On October 8th, 1871, the Great Chicago Fire began. It burned down homes, killed hundreds, and demolished buildings. $200 million worth of buildings were destroyed. It is rumored that the fire was started by Catherine O’Leary’s cow who knocked over a lighted lantern.
Chicago didn’t stand a chance against the fire. Barely any rain had fallen in months. Buildings, sidewalks, and roads were made of wood. Because of the dry weather, everything made of wood was dry and acted as excellent fuel to the fire. The fire led to nothing but disaster and devastation to Chicago as well as my family.
I remember when the fire came so clearly, the memory branded into my brain. My family and I were sitting at the dinner table and we’d just finished saying grace. …show more content…
I turned around and saw Ma still staring out the window. She was completely still, as if she’d been petrified. Her hands were by her side, eyes wide, mouth closed. What is she doing? I thought, we’ve got to get out of here! With the fire coming closer to our house, I finally said something. “Ma come on we have to go! Pa is waiting outside with Emma, Eric and Jackson. Immediately, ma whipped her head around and looked at me. Her face full of panic, nodded and grabbed my hand. We ran outside. Once we were outside, Pa was waiting with our wheelbarrow. Frantically, he explained how he and ma were going back in the house to get valuables. He estimated that there was about 5 minutes before the house caught fire. Finally out of her daze, Ma turned towards me. “Anna, she said, “take your brothers and sister away from the house. If your pa and I don’t come out, do not go in the house.” By this time she and I were both in tears. “Remember when I told you about heaven?” She asked. “Yes Mama,” I sniffled. “If we don’t come out alive, just now that that’s where we are, in Heaven, okay?” I nodded and tried to hold back my tears. She gave me a tight hug and ran inside. Pa had already brought our all of our dining chairs and small wooden table. He was working on bringing out a faded chair from the living
Chicago didn’t stand a chance against the fire. Barely any rain had fallen in months. Buildings, sidewalks, and roads were made of wood. Because of the dry weather, everything made of wood was dry and acted as excellent fuel to the fire. The fire led to nothing but disaster and devastation to Chicago as well as my family.
I remember when the fire came so clearly, the memory branded into my brain. My family and I were sitting at the dinner table and we’d just finished saying grace. …show more content…
I turned around and saw Ma still staring out the window. She was completely still, as if she’d been petrified. Her hands were by her side, eyes wide, mouth closed. What is she doing? I thought, we’ve got to get out of here! With the fire coming closer to our house, I finally said something. “Ma come on we have to go! Pa is waiting outside with Emma, Eric and Jackson. Immediately, ma whipped her head around and looked at me. Her face full of panic, nodded and grabbed my hand. We ran outside. Once we were outside, Pa was waiting with our wheelbarrow. Frantically, he explained how he and ma were going back in the house to get valuables. He estimated that there was about 5 minutes before the house caught fire. Finally out of her daze, Ma turned towards me. “Anna, she said, “take your brothers and sister away from the house. If your pa and I don’t come out, do not go in the house.” By this time she and I were both in tears. “Remember when I told you about heaven?” She asked. “Yes Mama,” I sniffled. “If we don’t come out alive, just now that that’s where we are, in Heaven, okay?” I nodded and tried to hold back my tears. She gave me a tight hug and ran inside. Pa had already brought our all of our dining chairs and small wooden table. He was working on bringing out a faded chair from the living