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Chicago was once all on fire,
The outcome was very much dire;
But they had the knack
to build it all back,
It's bigger and better and higher!
The outcome was very much dire;
But they had the knack
to build it all back,
It's bigger and better and higher!
PECULIAR PLACEs
and other destinations
CHICAGO'S GREAT FIRE
The following information is taken from 4 books giving accounts of the fire around the time that it was happening. The 4 books are numbered (at the bottom of the page) as are the paragraph from which they are taken. All un-numbered illustrations, are from book 1
The fire started corner of De Koven and Jefferson streets, and the fire spread in a northerly direction, crossing the Chicago river at Harrison street, which it followed nearly to the north river, and then northward to Lincoln Park, burning over a length of sixty miles of buildings, or one hundred if placed side by side. 1
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On the 8th of October, 1871, Chicago covered an area of twenty-one square miles, and contained a population of 340,000. On the 12th of same month, and within four days, the city was a mass of ruins, its citizens homeless, and many of them starving. 1
Chicago was acknowledged to be the great centre of the West, after the fire, the city was described by a eye witness-
"HERE AND THERE A CHIMNEY STANDS" On the morning of the 10th, the telegraph wires flashed the words throughout the world: "The city of Chicago is in flames" Thrilling news indeed. Those words chilled the heart of man. But how sad the next telegram: "No hope; Chicago is completely enveloped in flames. Our firemen and citizens exhausted. Water works and every public building destroyed. Great loss of life." 1
Just like the Titanic, it was reported as
"Great loss of life" It all started with a Boy & a Cow
Late on Sunday evening a boy went into a stable on Dekoven street, near the river, on the west side, to milk a cow, carrying with him an oil kerosene lamp, having first carelessly placed it on the floor. This was kicked over by the cow, which burst the lamp and the burning fluid scattered among the straw. 1
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The engines were waited for, and when they arrived, the firemen, stupefied by their exertions at a fire on Saturday night, worked slowly and clumsily. 1
The excitement became intense.
Chicago was known as the 'City of Gardens'
Wooden pavements, wooden houses,
wooden wharf front, a drought & strong wind |
The flames spread rapidly, owing to high wind and the dry condition of the buildings. The gale came from a little west of south, and the fire crossed the south branch to the east side, just south of Harrison street. 1
The flames spread with such rapidity, that in a bee-line one block was consumed every
eight minutes. By 6 o'clock on Monday morning it had swept diagonally across the territory bounded by Harrison street, the south branch, the main river, and the lake east 1
How did it get so out of control? |
THE WOODEN PAVEMENTS burned readily, making a continuous sea of fire miles in length. Block after block fell, and red-hot coals shot higher and higher, spread further and further, until the north side was a vast sheet of flame from river to lake. At one time it so hemmed the people that it was expected thousands must perish. The Chicago calamity is doubtless the most terrible in the history of the world; "the great fire in New York " in 1835, which involved a loss of $20,000,000, being insignificant in comparison. The prevalence of a severe drouth in the Northwest, and the facts that there were eighty-five miles of wharf front in Chicago for the storing of lumber and other combustible materials; that many of the streets of the city were paved with wood, and many of the houses frame structures, and that the connections with the water-works were destroyed, were circumstances unfavorable to the quenching of the flames by the usual agencies. 1
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Flames issuing forth from buildings on both sides of the street would unite, and present a solid mass of fire, completely filling the street from side to side, and shooting up a hundred feet above the housetops. Huge walls would topple and fall into the sea of fire without an audible sound, the roar of the fierce element being so great that all minor sounds were swallowed up 1 |
Women and children were going around the burnt district vainly seeking something to satisfy their hunger. Men and women grew gray from fright, and some became mad and killed themselves in their terror, while others ran in the wrong direction and perished in the all-enveloping sea of fire. 1
At the corner of Chicago avenue and Kingsbury street ten dead bodies were lying in plain sight in what appeared to be the cellar of a building,
among the rubbish |
People flee to the lake on the border of the city; standing in the water to cool their fevered brows. Women carrying children, many of them with their clothing on fire. Men in vain endeavors to save their families & some of their personal effects. 1
Many men, women and children were actually driven to the wharves. A few boats only ventured to take a part to places of safety, and as the fire bore down upon them, hundreds jumped into the water 1
Phelps, Dodge & Co., and many other large clothing establishments, invited the public to help themselves, with winter outfits gratis
Children clinging to their parents and crying for bread and shelter, and their parents at their wits' end to find either. Messrs. Phelps, Dodge & Co., and many other large clothing establishments, seeing that by no possibility could they save their goods, which had been removed to Dearborn Park, invited the public to help themselves, scores of persons thus provided themselves with winter outfits gratis. 1
