October 7th, 1871

On October 8th, 1871, the Great Chicago Fire erupted in Illinois, killing nearly 200 people, destroying 17,500 buildings, and leaving thousands homeless.  Sadly, this tragic event is known by most Americans, but do you know what happened the day before?

Well, on October 7th, 1871, the most DEVASTATING fire in U.S. history began in Wisconsin (nearly 250 miles away from Chicago).  Sometimes referred to as the Peshtigo Fire (a town named after a lumber and sawmill company), the fire rapidly spread out of control.  Within a day, nearly 1,200 people lost their lives and BILLIONS of trees were burned.

What started the fire?  Know one knows for sure, but when the "slash and burn" method for clearing farmland is coupled with one of the driest seasons on record, the risk of a disaster was high.

The village of Sugar Bush was the first to feel the wrath.  Everyone was killed.  Then, Peshtigo was next.  When the swift-moving flames reached the town, they were over 200 feet high and temperatures had reached nearly 2,000 degrees!  In one tavern, two hundred people died; in the river, several died from drowning; and INSIDE a water tank, three were boiled to death.

In the end, it was a disaster like no other.  However, it was merely a footnote in most American newspapers due to the Great Chicago Fire that started the next day. 

What can be learned from this tidbit of history?  Well, a couple things come to mind.  First, important events in life are sometimes overlooked by the masses.  And second, life-changing events that don't become "big news" can still effect our lives -- whether it be physically (as in the case of the Peshtigo Fire) or spiritually (as in the case of people turning their lives to Christ on a daily basis).

• Post A Comment! • Send to a Friend!