The following description of the fire in Chicago, as viewed from the top of Tremont House, is so vivid and real that we think all our readers will thank us for its publication. It is from the Detroit Post of 13th inst.:
A GRAPHIC ACCOUNT—THE SCENE FROM THE TREMONT HOUSE.
Mr. Abell Palmer, cousin of Potter Palmer, the Chicago millionaire, gives the following account of scenes in connection with the fire. He was with a party at the Tremont House on Saturday, and with reference to what occurred that night and the following day, says:
Everybody in the Tremont House was up all night, fearful of what might happen. All day Sunday the excitement continued, but it was not until night that the worst came. From the roof of our hotel we
LOOKED OVER THE DOOMED CITY.
A strong wind was blowing at that time, and yet the flames seemed to go in all directions, like an expanding scythe mowing great and increasing swaths with frightful rapidity. We could think of nothing else but hell. The flames were in some places like huge waves, dashing to and fro, leaping up and down, turning and twisting, and pouring—now and then a great column of smoke and blaze hundreds of feet into the air, like a solid perpendicular shaft of molten metal. In other places it would dart out long streaks, like mammoth anacondas, with hissing, fiery tongues; then these serpentine shapes would swoop down over the blazing path into the yet unburned buildings, which seemed pierced and kindled instantaneously. There were also billows of flame that rolled along like water, submerging everything in their course. Now and then, as some explosive material was consumed, the place would seem like the crater of a vast volcano, puffs of smoke amid flashes of light and millions of sparks and cinders being scattered in all directions. Sometimes the air would be full of them, and gusts of wind would float them like flocks of fire-birds hither and thither. Occasionally there were cinders of more than two feet in length. Showers of these were falling—actually raining down everywhere. Our faces were stung, and our clothing now and then set on fire, until we got wet umbrellas and held as shields over us. There was a terrible fascination in gazing upon the scene.
IT WAS UNEARTHLY, HIDEOUS, TERRIFIC.
Our eyes seemed riveted so that we could not withdraw them. There were miles of fire, mountains of flame, waves of light, flashes, clouds, brilliant scintillations. With the aid of glasses we could see the streets thronged with people flying for their lives. Children were carried, screaming with terror, women were shrieking, men were shouting, and all running. We saw some old and sick and helpless carried on stretchers, some apparently demented or stupefied were dragged along. Close to their heels, in hot pursuit, came the belching, roaring, and crackling flames. In some places they actually advanced as fast as men could run. The most awful of all was the thunderous roar that seemed to roll upward and outward from the center of the huge holocaust. Now there would be a report like the boom of distant guns, again came a snapping like the rattle of musketry. Horses rushed like marauders through the streets. One splendid team attached to a coach ran over the Van Buren bridge, which had been charred and weakened. Just as the mad horses had passed the center it gave way, and they plunged down through the lurid glare into the scarlet river below. There were all sorts of scenes happening—some horrible, others ridiculous. Here and there, when some tall building became sheeted in flame, the walls would weaken and waver like india rubber. It was wonderful sometimes how they swayed—almost across the street—and then fell with a loud crash; then a momentary darkness, and afterward fresh glares of light from some newly kindled fire. Even those streets that were paved with the wooden pavements were
MASSES OF LIVE COALS.
The massive granite slabs were cracked into thousands of pieces. All this time the heat was very great. By and by it grew so intense that no one could stand within blocks of the place. Over the roofs came gusts of hot air, sometimes strong enough to throw one off his feet. Our shoes were parched, the tin roof was hot, and we were forced down below. The greatest sight was to notice how the flames seemed to engulf the larger and more lofty Mansard roofs. They went like paper. The hotel was crowded. All were excited and fearful. Every moment the report came that the fire was nearing us, and finally we knew that we could not remain longer. Escape was the only thought. At midnight the flaming heat crossed the Adams street bridge. All the shipping that had not been removed was consumed. The tar and other inflammable stuff made an intense light, and the heat can be imagined from the clouds of steam that came up from the river. The kerosene oil stores made an awful yet sublime spectacle, as the flames seemed to penetrate the very clouds. The huge iron reservoir at the gas works exploded with tremendous force and sound, demolishing several adjacent buildings.
