THE CHICAGO FIRE – THE COMPLETE STORY….IN A CHICAGO NEWSPAPER!

chicago-fire-mh.jpgDID MRS. O’ LEARY’S COW START THE FIRE? – YES, REPORTS THIS PAPER!

The Chicago Times
October 18, 1871

Large front page single-column headlines begin the Times’ full report on how the fire began, how it raged through the city destroying everything in its path, and the aftermath. “THE FIRE. A Resume of the Great Calamity. Detailed Account of the Origin and Progress. The Destructive Advance of the Flames Through the City. The Chicago of the Future,” and more.

Incredibly, a large part of the report talks about an “old Irish woman” (Mrs. O’Leary) who went to check on her cow, taking with her a lamp. “In a moment the cow had accidentally kicked over the lamp, an explosion followed, and in an instant the structure was enveloped in flames.” This is the only newspaper we have seen with this report. The offices of the Times were burned in the fire, and this edition was printed in another building.

Four pages, huge margins, old folds, and in fine condition. and filled with insurance ads owing to the Chicago Fire. I can’t begin to stress the rarity of this original historic newspaper. You’ll read this newspaper all night long before sharing it with other history buffs!

$4,500

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Posted by mmitchell | Filed Under All Historic Newspapers, Late 19th Century