CHICAGO. The Frightful Conflagration Quenched at Last. Rain and Gunpowder to the Rescue. Graphic Accounts of the Origin and Expansion of the Fire, the Ter ror of the People and the Sufferings of the Shelterless. Five fiandrcd Lives Lost Twelve Thousand Houses Burned Three flnndfed Mil lions in Property Destroyed. imm INCENDIARIES CAUGHT, The Men-Wolves Hanged to Lampposts or Shot Am m BOTS FATAL KE&08ESE LAMP. Resistless Speed of the Fire? The Boar of the Flames? The Storm of Burning Brands. The Hurricane Helping the Conflagration. ?attiaid night ?f One nnndred Thousand Pnple? Heartrending Scenes. Dcy|n Men and Boys Falling Victims to the Fire* Adilea of Wooden Pavement Burn ing?A Literal Sea of Flames. IMMINENT CITIZENS KILLED. Fears of Pillage? 1,500 Special Police and 500 Troops on Guard. flMamped on His Prairie B irttij, Deaths, Hake Jness, Cold, Thirst sad Hunger Among the Homeless. Signs of Returning Life to the City. the Lrgislatnre to Meet Business About to be Resumed The City To Be Rebuilt Ho tels and Banks to Reopen. newspaper* Reorganixiiig?1 The Postal Sarvtoe? The Food and Clothing Sapply? Work To Be Provided for the Panperi?ed. The Are, unexampled in American annals, which broke out at ten P. M. on Sunday night in Chicago, and which in the short period of thirty-six hours swept away twelve thousand booses, including the entire business portion of the city, after having completely ?OMnmed the entire northern division, was ?topped in its reooil southward by the blowing down of houses and the merciful fall of a heavy rain. Our reports of the lire, from its Origin to its latest chapter of horrors, will be found to contain all the obtainable facts at tending ibis overwhelming disaster. THE WAR WITH THE FLAMES CHICAGO, Oct. 10, 1811. Tlie Are demon that has been for two weeks ?talking over Uie rolling prali les or Wisconsin and Minnesota, devouring forests ami hamlets like tin der, and even adding human lives to his mad repast, Has at last fallen upon Chicago in one or those awful visitations to which rapidly growing marts art aebjected. Bis ravages were aggravated by the ex traordinary drought which has for weeks prevailed in the Northwest, rendering the earth and every Iking resting upon It INFLAMM ABI.K AS TOW. tia*foimii of Chicago in area and one-half in .vakie is in ashes. Last night at eight o'clock a /bog living on the corner ol Taylor and Ha)?t?d V streets Kent to the stables to milk hi* cow; at noon r*04ay not lung was lea in Chicago but dwelling {booses aroond the outskirts. The names oaught in Ms kkms straw and communicated to tne hay and ?he rick, and the northeast wind caught through the burning roor, and flung it abroad over the dry and famishing city, ji burned with uncontrollable fury, and m five minutes the block was in flames. wiNn sucibd jHROUcn rna bmkw, M tailed op the room like sheets of tissue paper ami Into the *lr. u* ?Voe kept open the rest of tne night. A KANE TO OPEN? PAPERS SECURED. The Commercial National Bank will commence ikeUr t?-m?"ow. M**J>wAUft they reopen for business on Wert Washington street, They opened their vault thin afternoon, mid all their booss, papers and securities were in perfect order. DEAD AND MIS8INB. There la a rumor that In a Darned blacksmith shop on Rush street the bodies of fifteen men were lound burned to a crisp, they having rushed Into the shop to escape from the flames which had sur rounded them beiore they bad discovered their peril. An immeuse number of people are missing, and for the purpose of aiding In the discovery 01 the missing ones a central intelligence office has been established, where are collected the names or all missing ones, and they are given to the police. Tne large hotel In the West Division, Just com pleted, has been taken by Gage bros. A Rice, late of the Sherman House, and they will open It In ten days. It will be known as the Sherman House. T11B NORTH DIVISION IB SWBPT CLEAR from the Chicago River to Wright's Grove, a dis tance of more than three miles. But one house that of Mahion D. Ogden, formerly Mr. William B. Ogdcn's? remains standiug In the entire district. A large poi tion of the population, driven from thin desolated ground, are BNCAMPBD ON TUB PRAIRIE to the north, where they have nothing but the canopy of heaven to cover them and scarcely sufficient food to satlsry their hunger. A meeting of the citizens of the State was held this evening, at which resolutions were passed recommending Governor Palmer to call an extra session of the Legislature at once. Ex-Oovernor Oglesby was appointed to proceed