EVERYBODY SEEMED DEMORALIZED.
The very earth seemed actually gaping out fire, flame, and smoke, as though the world itself was to be swallowed up in the conflagration. The rush from the Tremont House, when the word was given, was akin to a panic. The stairways were choked, and as the smoke from the approaching fire came in puffs through the windows, the situation seemed frightful.
In three cases persons jumped from the windows, and two children were tied up in beds and thrown from the fourth story window, and landed on the pavement uninjured. A Mr. Jarvis had a broken leg from springing from the second story window, and others were bruised from the same cause. We secured a stage and drove toward the suburbs, hoping to get away on some extra train. The horses were almost ungovernable from fright. Some of the blocks were impassable, being filled with ruins. Finally we reached a train that was just being dispatched direct for help, and by the kindness of the conductor we were taken along. We heard of several deaths and many being
SWALLOWED UP IN THE FLAMES.
Certainly there must have been great loss of life. One fireman declares that three families were surrounded and burned to death in the block bounded by Adams, Jackson, Canal, and Water streets. We saw groups of all classes of people in the streets, some hatless, coatless, barefoot, and shivering. Some of these were of the wealthier class. They were shelterless, homeless, poverty-stricken and broken-hearted. The agony of the mind in some cases, where relatives were searching hopelessly for missing ones, was pitiable to witness. No one said anything. There was no chance. We threw our trunks into the street, but there we had to leave them.
A Cheering Day.
Last Sabbath was a good day with our people at Battle Creek. We spoke in the morning, and Mrs. W. in the afternoon. Then followed a good social meeting. We are much encouraged. Brn. Howland from Maine, and Abbey from New York, are workers in the cause here, and are highly prized. Laborers are wanted.
Please Pay Pledges.
By James White
Those who have given their pledges of stock in the Publishing Association and the Health Institute will confer a favor to pay them as soon as convenient.
JAMES WHITE, Pres't S. D. A. P. A.
Wanted at this Office.
By Editor
Those who have on hand such works as the Kingdom of God, by J. H. Waggoner, History of the Sabbath, Testimony to the Church, Nos. 17 and 18, to the amount of five dollars’ worth, will please return them to this Office by express at our expense, and we will pay them for the books.
JOHN MATTHESON
By John Mattheson
From our Brethren in Chicago.
THE principal part of Chicago is a heap of ruins. Its vanity and pride have been somewhat purged by fire, its terrible wickedness somewhat punished by the flames. Saturday night about six acres burned down on the west side, from Twelfth Street northward along the river. Sunday night the work of destruction commenced again about ten o’clock, on the south side. From Van Buren Street it swept everything away clear to the lake and the river. Thence the fire spread on the north side, where it was only bounded by the river toward the west, and the lake toward the east. Toward the north it went about to city limits. This is a distance of nearly five miles long and two miles wide on the widest. In twenty hours this was all burnt down.
Such a sea of fire gives the Bible-reader a vivid idea of the last great day. Such ruins speak loudly. “The world passeth away and the lust thereof.” How sweet then the Bible promise: “But he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.” Such punishments point to a just God, who is no respecter of persons. And such utter helplessness (for at an early hour the waterworks were injured by the fire and the water failed so that all their great engines could do comparatively nothing,) points to the great God as the only ruler and disposer of events. Now all their banks and insurance companies, in which men trusted, have themselves become a prey to the flames. How much better and safer to have a treasure in Heaven.
What a pitiful sight to see more than one hundred thousand people homeless, multitudes lying in the streets and on the prairies. The west side is mercifully spared. The large churches, halls, and schools, are crowded with people. The court is in the old Congregational edifice. The City Council in the new. Here, thousands of people are thronging to get a free pass on the railroad, which is given by the city to all suffering ones who wish to go into the country; there, clothes are distributed; in another place, food. Here shanties are being built on whole blocks to provide shelter. Many people are burnt to death, others crippled. Water is selling for five cents a pail; but yesterday they had a new engine put in and water commenced to run a little in the hydrants again.
