pine, the mill property in the vicinity and settlements, and the total loss will reach nearly $4,000,000 on that fatal and long-to-be-remembered Sunday night." THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——WISCONSIN. 381 The roll of actual sufferers, not including those who had means to help themselves, was 3,500 ; the roll of the dead who perished in these terrible flames, about 1,500. A civil engineer doing business in Peshtigo, in a letter describing his escape, says : " I went to bed about 9 o'clock, but did not go to sleep, as there was considerable noise in the house (the Peshtigo Hotel). Before long the bells rang and the whistles blew for fire, but this had happened almost every night for a fortnight. I looked out of my window, but as the sky was black, I went to bed again. Be fore long I looked again, and the sky was red. I then threw open the window, and the loud roar which I heard warned me of approaching danger." The writer dressed and looked out into the street, and though he saw no flames then, he had only time to assist two friends to carry out their trunks before the sparks flew in clouds and the smoke became suffocating. He immediately started for the bridge, and when he reached it the fire had not extended to the river. Before he could cross, a mill at the other end Avas in flames, presenting a fiery blockade. " I turned back," he says, " and for the first time the horror of the situation burst upon me. Fire on all sides; the bridge I stood on afire ; the air hot and full of flame; crowds of people screeching, cattle bellowing, horses dashing through the crowds and the wind blowing a hurricane. A wooden ware factory blew in before the fire touched it." He struggled back to the other end of the bridge, 382 THE NORTHWESTERN FIRES. though knocked down once by cattle, threw himself into the water and made the best of his way up stream, sometimes swimming and then wading, as the depth allowed, to get as far from the burning buildings as possible. "The heat increased so rapidly," he continues, " as things got well afire, that, when about 400 feet from the bridge and the nearest building, I was obliged to lie down behind a log that was aground in about two feet of water, and by going under water now and then, and holding my head close to the water behind the log, I man aged to breathe. There was a dozen others behind the same log. If I had succeeded in crossing the river and gone among the buildings on the other side, probably I should have been lost, as many were. It was thought at first that the fire would not cross the river, as it is here four or five hundred feet wide ; but it proved to be no obstacle at all, and those who crossed were glad enough to get back into the water. For about an hour I lay and gasped for breath, but after that the worst was over and I crawled upon the log to get out of the water, for it was very cold and I was chilled through. I lay there an hour and a half, and then was able to go ashore. It was so smoky we could not go near the burning ruins, so we built a rousing fire on the shore and tried to get dry and keep warm until morning. My watch ran through it all, and there fore I knew the length of time I was in the water. Had it not been for the watch I would have thought I was thsre four hours at least." THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION—WISCONSIN. 383 Another statement will be all that is necessary to give the reader an idea of this terrible scene. Mr. James B. Clark, of Detroit, who was at Uniontown, Wisconsin, writes: "Fires were blazing through the forests and along the prairies in every direction. At sundown there Avas a strong breeze, which at 9 o'clock increased to a furious gale, blowing toward the lake. The whole surface of the country to the westward, eastward and southward seemed to be one mass of flame, which almost reached to the lowering clouds, and rushed along at race-horse speed. Beyond, toward the lake, was the settle ment of William son's Mills, comprising about four teen families. The fire suddenly made a rush like the flash of a train of gun-powder, and swept in the shape of a crescent around the settlement. It is almost impossible to conceive the frightful rapidity of the advance of the flames. The rushing fire seemed to eat up and annihilate the trees. He says the roar of the blast was as loud as the whir of a great mill. As we stood looking on, eay at about 10 o'clock, we heard another strange sound. Straining our eyes toward the fire—about seven miles distant—we could just discern something moving; now it would appear like a black mass, then it would separate into fragments, swaying to and fro, and bobbing up and down. It came toward us directly from the lurid wall of flame. So intense was the glare of light all about us that our eyes were dazed ; they ran with water, and we could see only by constantly using our handkerchiefs. At t ir 384 THE NORTHWESTERN FIRES. last we made out by sight and sound that the moving mass