to Springileld and lay the matter before Governor Palmer. All the packing houses in Chicago and many of the elevators remain uninjured, and these two branches of Chicago's beet property will be but slightly interrupted. The Directors oi the Chamber of commerce met to-day, and resolved to proceed at once to the RE-BRBOTION OK TBB1R ELEGANT KIJIKICK. Two companies of United States infantry ar rive d bore this evening, and will be at once put on patrol duty. HISTORY OF TBE CONFLAGRATION. Chicago, Oct. 10, 1071. HOW THB P1BB ORIGINATED. The following la an account of the history of tne disaster by those wuo witnessed and fought the flames:? Late on Sunday evening a boy went into a stable on De Raven street, near the river, on tbe west side, to milk a cow, carrying with htm a kerosene lamp. This was kicked over by tbe oow, and the barnlng fluid scattered among the straw. This was the be ginning of the great fire. A single extinguisher on the ground, or active work of the police In tearing down one or two sbauttes, would have prevented tbe spreading of the flames, but the engines were l waited for, and when they arrived the firemen, stu pefied by their exertions at tne first lire, on Satur day night, WORKED SLOWLY AND OLUMdlLT. Their efforts nnavailed. the wind irotn the south west blew a gale, rapidly the flames shot from house to house and board yard to board yard, nnttl the district burned on the night before was reached. Meanwhile THE FLAMES HAD CROBBBD THB HiVBR noitb of Twelltb street on tbe south side, and made for orlck and stone and business diockb, railroad freight depots and manufacturing establishments. Tbe lull extent of danger was realized for the first time; tbe Fire Department, already tired out, worked like heroes. THE 8UP1NENBBB OP TUB A0THOK1TIKH. The Major and city government, that had supinely rested, now began to exert themselves, but tne op portunlty had been lost. The time when thorough organization could have blown np buildings or pre pared for the emergency was neglectcd and it was now a fight for liie. The wind blowing asiiffgale bad possession of She flames, and the beautiful bundle KS Chicago's ?lnr?_ law itieill- Har rison, Van Buren, Adams, Monroe and Madison streets were soon reached, tbe intervening blocks from the river to Dearborn street on the east being consumed. Three-quarters of a mile of brick blocks were consumed as If by magic. IGNORANT OK THK1R DANUKII. It being Sunday proprietors mul employes were at borne, utterly unconscious of wha*. was transpiring. Those who saw the flames supposed it was i tie re mains of Patordav night's (Ire, and having cunfl dence in the Fire Department were unconcerned. ALIVE TO THE TERROR. Between eleven and twelve o'clock a ruiuor got abroad that the lire was in the business portion of the citv. Then the people commenced moving. Horses were brought into requisition to take the propr etora and others to the conflagration. What a scene met ihelr gaze I The Board ol Trade, Court House, Western Union Telegraph and Associated Press office and hundreds of other buildings were all aflame. The air was filled with live coals, which were hurled to the north and east a beacon of de struction. THE FIRE BN?;NEH WIRE POWERLESS for saving. All that men could do was to blow up buildings, bnt this availed little. The Thiven, Tribune, lo.*t, KeVuUlicaii, Journal and other newspaper offices, the West"rn News Company block. Field A Leltter's estabiunment, the Drake block, recently built, Farwell A company's, all were soon In ashes. It seemed t hat no sooner had the flame struck a wall than It went directly through, and a very few minutes suftlced to destroy the most elaborately built structure, the walls meiteu and the very bricks were consumed. THE WOODEN PAVEMENT TOOK PI RE, making a continuous sheet of flame two miles long by a mile wide. No human being conld po**iblv survive many minutes. Block after block fell, and the red hot coal shot higher and higher and spread farther and fArther until the north side of Lake street was a vast mountain of flame from the ilver to the lake. At one time, so hemmed In were the people that it was expected thousands must perish. Sherman. Tremont and other HOTELS WERE EMPTIED op THKIR (IUBST8, and a remarkable sight presented itself" in the hur rying throngs, with trunks, sacks or bags on their shoulders, fleeing amid flames for their lives. Those who could made for the remaining bridges, others got next to the lake shore and so south, one block in all the vast business section remained at day light, vl?:? the block. The