Several persons have been caught trying to set fire also on this side; some of them have been killed instantly by the enraged people, others have been arrested.
The west side is all astir now with business, and there is much better order than could be expected after such a conflagration. Our meeting-house will soon be enclosed, but how much further we can go under the present embarrassing circumstances, depends on the favor of the Lord. The brethren have escaped from this destruction, only one of them lost his tools.
JOHN MATTHESON
21 Elston Road, Chicago, Ill., Oct. 12, 1871.
English Bibles.
By Editor
We have on hand a good supply of English Bibles which we offer, post paid, at the following prices:
Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the REVIEW & HERALD to which the money receipted pays—which should correspond with the Numbers on the Papers. If money to the paper is not in due time acknowledged, immediate notice of the omission should then be given.
$1.00 each. E Martin 39-20, Lydia Brewster 40-13, T M Foster 39-1, C Nelson 39-14, Henry Hull 39-16, Ira Abbey 39-18, H K Pike 39-1, Mrs A Corkins 39-10, G W Amadon 39-1, Josiah Dorcas 39-12, J B McNutt 39-1, R Hutchins 39-11, A M Mann 39-2, N J Clarke 39-15, S McFerren 38-1, Hattie Phillips 40-9, H M Bailey 40-1, Bowers Blake 38-8, L E Gallemore 39-15.
$1.50 each. Elitha Raymond 41-1, A McClure 40-18, A Jefferey 40-18, Olive S Knight 39-18, L Kellogg 39-14, M Nelson 40-1, C B Hall 40-18, I Halsted 40-18, A K Atteberry 40-18, N H Ordway 39-2, T P Frost 40-18, G C King 40-18.
$2.00 each. W B Castle 41-22, J B Ingalls 41-1, John Roushey 40-14, Isaac Andrus 40-13, A O Kellogg 40-14, J B Canright 40-18, E O Fish 39-1, Mrs H. Beecher 40-13, John Lindsey 40-10, I Abrams 41-5, Mary A Clement 40-1, Mrs C Morrison 40-18, H G Cahoon 40-18, Richard Martz 40-16, C L Palmer 52-1, Mrs S M Ross 40-1, Thomas Cofoot 40-18, Betsey Judd 40-11, Dunham Moser 40-15, Geo Hendry 40-9, F Greenman 41-1, Mary Borden 41-1, Thomas White 40-12, B Wright 40-16, Geo Bisel 40-12, D A Hill 39-16, J M Seeley 40-1, Albert Wike 40-1, M A Graham 40-1, Mrs J Craw 40-1, E Herbert 39-21, Mary Holton 40-13, R J Shafer 40-18, C W Comings 40-15.
Miscellaneous. James West 50c 39-14, Mrs E C Gardiner $4.00 40-20, J H Cook 3.50 41-1, Geo Banks 1.60 39-1, M Wick 1.60 39-16, Eugenia Piper 50c 39-5, M E Harris 4.00 41-19, Cornelia Mack 2.50 36-14, M Bounds 3.00 40-1, W Arthur 3.00 39-14, Inez Lamb 50c 37-14, H B Chase 75c 39-18, V Fairbanks 3.00 36-1.
Donation to S. D. A. P. Association.
J G Smith $1.00, a friend 5.00, Betsey Judd 100.00.
General Conference Fund.
Ohio Conference $150.00, Mrs C Vangorder 5.00.
Michigan Conference Fund.
Church at Locke $10.00, Ransom 57.50.
Shares in the Health Institute.
Thomas Alverson $25.00, Wm Herald 25.00, W T Carson 10.00, Geo Smith 15.00, A T Oxley 25.00, Fanny Glasscock 20.00, Emma E Sturges 25.00, Sarah Sturges 25.00, Harriet J Farnsworth 25.00.
