Escape of a Swiss Missionary from the Great Chicago Fire

An unnamed missionary, traveling from Salt Lake City to Switzerland via Chicago, found himself in Chicago during the massive fire of 1871. He describes his survival through the inferno, his experience of divine preservation of his hotel for a time, his escape with his trunk, and his final refuge at the lakefront. He also recounts witnessing the insanity of some of the victims, including a man who destroyed his own possessions before walking into the fire.

Fuller account of this event (in the witness’s own words):

I was in Chicago when the great fire broke out, and I have reason to be thankful to the Almighty for my preservation. I was on my way to Switzerland, and had stopped in Chicago for a few days. On the night of the fire I was in my hotel, and was awakened by the cry of fire. I looked out of the window and saw the heavens all aglow with the reflection of the flames. I dressed myself as quickly as possible, and taking my trunk, I started for the street. The scene was one of the most terrible that can be imagined. The air was filled with sparks and cinders, and the heat was intense. I made my way towards the lake, but the streets were so crowded with people, and the fire was spreading so rapidly, that I found it impossible to get through. I then turned back, and made my way to my hotel, which I found to be still standing, though the buildings all around it were in flames. I felt that it was a miracle that it had been preserved. I stayed there for a short time, but the fire soon reached the building, and I was obliged to leave. I took my trunk and started again for the lake. The streets were now a perfect hell. Men, women, and children were running in every direction, screaming and crying for help. I saw one man who had lost his mind, and he was throwing his clothes and everything he had into the fire, and then he walked into the flames himself. I ran with all my might through the hot, smoky streets, and came indeed to find the house yet untouched ; it looked as though the fire had purposely preserved it, whole blocks were burning before and behind it, yet it stood unharmed, and looked gloriously grand as it rose in bold relief against the red sky... I felt as though I were inhaling death with the close hot atmosphere. Already I had been knocked down by a team, but I felt unhurt, and what astonishes me to this day is, that I clung to my rope in spite of all. Making another effort which I resolved should be the last, I dragged my weakening limbs in a new direction, and through a passage which I luckily found to be safe I managed to reach the Lake on the eastern side of the city, and sinking down on the ground I thanked God I had escaped.