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Some paid for help, others charged to help, making money from the distressed
One person was trying to remove valuable papers from his office, and asked two firemen to help him, but they refused unless he paid them $50. The papers were destroyed. The drivers of express wagons charged $100, and even, $500 for one hour's use of their vehicles in getting distressed people away from danger 1
In February, 1864, Erskine M. Phelps and George E. P. Dodge, who had previously been associated in business in Boston, came to Chicago, and, under the firm name of Phelps & Dodge, established themselves in the wholesale boot and shoe trade at the northwest corner of Lake and State streets. ... when they removed to No. 50 Lake Street, N. B. Palmer became a partner, and the firm name was changed to Phelps, Dodge & Co. 1
History of Chicago, from the fire of 1871 until 1885 Crowds of citizens were flying for their lives, as well as horses, dogs, cats, and other domestic animals joining in the throng, maddened themselves, and creating additional panic by their terror 1
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When the fire swept northward across Chicago river it missed a few buildings, and followed the east bank of the North branch a full half mile, igniting the immense coal yards that were located there. Almost every building was destroyed, The "Time* and
Tribune offices, The Court-house, the Metropolitan Opera House.....except for Fuller, Finch & Fuller's large brick drug store, standing on the angle formed by the main river and the south branch. 1 |
All the newspaper offices were completely wiped out There was Lawlessness and Robbery There were horde of thieves, into houses and stores they made their way and loaded themselves almost without notice. Fear was everywhere, several of them were caught in the act of setting other fires, and they were at once hanged to the nearest lamp post or shot on the spot like wolves, as they deserved to be. Those of them who escaped loaded themselves with plunder. But their success made them wild, and in several instances they fell victims to their own greediness 1
Several thieves were caught in the act of setting other fires, and they were at once hanged to the nearest lamp post or shot on the spot like wolves |
Many took refuge in buildings which were supposed to be fire-proof, and, as a consequence, were burned with their shelter. Walls of solid masonry, and plates of iron two or three inches thick, crumbling and curling up in a twinkling 1
Walls of solid masonry, and plates of iron two or three inches thick, crumbling and curling up in a twinkling
Scores of people fled for shelter to the freight and baggage-cars, and tore up fences to provide a temporary covering. Wednesday, provisions had arrived in great abundance. 1
An Italian bar-keeper on State street closed his doors and defended them against intrusion with a loaded shot-gun. A saloon on Clark street, however, was broken open, and the beer kegs and whiskey barrels tapped freely. Men and boys beastly intoxicated around the streets of the north division. Stocks of liquors were turned into the streets. There can hardly be any doubt that many of these wretches found their death in the flames 1
The Tribune- six elevators and the water-works are gone. There is no water in the city..The fire has burned a distance of
five miles & is still raging, the wind is blowing a gale. 3 Helpless and horror-stricken witnesses of the holocaust of three hundred thousand human beings, with all their homes. How great the actual destruction has been, we can only estimate. The loss of property has been variously estimated. Some have made it amount to three hundred millions of dollars. We have not before us a reliable estimate of the taxable or assessed value of property in Chicago at the time of the fire, but it is said that the total valuation in 1870 was about two hundred and seventy-five million. Admitting an increase of twenty-five millions since the valuation was made—the total value would be three hundred million 1
The city was enveloped in smoke, but it had worn that appearance for some ten days or more, owing to the firing of marsh and prairie land in its vicinity. The like of such a terror was never seen in the world before. The horrible scene of the bells that still swung in their unburned belfries, the crash of falling walls and the shrieks of the crushed and dying.... all these constituted a picture of greater intensity and terror 1
The word 'CONFLAGRATION' appears in many of the old accounts. It means, an extensive fire which destroys a great deal of
land or property Drouth is an old word for drought
The city of Chicago wasn't the only place
on fire! THE FIRES IN MICHIGAN AND WISCONSIN.
Burning of Peshtigo, Menimonee, Manistee, and Saginaw City. While the Fire Fiend was raging in Chicago, on the night of the day consecrated to rest, Sunday, October the 8th, it was also supping full of horrors in several of the towns of Michigan and Wisconsin. The result was a far greater loss of life than occurred in Chicago, the number of men, women and children burned to death, and otherwise killed outright being estimated at from twelve to fifteen hundred. We believe no account places it below one thousand. Fires had been raging in the woods around the towns for some days, without creating any very serious apprehension —great endeavors being made, however, to stay the flames. The extreme drouth had paved the way for the pitiless fire fiend. 3
Although heavily taxed, with commendable rivalry they telegraphed from every part of the country assurances of their solvency, and determination to pay every dollar to those holding policies; alas, the only thing to thousands, who, but a few days before, were estimated to be immensely wealthy. All the great companies, immediate commenced to settle up, and assured the people of Chicago that all liabilities would be paid as quickly as they could possibly be adjusted.