was a stampede of cattle and horses thundering toward us away from the flames, bellow ing, neighing and moaning as they galloped on. Finally they came rushing past with fearful speed, their eyeballs dilated and glaring with terror, and every motion betokening delirium of fright. Some had. been badly burned, and must have plunged through a long space of flame in the desperate effort to escape. Following considerably behind came a solitary horse, panting and snorting and nearly ex hausted. He was saddled and bridled, and, as we first thought, had a bag lashed to his back. As he came up we were startled at the sight of a young lad lying fallen over the animal's neck, the bri dle wound around his hands, and the mane being clinched by the fingers. Little effort was needed to stop the jaded horse, and at once release the helpless boy. He was taken into the house, and all that we could do was done ; but he had inhaled the smoke, and was seemingly dying. Some time elapsed and he revived enough to speak. He told his name—Patrick Byrnes—and said : ' Father and mother and the children got into the wagon. I don't know what became of them. Everything is burned up. I am dying. Oh, is hell any worse than this 1 ' "The poor fellow lay in a critical condition when I left. The next morning we drove down to the settlement. The first house we came to was that of Patrick Byrnes, father of the lad before spoken THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——WISCONSIN. 385 of. It was a heap of ashes. The brick chimney, the cooking stove and iron portions of farm tools were the only remnants of the place. The forest was burnt down close to the ground, the stumps only being left, smouldering and smoking. Every thing was hot. Even the road was baked and cracked by the heat. About a mile further on we came to a horrible spectacle. Along side the road in a gnlly lay the bodies of six persons and two horses, roasted to a crisp. The iron tires of the wheels, and braces and bolts of the wagon were scattered about. Here the fire had surrounded and engulfed them. Evidently the animals in their mad struggles had reared, plunged, and fallen head long from the road to where they died. "We hurried on. All along the road lay the carcasses of cattle, sheep, hogs and dogs, burned to a crisp. The smaller animals were almost entirely consumed. Now we came to the village. Nothing was left but piles of ashes, smoking and smouldering. In the cellar of one house'we found eight bodies. One of a man was in a stooping position over that of a child, as though he died trying to ward off the flames. This was very likely the body of Mr. Williamson, the owner of the mills, who, with his entire family, is said to have perished. In the rear of the yard of the next house were four bodies, apparently those of a mother and her children. They were scorched, not burnt crisp, and one cheek of the youngest, a girl of six, retained an expression of calmness that seemed to indicate a painless death 386 THE NORTHWESTERN FIRES. by suffocation. But the most horrible of all was at Boormaii's well. Mr. Boorman's house was the largest in the village, and in the centre of the yard, midway between the house and barn, was a large but shallow well. Several of the neighbors were supplied with water from this fountain, and it is likely that in the conflagration, when all hope was cut off, the neighbors, insane with terror thronged with one purpose to this well. The ordinary chain and wheel pump used in that place had been re moved, and the wretched people had leaped into the well as the last refuge. Boards had been thrown down to prevent them being drowned; but evidently the relentless fury of the fire drove them pell mell into the pit, to.struggle with each other and die— some by drowning, and others by fire and suffoca tion. None escaped. Thirty-two bodies were found there. They were in every imaginable position; but the contortions of their limbs and the agonizing expressions of their faces told the awful tale." Michigan. The destruction in Michigan was not so terrible to life as in Wisconsin and yet was very disastrous in its consequences both to property and life. The principal losses were in Huron and Sanilac coun ties, which contained about 24,000 inhabitants. Of these fully 10,000 were rendered homeless, and in other parts of the State nearly 5,000 more. On the west shore of Lake Huron the towns of Verona, THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——MICHIGAN. 