i "us torn House and Honorc block, in Dearborn street, had burned and those who had rought the flames here thought at least this block could be saved. PlOliriNO TUB Pl.AMRS. A patrol of men, under ham Medlll, swept off live coals and put out flames la the sidewalks, and another lot of men, under the direction of Mr. Joseph Medill, watched the roofs. At half-pa-t seven o'clock these appeared safe, and most of the men went to get rest or food, A number went to sleep to the Tribune building, lint there was A CHANUB OP WIND. The flamos reached Wabash avenue, Ntate street and Michigan avenue, and soon McVloker's Theatre caught lire. In a few moments ibe Tribune was in flames, and at the last moment the sleeping men were aroused And rescued from the flames. By ten o'clock in the lorenoon this remaining i>iock was in ashes. TRE P1RB STAMPEDE. Now was to be Been the most remarkable sight ever beheld in this or any country. There were from 60,000 to 7ft, 000 men, women and children flee ing by every available street and alley to the south ward and westward, attempting to save their clothing and their lives. F.very available vehicle was brought into requisition for une, for which enormous prices were paid, and the streets and sidewalks presented an extraordinary sight. Thousands of persons and horses inextricably com mingled poor people of all colors and shade* and of every nationality? from Knropo, China and Afrtea? mad with excitement, struggled with each other to get away. Hundreds were trampled under Jo M. N?B Mid wonen were MV?d with and their household goods, to whose skirts were clinging tender INKANTH, IIALK-DHBHSRi) ANI) BAREFOOTED, ?11 seeking a place of safety. Hours afterwards these might have been seen in vacant lots or on the streets, lar out In the suburbs, stretched in the dnst. These are the suffering lambs whom Christ now calls on the rich world to leed and clotne. Qod help them If the heart of man shall prove obdurate I maddened by pibk. One or the most pitiful sights was that or a mlddle a?ed woman on state street, loaded with bundles, struggling tnrough a crowd, singing the "Mother Goose" melody, Pickery, Cblekery, Crany Crow, I went to tbe well to waab my toe. There were hundreds of others likewise dis tracted and many made desperate by whiskey or beer? which, from excess of thirst, they drank In absence or water in great quantities- who spread themselves in every direction, a terror to ail they met. KIVB HUNDRED LIVES LOOT? KB AB PPL INCIDENTS. H In tearful to think of ihe lo-w of life. It is con jectured with good cause thai nearly five hundred have been burned to death. We saw four men enter a burning building and In a moment they were overwhelmed by a falling wall. There was a crowd of men around the corner of a building, trying to save property, when, the wall yielding, some of them were buried beneath It About twelve or fifteen men, women and children rushed into the building of tlie Horticultural Ho ciety, a fireproof building, for safety. In a few minute? the flames burst up and tiiey were burned 10 death. prominent citizens burned. Among those who took refuge In this building was the venerable Colonel Samuel Stone, eighty years of age, for a long time conncoted with the so clety; also John D. Gerard and wife, Mms. Depel grone, the noted teacher of uiu^ic. it is feared that Dr. Frcar and family were also burned, as they were In the building and have not been seen since. Mrs. Edsali, whose husband was murdered lact neek, and who was suffering from an Illness, was carried away for protection to a building which was afterwards consumed, and it Is reared she also per Isned. VALUABLE DOCUMENTS DESTROYED. All the books and papers or the Historical Society, Including the original copy of the famous Emanci pation Proclamation (President Lincoln's), for which the society paid $25,0 >0, were destroyed. save the children. it is feared that a large nomber or children, in mates of tlte Catholic Orphan Society, on State street, were also burned, as many of them are miss ing. on Chicago avenue a rather rushed up stairs to carry three children away, when he was over taken by the flames and perished with them. The mother was afterwards seen on the street on the northwest side, A RAVIN 0 MANIAC. In the same neigh boruood a family of five persons perished. The list of such fatalities is very long and can only be lull; verified arter the smoke shall have cleared away. There are hundred of families on that side who saved no clothing, but barely their lives. Among these is the family of Perry Smith, formerly