Donations to Health Institute.
Sarah J Bowers $10.00, E M Chamberlain 1.00, Matilda Avery 25c, Belle Clarke 50c, a friend 25.00, Dunham Moser 5.00, J G Smith 1.00, Hugh Overmire 2.00, Wm T Seward 5.00, John R Elliot 5.00.
Shares in Publishing Association.
Garrett Cruzan $10.00, E C Penn 10.00, Wm Herald 10.00, Delotoy C Stohn 10.00, Mary E Guilford 10.00, Wm W Putman 10.00, F R Richmond 20.00, Emma E Sturges 10.00, Sarah Sturges 10.00.
Books Sent by Express.
D H Lamson, Memphis, Mich., care of H S Gurney, $33.45.
Books Sent by Freight.
J H Cook, Mound City, Kan., $40.00, C O Taylor, Adams Center, Jefferson Co., N. Y., 45.00.
Books Sent by Mail.
E M Chamberlain $2.66, P King 35c, H C Green 35c, E O Edson 70c, T F Emmons 4.00, Geo W Berry 1.10, E E Sturges 2.75, M Calkins 10c, R Ferguson 40c, Stout Atteberry 65c, Wm Morton 4.75, A W Maxson 15c, L E Gallemore 50c, D Malin 4.50.
Cash Received on Account.
A A Hutchins $14.85, C Seaward 6.98, M M Covert (for camp-meeting bills) 3.00, W Chinnock (for camp-meeting bills) 4.50, Mrs Clara F Hurlburt 65c, R F Andrews 2.00, Geo W Barker 35.00.
Book Fund—$10,000 Wanted.
Amount received heretofore $3965.90.
Five Dollars Each.—Mrs N B Cole (thank-offering).
Miscellaneous.—L Brewster $3.00.
Books, Pamphlets, Tracts, &c.,
ISSUED BY THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION, AND FOR SALE AT THIS OFFICE.
Hymn Book. This is a book of 320 pp. of Hymns, and 96 pp. of music. In plain morocco, $1.00; in extra binding, $1.50.
Thoughts on the Revelation, critical and practical. By Uriah Smith. This is a work of 328 pp., of great value to the student of prophecy. $1.00.
History of the Sabbath and the First Day of the Week. By J. N. Andrews. 342 pp., $1.00.
Life Incidents, in connection with the great Advent Movement. By Eld. James White. 373 pp., $1.00.
The Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. I. By Ellen G. White; 416 pp. Vol. II. will be ready soon. Each $1.00.
Autobiography of Eld. Joseph Bates, embracing a long life on shipboard, &c., with a brief account of the author's experience in the great Advent Movement of 1840-44, with author's portrait. 318 pp., $1.00.
How to Live; comprising a series of articles on Health, and how to preserve it, with various recipes for cooking healthful food, &c. 400 pp., $1.00.
Sabbath Readings; or Moral and Religious Reading for Youth and Children. 400 pp., 60 cts. The same in five pamphlets, 50 cts.
Appeal to Youth; Address at the Funeral of Henry N. White; also a brief narrative of his life, experience, and last sickness, with his mother's letters, &c. 96 pp., muslin, 40 cts. Paper covers, 10 cts.
The Game of Life Illustrated, with Explanatory Notes, and Introduction by Eld. James White. This is one of the most instructive and impressive little works ever published. It has three illustrations, 5x6 inches each, representing Satan playing with man for his soul; 1. The game in progress; 2. The game lost; 3. The game won. In board, 50 cts.; in paper, 30 cts.
The Advent Keepsake; comprising a text of Scripture for each day of the year, on the Second Advent, the Resurrection, &c. Muslin, 25 cts.; do., gilt, 40 cts.
A Solemn Appeal relative to Solitary Vice, and the Abuses and Excesses of the Marriage Relation. Edited by Eld. James White. Muslin, 50 cts.; paper, 30 cts.