387 New River, Sand Beach, Huron City, a portion of Port Hope, Crescent, Centre Harbor, Ellen Creek, White Rock, Paris, Cracow, Meriden, Forrestville, and a Polish settlement near Forrestville were ut terly destroyed. Further north and on the shore of Lake Michigan, Muskegon and Manistee in part, Glen Haven on Grand Traverse Bay, and other settlements south of Mackinaw were burned. Of the losses, the State Relief Committee of Michigan say: "From 10,000 to 15,000 people at least in Michigan have lost their homes, food, clothing, crops, horses, and cattle. On the night of the Chicago fire 2,000 people on the east shore of Lake Michigan, and 5,000 to 6,000 on the west shore of Lake Huron were reduced to almost abso lute destitution. Within two or three weeks other small villages and settlements have been blotted out. The number of individual farm houses, barns, and frontier dwellings which have been destroyed by the all prevailing fires cannot, from want of infor mation, be accurately calculated. The fires are still burning and new ones spring up. The area of ruin and devastation is daily increasing and much suf fering exists. A long, hard, and cold winter is approaching, and large numbers of people are accessible only by water, and navigation will soon be closed." In regard to the destruction of timber the Huron county News thus estimates for one county alone : " The loss to this county by the burning of pine and other valuable timber is very great. It is too 388 THE NORTHWESTERN FIRES. soon to make anything like an accurate calculation of the total loss from this source, but from converse during the week with the supervisors and others from different parts of the country, we know.» we are safe in saying that it will exceed one million dol lars. Francis Crawford, of Caseville, estimates his loss by the destruction of timber at $100,000. That of the Port Crescent Company cannot be much less. Of the Rock Falls pine, comprising many millions of feet, hardly a green tree remains. Already immense tracts of this burnt timber have been laid flat by the high winds that have since blown upon them. But not until spring will the full effect of the damage be seen ; then, when the earth becomes softened by the rains and departing frost, will these forest monarchs bow before the blast, and green timber land will be the exception in the country—perhaps almost a novelty. Where the pine is scattering, it will not pay to get it out from these 'wind falls;' where it has stood thick, much of it will be got in, though at a much increased cost of lumbering. During the next two winters doubtless an extra effort will be made by all our lumbermen to rescue as much of this pine from entire destruction as possible,—as the destructive worm will be busily at work, and the chances of further burning will be largely increased." In connection with the Michigan fires the story of Allison Weaver, who lived near Port Huron, is full of interest. A Detroit paper thus tells how the old veteran stayed to see it out : THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——MICHIGAN. 389 "Weaver is a single man, about fifty years old, and served all through the war in an Ohio regiment of infantry. Up to two weeks ago he was at work for a man named Bright, ten miles from Forrestville, as fireman of a shingle mill. Two or three days before the approach of the flames, which eventually destroyed that section, Bright and his family left for Forrestville, and the next day all the men em ployed about the place either followed his example or made haste to reach their homes. On leaving, Bright informed his men that the fire would sweep that way, and warned them to lose no time in making their escape. Having no property to lose, or family to take care of, Weaver determined, as he says, ' to stay and see the circus out,' meaning that he intended saving the mill if possible. He has a stubborn sort of spirit, and the fact that everybody else went induced him to stay. " As soon as the men left he set to work and buried all the provisions left in the house, and during the day buried the knives, belts and other light machinery of the mill, as well as a stove and a lot of crockery ware. There was plenty of water in the vicinity of the mill, and he filled several barrels full, besides wetting down house, mill, stock and everything that would burn, scattering several hundred pailsful of water on the ground around the buildings. O " When night came and the fire had not appeared, he began tqjeer his absent comrades. But his self- conceit soon left him. About ten o'clock the il lr 390 THE NORTHWESTERN FIRES. heavens were so light that he could see the smallest objects around him, and there was a roaring in the forests which sounded like waves beating against rocks on the shore. " He began to suspect that he would soon receive the visit predicted, and accordingly made prepa rations for it. In leveling up the ground around the shingle mill, earth had been obtained by digging here and there, and Weaver went to work and dug one of these pits deep enough for him to stand up in. " He then filled it nearly full of water, 'and took care to saturate the ground around it for a distance of several rods. Going to the mill, he dragged out a four inch plank, sawed it in two, and saw that the parts tightly covered the mouth of the little well. ' I kalkerated it would be tech and go,' said he, ' but it was the best I could do.' At midnight he had everything arranged, and the roaring then was aw ful to hear. The clearing was ten to twelve acres in extent, and Weaver says that for two hours before the fire reached him there was a constant flight across the ground of small animals. As he rested a moment from giving the house another wetting down, a horse dashed into the opening at full speed and made for the house. Weaver could see him tremble and shake with excitement and terror, and felt a pity for him. After a moment the animal gave utterance to a snort of dismay, ran two or three times around the house and then shot off into the woods like a rocket. " Not long after this the fire came. Weaver stood by his well, ready for the emergency, yet curious to THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——MICHIGAN. 