President of the northwestern Railroad Company. rant HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS LOSS. A careful survey of the insurances to-dav shows that there were written on the property destroyed over two hundred millions of dollars; add another hundred million to this sum and a rair estimate can be reacned of the loss. All the leading mer chants who have been seen express their determi nation to REftl'MK BUSINESS AT ONCE. This includes heavy houses, such as John V. Far well, Field, Letter A Co., and Sprague, Warner A Co. Farweil A Co., and Field, Letter A Co. saved iroin threo hundred thousand to a half million dol lars' wortu of goods. Botn firms have already established headquarters on the west si^e. Field, i Letter A Co. have just Issued the following:? A COOI. CIRCULAR. To OCR Patronh? Wc have eared all our booka and oaprra, and havn opened au ollice at No. GO Calumet aveuu?. We truot yon fully appreciate our oltaatlon and all who are lixtebled to un will make immediate payment We Khali never ceaae to thank you lor pant aut lone. In a abort time we expect to b? reorganized, and ready for bueiueftt aoon. FIKLD, LB1TBR A CO. ENTERPRISING JOURNALISTS. The Hituhm Journal ami Tribune hope to publish ?mali sheets to-morrow. At a meeting 01 the busi ness men to-day a spirit was manifested to at once mi to work to rebuild Lite city and restore business. I no M??| .Ti nt TO Jf KBT II" MJLL4U& A spcoial meeting of the legislature Is 10 be Hold to provide means for aiding the business men aud provide employment for the poor. Fears are enter tained that the desperate distress of so many win create squads of pillagers, and tlmr life will not be ear*. To relieve these General .Sheridan Is tele giaphlng tor more troops, and special police forces are being organized by me citizeus. The only effectual remedy is to KIND BMFLOYMBHT KuR THE THOUSANDS wlio would work if they could. The temporary office of the Western Union Tcle grauH Company Is througed by thousand* auxiou* to advise friends. The operators are busy every moment, but us the number of wires available are tew, airl the (ires in the country threaten the**, Oneral .Stager has directed that private (family) incflWges aud press despatches shall first go. T08TAL AHRAN<> KMKNTS MADE. Perfect arrangements have been made by the Post Office authorities, under direction of Colonel Wood, for sending, rocelviug and distributing all mail matter. THE SITUATION. The fire Under ?'?utr?l? Kxirnt of the D? vuistiaii. ?'HICAMO, Oct. 10, 1871? Noon. The Ore continued to burn all last night on the north side, but this morning is under control. It is literally true to say that there is uotning remaining or that side from the river north to Lincoln Part on the north, and from the north brancn or the river on the west to the lake on the east. Tnis portion of the city, except along the main river, where there were business blocks, was occupied by dwellings. I'NHIIKLTSRKI) TBOI'SANIIS. Two thirds of the imputation of this district were German and .Scandinavian. These people are now homeless. Some of them are in frame building* on the northwest section and others on the prairies without shelter throughout the day. Yesterday a renewal of the flies on the west side was looked for, and a change of Ave degrees in the direction of tne wind at any time would have led to that result. There would thon have been no refuge for any. Everybody had their ciothlng packed ready to start for the prairie at any moment, but Ood i|erted this last possible addition to our disaster. rain at last. At sundown the wind lulled and at three o'clock this morning the rain, so fervently prayed (or, came. It did not rain long, but the roofs or houses and the ground have been wet, so that now It is |ws stble to have Ores and oook food lor the multitude. A MKKTINU OK CITIZBNfl was held In the First Congregational chnrch. in West Washington street, which was oontinucn throughout the night. Measures were concerted 10 protect what property was leit and to provide ror the homeless. PCMriNfl WATKH KKOM TUB KIVBK. Messrs. Richards and Charles Cralne, of the North western Manufacturing Company, have contrived a plan, which is i*>ing put into execution, for provid ing waetr in case or Ure breaking out at any time. The machinery or their works Is being used ror that purpoee, and their engine and boilers are being used ror pumping wat*r from the river. NrtCIAL POI.M E AND TROOPS CA 1,1*0 OC r. Mficen hundred citiaens were sworn In last night as an extra police force, and the Secretary or War