Sermons on the Sabbath and Law; embracing an outline of the Biblical and Secular History of the Sabbath for 6000 years, and a refutation of the Sunday-seventh-day theories of Mede, Jennings, Akers, and Fuller. By J. N. Andrews. 30 cts.
Our Faith and Hope, No. 1. Sermons on the Millennium, Second Advent, the Kingdom, the Judgment, the Time, the Sanctuary, and Saving Faith. No. 2 will be ready soon. 20 cts. each.
The Atonement; an Examination of a Remedial System in the light of Nature and Revelation. By J. H. Waggoner. 20 cts.
The Nature and Tendency of Modern Spiritualism. By J. H. Waggoner. 20 cts.
The Bible from Heaven; or, a Dissertation on the Evidences of Christianity. 25 cts.
History of the Doctrine of the Immortality of the Soul. By D. M. Canright. 25 cts.
Review of Objections to the Visions. 20 cts.
Discussion on the Sabbath Question, between Elds. Grant and Cornell. 20 cts.
The Ministration of Angels; and the Origin, History, and Destiny, of Satan. By D. M. Canright. 15 cts.
The Three Messages of Rev. 14, and the Two-Horned Beast. By J. N. Andrews. 15 cts.
Which? Mortal or Immortal? an Inquiry into the Present Constitution and Future Condition of Man. By Uriah Smith. 15 cts.
The Resurrection of the Unjust; a Vindication of the Doctrine. By J. H. Waggoner. 15 cts.
The Seventh Part of Time; a Sermon on the Sabbath Question. By W. H. Littlejohn. 10 cts.
The Truth Found; the Nature and Obligation of the Sabbath of the Fourth Commandment. By J. H. Waggoner. 10 cts.
Review of Gilfillan, and other authors, on the Sabbath. By T. B. Brown. 10 cts.
Vindication of the True Sabbath. By J. W. Morton. 10 cts.
The Date of the Seventy Weeks of Dan. 9; an Explanation of the Commandment to Restore and Build Jerusalem. By J. N. Andrews. 10 cts.
The Seven Trumpets; an Exposition of Rev. 8 and 9. 10 cts.
Matthew Twenty-Four; a full Exposition of the chapter. By James White. 10 cts.
Key to Prophetic Chart. The symbols of Daniel and John explained, and the periods determined. 10 cts.
The Position and Work of the True People of God under the Third Angel's Message. By W. H. Littlejohn. 10 cts.
An Appeal to the Baptists, from the Seventh-day Baptists, for the Restoration of the Bible Sabbath. 5 cts.
Milton on the State of the Dead. 5 cts.
Three-Cent Tracts: The Second Advent—The Millennium—The Kingdom—The Law and the Gospel—The Seventh Part of Time—Much in Little—The Sin of Witchcraft—Perpetuity of Spiritual Gifts—Celestial Railroad—Scripture References.
Two-Cent Tracts: The Sufferings of Christ—Seven Reasons for Sunday-Keeping Examined—Who Changed the Sabbath?—Sabbath by Elihu—The Rich Man and Lazarus—Institution of the Sabbath—Popular Objections to the Resurrection of the Body—Positive Institutions.
One-Cent Tracts: Appeal on Immortality—Brief Thoughts on Immortality—Thoughts for the Candid—Judson on Dress—Personality of God—Sign of the Day of God—Time Lost; Old and New Style—The Two Laws—What is Truth?
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Address REVIEW & HERALD, BATTLE CREEK, MICH.
To the Churches of the N. Y. and Pa. Conference.
By R. F. Cottrell
THE churches of this Conference will please report, not to me, but to the present secretary, S. B. Whitney, Keene, Essex Co., N. Y. The Conference year beginning hereafter on the first of August, the several quarters will end on the last days of October, January, April, and July. So the several reports will be due on the first of November, February, May, and August. R. F. Cottrell.
Treasurer's Post Office Address for New York and Pennsylvania Conference
THE P. O. address of A. M. Green, treasurer of the N. Y. and Pa. State Conference, is Adams Center, Jefferson Co., N. Y.