CHICAGO AFTER THE FIRE.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 910, 6 January 1872, Page 3

CHICAGO AFTER THE FIRE.

A despatch from Chicago, dated October 14th, says :—lt commenced raining here about six o'clock this morning, falling quite heavily for two hours, and since drizzling showers have prevailed. Never was rain more grateful. The dust from the unsprinkled streets and the burnt district, like a fall of snow, has filled the air since the fire, to the dreadful discomfort of every body. The atmosphere, too, has been so dry and hot that breathing was difficult, and the parched lips and blood-shot eyes of every one compelled to be out of doors attested the furnace-like heat which had prevailed. The apprehensions felt by the waterless inhabitants of the uuburnt portion of the city in regard to further conflagration have been greatly allayed too by these timely showers. The heavens are still overcast, and it is to be hoped that we shall have a still more abundant rain and that it may be widely extended. One day's later news says:—A furious gale prevailed in this city last night. It became almost a hurricane by twelve o'clock, but subsided before morning. It caused much alarm to the citizens, and especially those residing in the vicinity of the late fire. Firebrands were blown about in every direction. Skeleton walls were prostrated in quick succession, shaking buildings in the vicinity from foundation to apex. Much alarm prevailed, the people rushed into the streets from their dwellings, in many instances fearful that their houses would be prostrated, and they buried beneath the ruins. The excitement and alarm were scarcely less than on the night of the great disaster. Fortunately it had rained for twenty-four hours which prevented any conflagration as the result of the tornado."

From the following we notice that in Oetoher 19th, commercial activity had again set in:—" Every day increases business activity in all circles. Thousands of men are now at work in all quarters of the burnt portion on the South Side district, clearing away ruins, erecting temporary wooden structures, and laying foundations for substantial buildings of brick and stone. The weather is most promising, and should it continue so for thirty days, there will be many good buildings finished and occupied in different localities, on former business streets. Meanwhile, every available building in that part of the West Division, contiguous to the burnt district, is being fitted up by wholesale merchants, banks, offices, &c. All the old first-class hotels are again located and opened. The receipts and shipments of grain are already nearly as large as before the fire. The board of Trade is in full operation. The banks, national, savings and private institutions, have nearly all resumed, and are doing business as usual; the deposits at almost every one daily exceeding the amounts drawn out. Every daily newspaper has resumed publication in some form or other; the leading dailies in nearly the old form."