authorized General Sheridan to employ all available troops ror guard, and Issued an order ror 100,000 rations. Five huudreo soldiers arc on duty. IliOIHBUlIT DRMONH lANUIIK 'nils precaution was necessary; for, as remark a i>t*i ps M uwt seem. tk*re wer? OeiuM who ft?)i sought to extend the disas'er. Two men, eanght in the act of flniu houses on the weal side, were arrested and immediately hung to lamp poets? one on Twelfth street, near the river, and the other three wiles away, on Clavbortie avenue, north ild& This summary action ha* checked Hie thieves and murderers. PIHKMEN AND BN01NK8 ARRIVE CONFIDENCE RE TDRvrKd. The arrival of Bremen ami engines from Milwau kee, St. Louis and other cities, has apparently restored confluence. Tne Cincinnati train arrived ibis morning with four engines, three from that city and one from Dayton. They were seventeen hours on the way, having to change the ronte twice, and then, Anally, came via Piqua and Lo^ gansport. There vu an inexpressable plea sure in seeing thott experienced men go right to work, in a businesslike way, where work was most needed. Tuey are playing on coal pUes to save whatever of fnel is possible, and pre venting the farther spread of the flames. The vast plain is covered witn people wandering about, seeing the evidences of a wealth that has com pletely vanished in flames and smoke. DBTBRMINBD TO K BTRIEVE TUB LOBS? TIIE NBW8 CAPERS. A few business men with some netve are seeking houses for business on (he west side. Rooms that rented last week for $&u now readily command $0,000. Ther%ye not many of these, but enough to allow a few bflhess meu to start. The newspapers will be started again In a few days or weeics. Mr. Joseph Medill, of the Tribune, who is ono of the heaviest sufferers, succeeded yesterday in leas ing a brick building on Washington street, at the tunnel. He also purchased two single cylinder presses used in a job o nice on the west side, and lias TBI.EOBAPflBI) EAST FOB PAPER AND TYPE, there being nothing of the kind left here. Mr. Story, of the Time*, will erect a rough one story building and begin the Issue of that paper as soon as material ran be procured. The Journal is provided for on the west side. The Post, Republican and Slants Zeitnng will also arrange lor business as soon as practicable, but. everything must come from elsewhere. There is nothln gleft. WATBR WATBR I WATER 1 Water for drinking and household use Is secured from the lake and the parks, and for horses from the river. There are a tnousand people camped about the artesian wells, four miles out, and perhaps as many more at the lake and on Puller ton and Victor avenues, near the prairie. FEEDING TUB PBOPI.B. The people are being fed in the remaining churches, school houses, in sheds and by the road sides. It was cold and chilly this morning, causing great suffering. FBAHR OK PINB WEATHER. It 1b now clearing up again; but instead of this being welcome tne people are praying earnestly for more rain, so fearful are they of a continuance of the flames. A Fall* Report? The K're has Not Attain Urakea Oal-Mwc laceadiariea HasttU and Hbot. Associated Press Opficb, 1 New Vork, Oct. 10? s P. M. f Tlie report received at a late hour this afternoon and bulletined throughout the cltj that the flje had broken out a train in chicago in a quarter hitherto untouched happily proves untrue. Oeneral Palmer, Vice President of the Western Union Telegraph Comapny, on reading the report, telegraphed directly to (ieneral Stager, Superln tendent of the Coiup iny, now at Chicago, (or con firmation, and received the following reply:? Chicago, Oct. 10?4 P. M. General Palurr:? A lire started in a small building on Thirty -first street, but was speedily put ont. The incendiaries are busy, but seven or eight hanged or shot at sight. AN80N STAtiKK, A CITIZEN FIRE-FIGHTER'S 8T0RT. The UngovcrnRUe Fury af the Fire? The Haar af the Flames? The Fire Working Back Auaiust ilic Wind? Over the River Aaioag the Wooden Dvrd!in?a? Meanness aad Extortion Amfd the Flarnee? Drnnken Men and Rnys Burned to l)r?th. ClilCALO, Oct. 10, 1871. Tbe following reliable ami graphic description of the fire has been fornlsbed by n gentleman wlio par ticipated in the work of subduing the names during their continuance:? "None Out an eye witness can form an idea of tlio fury and power of too fire-fiend as he revelled among the palntial liuildings and warehouses on the south fide, with THE WIND BM)WTN?) A HURRICANE. At limes it seemed but Hie work of a moment for the fire to enter the south ends of buildings front ing on