The Grea Calamity

The Great Fire of 1871 was one of the most colossal disasters in American history. Overnight, the flourishing city of Chicago was turned into a smoldering wasteland. The damage was so profound that few people believed the city could ever rise again.

There had been little rain that year, and various other fires occurred. More than 600 fires occurred in 1870, and 27 in the first week of October alone. Murphy 19-20) Most of these fires originated in barns because of the highly flammable hay located there. Lanterns would be knocked over, and flames would catch the hay causing fire to break out.

The evening of October 8, 1871 was unusually warm. There had been a strong wind coming off the prairie all day. Chicago had also been going through a drought that made grasses, wood, and everything else in the city extremely dry. (Murphy 13) These conditions were just right for a fire. Little did people know, that the wind and drought were going to help destroy their magnificent city.

Moreover, Chicago in 1871 was a city ready to burn. The city boasted having 59,500 buildings, many of them-- such as the courthouse and the tribune building-- large and intricately decorated. The trouble was that about two-thirds of all these stru

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The O'Leary's remained asleep until one citizen went directly to their door and began to pound on it. Fireman Dorsey, a Chicago firefighter, raced through the streets to the closest signal box. Some felt that they had to take their own life due to their financial loss. " Construction of hotels, factories, civic and office buildings, and housing began. The wind and updraft lifted flames hundreds of feet into the sky and created such a bright light that it reminded some people of daylight. Paul's Church four blocks behind the firefighters. (Murphy 80-81)

The firefighters fell back to establish a new line against the advancing fire. The business sold tobacco, cigars, grapes, apples, and cider. (Murphy 80)

Not only was the fire's heat burning the firefighters, it was also creating a powerful updraft that sucked flaming embers and pieces of cloth and wood into the air. Realizing they needed more help, Chief Marshal Williams managed to get a thin circle of engines around the fire. (Murphy 60)

Now, the scene of confusion had reached its height. (Murphy 32-33)

At once, people attempted to get the message out with the fire alarm system, the courthouse bell, and even telegrams. The flourishing city of Chicago rose through the ashes and reclaimed its title as "Queen of the West. The fire was beginning to spread to that area, because of the strong wind, so they stayed there and put out the oncoming blaze.

Approximate Word count = 1995
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)

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