391 see the breaking in of the flames. The roaring in creased in volume, the air became oppressive, a cloud of dust and cinders came showering down, and he could see the flame through the trees. It did not run along the ground, or leap from tree to tree, but it came on like a tornado, a sheet of flame reaching from the earth to the top of the trees. As it struck the clearing he jumped into his well, and closed over the planks. He could no longer see but he could hear. He says that the flames made no halt what- • ever, or ceased their roaring for an instant, but he hardly got the opening closed before the house and mill were burning tinder, and both were down in five minutes. The smoke came down to him powerfully, and his den was so hot he could hardly breathe. " He knew that the planks above him were on fire, but, remembering their thickness, he waited till the roaring of the flames had died away, and then with his head and hands turned them over and put out the fire by dashing up water with his hands. Although it was a cold night, and the water had at first chilled him, the heat gradually warmed it up until he says that he felt very comfortable. He re mained in his den until daylight, frequently turning over the planks and putting out the fire, and then the worst had passed. The earth around was on fire in spots, house and mill were gone, leaves, brush and logs were swept clean away as if shaved off and swept with a broom, and nothing but soot and ashes were to be seen. " After the fire had somewhat cooled off, Weaver made an investigation of his caches, and found that 392 THE NORTHWESTERN FIRES. considerable of the property buried had been saved, although he lost all his provisions except a piece of dried beef which the fire had cooked as in an oven without spoiling it. He had no other resource than to remain around the place that day, during the night, and the greater part of the next day, when the ground had cooled enough so that he could pick his way to the site of the burned village. He was nearly twelve hours going the twelve miles, as trees were falling, logs were burning, and the fallen tim ber had in some places heaped up a breastwork, over which no one could climb." To these accounts we 'have only to add that on or about the 8th of October, Iowa, Minnesota, In diana and Illinois were severly devastated by prairie fires ; that terrible fires raged on the Alleghanies, the Sierras, and the Rocky Mountains, and in the far away regions of the Bed river of the North ; that at Halifax, N. S., a fearful gale destroyed great numbers of vessels ; that Montreal and Toronto were visited by a tornado which blew down numerous houses ; that Galveston, Texas, experienced the rav ages of a tidal wave ; and that attempts were made to burn the cities of San Francisco, Louisville, Ky., Toronto and London, C. W., and Syracuse, N. Y. Add still to these, the Franco-German war, the fear ful Chinese typhoon, the rapid spread of Asiatic cholera, and the unprecedented visitation of famine and plague combined in Persia,—and the year 187i must forever be regarded as the black year of the world's history. THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION——WISCONSIN. 393 «4 Summing up of the Loss of Life ctnd Property by the Wisconsin Fires. A correspondent of the Milwaukee Wisconsin, who has travelled through the burned regions in Wisconsin, thus sums up the loss of life and prop erty in the country through which he passed : " After making a deduction for exaggerations, I had supposed that 600 would cover the number of dead on the west side of the bay. I now learn from reliable sources that the actual number of inter ments up to Monday night counted up to 504. Add another hundred for remains of ashes and charred bones at Peshtigo, and I think we have not far from the true number ou the west side. Add 160 for the east side—making 750 in all—and the death-roll is nearly complete. " It is impossible to figure the aggregate losses of pine timber and farm property with any degree of closeness. It is the interest of mill men to underrate the amount of fallen pine that must be secured this winter to save it. A medium esti mate of damage to pine land in the Green Bay region is figured at $400,000. The damage on the Wolf is figured