Randolph, uike and Water streets, and re appear at the north doors and windows, belching forth in fierce flames which oiten licked the oppo site buildings, aud then the flame* issuing forth from the buildings on both sides of the street would unite aud present A SOI.ll> MASS OK F ItK, completely miintc t he street from side to side, and shooting upward a hundred feet into the air above tlie housetops lu their mad career. Thus was street after street Oiled with name, und the exultation of the fire fiend was given veut to in A KCPOI'KMNO ROAR, which can only be equalled by combining the noise of the ocean when its waters are driven dtiriug a tempest upon the rocky i*eacii with the howl of the blast, nuge walls would topple and fall Into the sea of fire without apparently giving a sound, as the roar of the fierce element was so great that all minor sounds were swallowed on, and t ie rail of the walls was only perceptible to the eyes. If the reader will recall to his mind the fiercest snowstorm in his experience and 1M AO! NB THK SNOW TO BE FIRE as it suraed hither and tlnther before the fury of Hie wind, tbey will tie able to form a faint contention of the names as tbey raged tii rough the streets of our doomed ciiv. Many of the buildings situated along South Water street bnricd their red hot walls In tbe water of the river, Into which tbey plunged with a bins. The heat was so intense at times from some of tbe burning buildings that they could not be approached within 150 feef, which accounts for the manner In whlcn THE I IRE WORKED RACK. and of ien against *hc wind. The are, after reach ing the business portion of Randolph and South Water streets, leaped tbe river to the north side iu an incredible short space of time, and thence among the wooden buildings on that side reached the lake shore, alter touching block alter block of happy dwellings with its fierce bla?ts. such a scene OF UTTER P0WBRI.BSSNR?* lu face of au enemy was never preseuied than that of these people trying to oombat the Ore fiend, for the combat was not of long duration. The people bowed their heads in anguish of spirit and suffered the fiend to have untrammelled swar. While there are many instances of generous devo tion on the part ef rich and poor id dtviuiug with tbe destitute, there are PAINrCI. INSTANCES OF MEANNESS and selfishness, one person was trying to remove valuable papers from an office and asked two fire men to help bim, but they refused unless he paid them $40; 'he papers were destroyed. Drivers of express wagons have taken fiooand even $600 for an hour's nse of their vehicles in getting distressed people away from danger. Among the sad scenes of the calamity was the appearance of III NDREP8 OF MEN AND BOTH BEASTLY INTOXI CATED, ?round the streets or the North division, wbeie saloon keepers' stocks of liquors were turned into the street, and tarnished a convenient opportunity for tbe gratification of their slavish propensities; and there can haraiy be any doubt that many oi these poor wretches found their DEATH IN TUB FLAMES, Iron which tbey were too helpless t? escape- One poor man had crowded for refuse into the water main, lying in the street, near the water worsa, bat the flre-fleud found him even there beforo ne coui.l get bis body wholly in aaretj, and robbed him of bis lire. PRINCIPAL BUILDINGS BURIED. Anions the doe buildings laid in ashes by tUo great Are are:? The Court Boose. Chamber or Commerce. Custom House and Post Office. Western Union Telegraph Office. noma. Hhcrmai Bouse. Tremont Bouse. Brlggs' Bouse. Metropolitan. Ht. JamoH. Palmer Bourn. Blgelow Hotel. Pact tic Hotel (unfinished). tukatkkh AMD Crosby's Opera Bouse. MoVloker's Theatre. Dearborn Theatre. German Theatre. Par ire; I Bail. Aiken's Museum. railroad depots. Illinois Central. Rock Island. Michigan and Southern. Northwestern. BUSINESS 0003M. Palmer block. Farwell Co. Drake block. Field, /.el t ung A CO. Bonore block. Brown, Buut A Wlnsiow. MnwsPAPn omtM. Tribune Mali. Times. Post. Republican. Journal. Staats /.eitnng. CBDBOHW, HO. St. Mary's. Trinity. First Presbyterian. Hecond Presbyterian. St. Panl's Swedenborgiau. Catholic Orphan Asylum. ANOTHER ACCOUNT. The Path mf the flw-faHI>slsi? ?f ttm Spread? The Water Work* Bw< 0? i eral Aberldns at Work BUwtaf Dsws Benip*? lie Mion ike Plain an Tfct flMwItg aad Klevatora Dettrtred-Thr WMki PaTemeni and NldeWiIki (I?imib(4. Ci.ivkland, Oct. 10, 1891. Mr. o. B. Taylor, son of Mr. B. W. Tayior, of this city, manager or the Chicago Agency of tne Cleve land Paper Company, who left Chicago on Monday night, gives