Box 11, Folder 3: Correspondence September-December 1871

[23 a Sam Stone]

Chicago Oct 12 '71

Brother Lapham

Dr Sir

Burnt Out, saved some clothing & furniture suffered some. Slept outside of city limits Extreme N.W.

Now at Davenport Phelps 152 Sophia St now going one mile north after clothing. Elizabeth & myself comfortable. Aunt Sarah is half mile west with Mrs Phelps

You probably know more of present Chicago than me. I have not seen a newspaper since Sunday morning

Thousand reports of the fire, not all to be credited. Many are probably burnt. I was the last person left in the Hist Socy building thought I should be burnt up.

All burnt from Harrison (from center Sec 16) between S. branch E. to Main river North crossed the river

& burnt nearly 3 miles N. (1 1/2 mile n. of my old residence) & from N. branch to Lake Shore

One great field burnt blackened trees, brick & stone walls. The Eye can see the whole terrible field at one view by turning around.

Mr. D Phelps telegraphed to you last Monday. I am out of money may get some out of the Marine Bank. Now do not know what the bank will do, they open a new this week down near University

I have not time to say more

Saml Stone

Sam'l Stone Chicago Oct 13 1871

Brother Lapham

Sir,

I am writing on bottom of drawer. No ink convenient to find Will you do me a favor as soon as you can I am out of funds I arrived in Chicago with Aunt Sarah Saturday evn'g with only few dimes I want two Hun dred dollars as follows

15 five dollar bill 75.00 in 1s & 2s 100.00 bal. in Fractions 10 cts & 25 cts 25.00 200.00

Small change quite scarce. I am owing 50.00 more for drayage & help to [too?] and more help to hire Send by Express, write & telegraph to me at 152 Sophia Steet North Division

Enclosed my check on the Chicago Marine Co for Two Hundred

dollars. hold it until you hear when the Bank opens at the new office 281 on Cottage Grove, proba bly next week.

Yesterday I took out my valuable papers - Bryant's Fidelity Depository all safe & in good order. It is uncertain now where it may go after next week I saw Mr. Barry yesterday he very warmly sends his best regards to you.

All well - Mrs. Davenport Phelps brought back to her home last Even'g.

Yours Truly Sam'l Stone

Please tell John Allcott to meet his mother at the cars Saturday Eve'g train 9 o'clock.

S.S.

Burnt Chicago Oct 13 71

Brother Lapham

We are all tumbled together. Sleep. Eat. Sit. any way and always without Swearing part of our remaining clothing and furniture heaped together in great confusion without order, some here at 152 Sophia St at Davenport Phelps balance nearly 2 miles north near Lakeshore out of the city. Not time now to find in which package a garment wanted. The weather is very favorable for the unsheltered. [illegible] provisioned waggons [wagons] in all parts of the out skirts of [five?] districts.

but one family - Malhon D. Ogden now living north of Chicago main river to N Ave (at S. end of the old CemEtary) just N. where I lived 1 1/2 miles from