Leader-Telegram from Eau Claire, Wisconsin • E6

he devastation occurred 142 years ago, but the fire remains a subject on the local online front page, where an easy-to-find link leads to somber details: One million acres burned. At least 1,200 lives lost. A dreams destroyed in minutes. City Reborn from the Ashes of Most Disastrous Forest how the Peshtigo Times frames the lumber identity. The catastrophic Peshtigo fire on Oct.

8, 1871, gets overlooked because the less deadly but better publicized Great Chicago Fire happened the same day, killing 300 and gutting 2,100 acres of the major U.S. city, leaving 100,000 homeless. population in 1871 was 324,000. was 1,750 now it is 3,500. 1870, the wood industry was the heartbeat of this explained Pauline King, a volunteer guide at Peshtigo Fire Museum in Marinette County.

first mayor, William Ogden, owned Peshtigo a lumber mill and the largest producer of woodenware, including shingles, broom handles and buckets. All that remained after the fire were the contents of a fireproof safe or, as King told it, ledger with the Before the fire, the last measurable rain happened in early July. Because of the drought, the people in Peshtigo were used to dealing with fire during the summer of 1871 but the October blaze was different. Tornado-level winds from a cold front increased the velocity of an evening blaze, and wiped out the area in an King said. The few survivors fled, in nightclothes, to the Peshtigo River and dipped themselves in the cold water all through the night to avoid being burned or overcome with smoke.

they finally could leave the river at King said, rolled over and over on the riverbanks to try and get warm Fifty years have passed since the volunteer-run museum opened as a way for local residents to make sure the story of Peshtigo die. Most amazing are the three display cases filled with artifacts and stories that survived the smoke and blaze. Among the simple remnants of history: A Roman Catholic church tabernacle, taken to the river by a priest, was found intact three days after the fire. A local Bible also was found floating in the river. The remains of a watch helped members of one family identify the ashes of their former home.

the rush to the river all they took was a blanket which they kept wet and over their writes a son, W.H. Bentley of Breckenridge, Minn. blanket saved their Sidonia Tagatz of Neshkoro donated a brooch and earrings worn by her grandmother on the night of the fire, with this explanation: two sons were running with her to get to the safety of a plowed field when she died of a heart attack. They dropped her and she was found later, burned. They made a casket of charred boards and buried her in the Harmony Cemetery, where other victims of the fire were Surrounding the fire artifacts are rooms containing typical attire, furnishings and appliances of the 1870s.

These donations came from neighboring towns not damaged by the Peshtigo fire. The museum is housed in a former Congregational church. A short stroll outside it leads to a mass grave where the bodies of about 350 fire victims who be identified were buried. About 75 of the victims lived at Peshtigo boarding house, completely consumed by fire that one could not tell man from woman or child from Plaques of explanation also say some bodies were intact, no trace of but the victims were overcome by smoke. As time marches on, finding devoted stewards of the museum becomes more difficult.

Many of the volunteers are in their 80s. really are in need of younger King acknowledged, to keep the life- changing story from being lost with the passage of time. Your column feedback and ideas are welcome. Write to or Midwest Features, P.O. Box 259623, Madison, WI 53725.

A museum aims to preserve the history of the Peshtigo re in northern Wisconsin Travel EADER -T ELEGRAM Travel Editor Blythe Wachter 715-830-5828 800-236-7077 blythe.wachter@ecpc.com 6E Sunday October 6 2013 Mary Bergin 702453 5-5-13 OCTOBER SPECIAL Your Home Town Health Care Company GRACE HOME RESPIRATORY, INC. 715-832-7377 TOLL FREE 877-230-1622 E-mail: www.ghr-ec.com 2204 N. Hillcrest Pkwy Suite 2 Altoona, WI 54720 OFF CPAP PILLOWS AND CLEANING SUPPLIES OFFER ENDS 722103 10-2-13 of what going www.homespuntours.com CALL FOR DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY or CATALOG 855-720-9002 715-720-9000 or 855-720-9002 Departing from Eau Claire Chippewa Falls CHRISTMAS in CHICAGO Friday, November 29 Sunday, December 1, 2013 INCLUDES: Motorcoach and Driver Experienced Tour Manager 2 Nights Lodging at Hyatt Suites (Suites includes Dinner Cocktails both Nights) with Indoor Pool, Hot Tub, and Lounge 6 Meals Christmas Around the World at the Museum of Science and Industry Shopping on Michigan Avenue Shopping at Wood eld Mall Sauna Baggage Handling for One Suitcase (Per-Person). Taxes included on all included features. CHRISTMAS IN NASHVILLE Friday, December 6 Wednesday, December 11, 2013 Tour includes: Luxury Motorcoach and Experienced Driver Experienced Tour Manager 5 Nights Lodging (3 Nights in Atrium Rooms with Balcony at Gaylord Opryland Hotel) 9 Meals Grand Ole Opry in the Ryman Auditorium Dinner and Show with Lori Morgan Radio Rockettes General Jackson Lunch Cruise with Entertainment Ice Palace Carvings Admission to Show at Opryland Hotel Country Music Hall of Fame Narrated Tour of Nashville Baggage Handling for One Suitcase (Per-Person) at All Lodging.

Note: Taxes are included on all included features. Left: A painting inside Peshtigo Fire Museum in Marinette County depicts the horrendous circumstances of Oct. 8, 1871. The Peshtigo fire burned more than 3.7 million acres in Wisconsin and Michigan. Below: This Bible was found floating in the Peshtigo River after the fire that forever changed the northern Wisconsin community.

Museum artifacts come from neighboring communities because the ordinary possessions of 1,870 Peshtigo residents were destroyed in the blaze. Lower left: Artifacts from everyday life in the 1870s hold special meaning at the museum. Contributed photos A mass grave near the museum holds the remains of about 350 Peshtigo fire victims. If you go What: Peshtigo Fire Museum. Where: 400 Oconto Ave.

When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily from Memorial Day weekend until Oct. 8, when closing ceremonies include a bell ringing and music by the local high school band. Admission: By donation. Information: 715-5823244, peshtigofiremuseum.

org. More about the fire: The Peshtigo fire burned more than 3.7 million acres in Wisconsin and Michigan. Federal authorities estimate at least 1,500 people died in the fire, including 800 in Peshtigo alone. Despite the devastation and the fact it killed more people than any fire since, it was overshadowed by the Great Chicago Fire, which began the same day, foresthistory.org says. Extras The Wisconsin Historical Society Press recently published book Great Peshtigo Fire: Stories and Science from Deadliest by Scott Knickelbine The previous titles include Great Peshtigo Fire: An Eyewitness by the Rev.

Peter Pernin Other books about the fire include the Peshtigo Lived at Peshtigo by F.C. Burke; and by Alice Judy Behrend. Order those by calling the Peshtigo Times at 715-5824541. eshtigo Staff graphi.