a better aoconnt of the dlsastevlhan has been before obtainable. Be says tue fire com menced on the west side, in a house on Balsted street, between Bunker and Dekoven streets, a short distance north or Tweitb street. From this potnc it travelled northeastwardly, crossing the blocks diagonally, until It reached Despiainos street, near Pollc. In this vicinity was a large planing mill, which took Are and burned with interne heat. From this building CAME Al.f. TBI MISCHIEF the wind war blowing furiously, and fluke* of Ore from the burning planing mill were carried nftmg to great distances, causing flames to born in dozen places at once, though widely Reparoled, one line of Are tr a veiled rapidly In A NORTHBA8TEBLY DIRBCTION, across the south branch or Chicago river, between put and Harrison streets, and reached t?ie lake at Congress street, ai utc Ore was travelling more nortnwanlly, iroeslug the river near Van Baren street, whilst the flames continued due north along Canal, Clinton and Jefferson streets, the wind blowing a gale from the sooth carried the burning fragment* so far northward that Ores burst out almost simul taneously all over tne district between Harrison street and the Chicago River. This territory con tains the best business portion of Chicago, includ ing tne great wholesale and retail establishment*, the banks, hotels, newspaper oOicetr, Ctfurt House, Custom lluu-c and Post Ottlce; Chamber of Com merce, Telegraph bulldlDg and railroad depots, With TIIB SPEED OK A I'BAIRIK FIRB. The flames swept through this vaat amount of property, and converted it luto a raging hell. 80 sud den and unexpected was the spread of the flames that there was little time lor saving property; but the fury of the Are was not stayed at the river, the burning brands were carried across far up 10 the north side, and the flames swept from tne river up to Lincoln i'ark, carrying everything berore them,, DK.^TKOTIKfl THB WATER WORKS on Pine street and Chicago avenue, and the sup., ply of water being cut oflr the flames had it all their own way. The tire swept tnrough the Catholio Cemetery, and latest rumors said it had entered Lincoln I'ark, reached the woods beyond and was sweeping up towards Evanstou. How far thia is true could be ascertained wiien our Informant was there was lint little communication with the north side, but the intense glare and smoke In that direction showed that the work of destruction was still going on. The Are did Its work perfectly; brick, stone and wood, Areproof block and white wood shanty shared the same fate. All were levelled to the gronnd. HBRK AND TUBUS A t HIM SKY STANDS or a fragment of a wall, but over whut was the finest part or Chicago the eye can range unob structed save by smoke. What was once Chicago mi now a plain covcred with contused heaps of bricks at white heat. Streets arc blottud out, and not m landmark remains to show tne oldest inhabitant where he stam's. Such complete obliteration can not be conceived possible unless It is seen. The Are, after It had passed northward, turned for tnue and commenced travelling SOUTHWARD, AI O.NO WABASH A V KNI'B, It was at this time that Lieutenant ^oueral Sheri dan came on the field and commenced blowing up buildings, In company with Surgeon Ash aud Mayor Mason, he drove rapidly throuuh the menaced districts with cans of powder, and blew up houses wherever he saw It ncceeearj to stop the names, a house on Wabash avenue, just south of Csngrctas street and next door eaet to that of Mr. Laflo, was blown up, which STOPPED THB SOUTHWARD PBO'illMS Of TBI r I AMKS. The river was crowded with shipping. Theee, as a matter of course, were destroyed. Ho rapid waa the progress 01 the flames that it was impossible to remove them from the danger in time. A num ber of THE FINEST RI.KT AT0R8 IN THB CITY were burned. The Court House records are supposed to he destroyed tnough a rumor was corrent mat a portion had been re moved to one of the tunnels, aud possibly said there were grave fears as to the safety *f the bank vaults, but the facta in regard to them cannot be known until the ruins ceol off the Nicholsou pavement burned up, the ere travelling ou the pavement as It progressed along the blocks. THB WOODBN SIDKWAI.ES BCBNED LIRE TIN DBS. and assisted In spreading the flre. Thousands of people were on the streets Monday evemug without food or snelier. Men who on Sunday were worth Bullions were sitting on Monday night on Me curb at 000, with their lamllies penniless and hnnsry. Many of them who were supposed enormously CONTINUED ON NINTH PAGE.