at $300,000. The loss to the fifteen saw mills burned, is put at $225,000.' The loss of cord-wood, ties, hemlock bark, &c., is set at $200,000. The losses of fences, buildings, wagons, cattle, crops, among the six hundred farmers, cannot be less than $600,000—making a total aggregate !', F 394 TEE NORTHWESTERN FIRES. of more than $3,000,000, aside from those of Peshugo. " The country through from Brown county north to Big Sturgeon Bay, for 400 square miles, is utterly devastated. At least 400 farms in this tornado section alone are left desolate—stripped of every improvement. Fences, barns, dwellings, imple ments, furniture, wagons, harness, and crops, all went up in a ' whirlwind of fire.' It will take thirty years, in that cold, hard soil for their timber to grow again. In the aggregate, their losses must foot up to $1,000 a family. Farmers here have saved half of their teams that were let loose in the woods, and a third of their stock. But they have no hay, straw, grain or feed of any sort—not even the poor chance of browse in the woods. Nearly all, with large families, have lost their last cow and pig. \ In a ride of six miles, on nearly a straight line, I saw but three hens and a fanning mill—the only farm implement left in town. In the Belgian settlement, on Eed river, sixty-two families were burned out in a row ! Not a house, not a shed, not a coop—not one fence-rail left upon another. The families had fled, almost naked, and breathless, to the few cabins on the outskirts that were saved. " There were 300 or more, wounded sufferers remaining in hotels, boarding houses, and hospitals about the bay. Fifty of the Peshtigo sufferers were at the Dunlap House, Marinette. Half of 'them were able to be about. Burned ears, faces, hands and feet were common to nearly all. There :S;fcr i-^v^ï ^ i^ifl-r-itfe' 'i » *»• , BIGELOW HOUSE. ? PACIFIC HOTEL. SANO'S BREWERY. RUSH MEDICAL COLLEGE. ILLINOIS AND MICHIGAN CENTRAL R. R. DEPOT, AFTER THE FIRE. THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION—WISCONSIN. 397 were women with great burns on the sides and limbs, with faces like kettles and hands like claws, burned to the bones. Men could fight better, and dare more than women. Most of them perished by suffocation. Little children are sadly maimed in their feet and faces. I saw one with a heel gone, and another with an eye. Nearly all will recover without loss of sight or limb. I could fill a book with stories of the hospital. Most of them suffer more from hurts of mind than body. I have a sad memory of a poor widow who lost her crip pled boy, who went on crutches, and a sprightly girl, who fell between the burning logs. They were all her family. ' The screams of both,' she said, ' seemed forever sounding in my ears.' There is a future, and no doubt compensations for all these suffering ones. "Most of these cabins that are left are crowded with two or three families each. I saw one with four men, five women, and sixteen children—two of them suckers. They had just received an out fit of clothing—warm stockings, knit hoods, thin shawls, thin gaiters, and light colored dresses for the women and girls ; old fashioned hats, bursted boots, thin jackets, and summer coats and pants for men and boys. There were some occasions of laughter, but none of ridicule ; all were glad and surprised at getting what they did. I saw no imme diate want of provisions. Flour, pork and hard bread are distributed to all—packages of tea and coffee to most. There are nearly potatoes enough 23 :i í 398 THE NOETHWESTEEN FIEES. in the country, if distributed. Their stock that is left has been, driven off to meadows and fields not burned over. One large-hearted old farmer was keeping eighty odd cattle belonging to his unfortu nate neighbors. Without stopping to consider the ways of Providence, or the uses of philosophy, these simple-minded people seem to have under stood the art of helping one another." THE GREAT FIRES OF THE WORLD. Some, A. D. 64. A HISTOET of the great Chicago conflagration would be incomplete without some allusion to the other great fires in the history of the world, by means of which comparisons in losses and extent may be made. The first which naturally occurs to the memory is the destruction of Rome, thus narrated by Tacitus : "There followed a dreadful disaster; whether fortuitously, or by the wicked contrivance of the prince (Nero), is not determined, for both are as serted by historians—but of all calamities which ever befell this city.from the rage of fire, this was the most terrible and severe. It broke out in that part of the circus which is contiguous to Mounts Palatine and Ccelius, where, by reason of shops, in which were kept such goods as minister aliment to fire, the moment it commenced it acquired strength, and being accelerated by the wind, it spread at once through the whole extent of the circus ; for neither were the houses secured by enclosures, nor the tem ples environed with walls ; nor was there any other obst