Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 August 1908 — TWAS A BIG FIRE. [ARTICLE]

TWAS A BIG FIRE.

J. Montgomery was in Chicago uesday and visited the fire district, here Monday’s big fire was. Jack says there were still twelve engines playing on the ruins when he was there and the havoc wrought by the flames was simply immense. XAhout

100 loaded freight cars were consumed and the half burned contents of these and the big freight house were scattered all about. A carload or two of lead pencils were among the freight partly burned, and Jack brought home a few as souvenirs, presenting The Democrat with one. The fire was the hottest one that the Chicago firemen ever had to contend with, and that it did not get clear away from them and wipe out the most of the city is indeed remarkable.