Of course, many insurance companies, in and outside of Chicago, by their enormous liabilities were obliged to suspend business; 4 |
No arrest, or trial by jury, just immediate punishment for wrong doers
Thieves and incendiaries were hanged by the heels and brained
The scenes and incidents, described by eye-witness- "Consumed like timber 10,000 buildings" he could compare the scene to nothing but a terrific storm of sleet and snow, substituting sparks and firebrands, which came down in a perfect shower, for the less painful missiles 1
Some drastic measures were used-
Chicago, October 9-6 P. M.—-The progress of the flames in South Division was finally arrested about one o’clock P.M. This was accomplished by the blowing up and demolishing of several buildings on Wabash avenue and Congress street, by Lieutenant-General Sheridan. 2 Early in the morning of the 10th, Heavy rains came & stifled the
smouldering embers By the mercy of heaven, not by the might of man, the awful waves of that sea of fire in which Chicago has disappeared were stayed at last early in the morning of the 10th. Heavy rains coming up checked the progress of the flames and stifled the smouldering embers of the vast desolation. 1
The city that called herself proudly the City of Gardens, lies in sackcloth and ashed, and round about her ruined precincts a hundred and fifty thousand homeless people lie in imminent danger, not perhaps, indeed, of starvation, but of disease, despair and death 1
Very few of her manufacturing establishments were destroyed. The loss falls on her public institutions, her larger buildings, her centres of trade and finance, and upon an army of the lower class of tenants and bank and mercantile employees. With these losses many fine homes have gone, but this is all. Enough remains to build anew upon. Said a leading banker and large loser "Young man, tell New York to stand steady on the centre, & Chicago will rally on the right"1
Said a leading banker-
"Young man, tell New York to stand steady on the centre, and Chicago will rally on the right" After the event, there were many theories as to the origin of the fire, including the wife of Patrick Leary milking the cow & not the son, conspiracy theories & many others.
The committee appointed to investigate the origin, progress and devastation of the fire, have made their report. We take from it the following interesting items:
The board find that the fire originated in a two story barn in rear of No. 137 DeKoven street, the premises being owned by Patrick Leary. The fire was first discovered by a drayman by the name of Daniel Sullivan, who saw it while sitting on the sidewalk on the south side of DeKoven street, and nearly opposite Leary’s premises. He fixes the time at not more than twenty-five minutes past 9 o’clock, when he first noticed the flames coming out of the barn. There is no proof that an persons had been in the barn after nightfall that evening. W ether it originated from a spark blown from a chimney on that windy night, or was set on fire by human agency, we are unable to determine. Mr. Leary, the owner, and all his family prove to have been in bed and asleep at the time. There was a small party in the front part of Leary’s house, which was occupied by Mr. McLaughlin and Wife. But we failed to find any evidence that anybody from McLaughlin’s part of the house went near the barn that night. . If any person set the fire, either by accident or design, he was careful not to give any alarm.4 |
The following is a recapitulation of the cash subscriptions (donations) up to 6 pm on the night following the fire. They were of course greatly increased afterwards, but the list goes to show with what rapidity the people of the United States came forward to aid the citizens of Chicago. In Dublin, Ireland, many thousand dollars were donated on the first news of the conflagration by telegraph. So in Canada, and England, and in fact everywhere.
Brooklyn, N. Y „ $112,350 Albany, N. Y 13,500 Poughkeepale, N. Y.... 2,334 00, Newark,N.J 5,000
Philadelphia, Pa. 250,000 Saratoga, N. Y 1,125 Elizabeth, N. J 1,250 Hudson, N. Y 5,000
Toronto, Canada.. 2,000 Montreal, Canada. 19,000 Buffalo, N. Y 100,000 New Brunswick..... 5,000
Louisville, Ky 150,000 Cincinnati, Ohio 210,000 St.Louis.Mo 80,00000, Detroit, Michigan,....... 25,000
London, Canada.. 6,000 Rochester, N. Y 70,500 Oswego, N. Y 2,000 Baltimore, Md. 35,000
Washington, D.C. 110,750, Trenton N.J...17,000, Trey N.J...10,000, Boston Mass..250,000, Providence R.I...21,000
Portland Me...11,000, Pittsfield Mass...5,500, Salem Mass..50,000, Lynn Mass...50,000, Jersey City N.J...7,537,
Utica...17,300, Hyde Park..1,000, Newburg..1,400, Camden N.J...2,000, Easton Pa...5,000, Salt Lake City..1,000
New York City...449,922.35 Grand Total= $2,107,168.35 1
Brooklyn, N. Y „ $112,350 Albany, N. Y 13,500 Poughkeepale, N. Y.... 2,334 00, Newark,N.J 5,000
Philadelphia, Pa. 250,000 Saratoga, N. Y 1,125 Elizabeth, N. J 1,250 Hudson, N. Y 5,000
Toronto, Canada.. 2,000 Montreal, Canada. 19,000 Buffalo, N. Y 100,000 New Brunswick..... 5,000
Louisville, Ky 150,000 Cincinnati, Ohio 210,000 St.Louis.Mo 80,00000, Detroit, Michigan,....... 25,000
London, Canada.. 6,000 Rochester, N. Y 70,500 Oswego, N. Y 2,000 Baltimore, Md. 35,000
Washington, D.C. 110,750, Trenton N.J...17,000, Trey N.J...10,000, Boston Mass..250,000, Providence R.I...21,000
Portland Me...11,000, Pittsfield Mass...5,500, Salem Mass..50,000, Lynn Mass...50,000, Jersey City N.J...7,537,
Utica...17,300, Hyde Park..1,000, Newburg..1,400, Camden N.J...2,000, Easton Pa...5,000, Salt Lake City..1,000
New York City...449,922.35 Grand Total= $2,107,168.35 1
Chicago was back on her feet in no time. Today it's a thriving metropolis.
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