THE Chicago fire covered twenty-one acres, and burned two days and nights; 17,450 buildings were burned; 200 deaths resulted; and 70,000 persons were made homeless. The money loss was $190,000,000, with $7,000,000 contributed. It was largely rebuilt in a year.
The great fire in Boston in 1872 covered 65 acres, and the money loss is placed $75,000,000.
Estimating San Francisco's burned area at twelve square miles (it is given by some as high as fifteen square miles), 7,680 acres were burned. The money loss is $400,000,000 and doubtless more. The loss of life can not be estimated. With earthquake and fire, it was probably not less than 1,500. It has been estimated as high as 5,000, but this, doubtless, is exaggerated. It will be seen that it far exceeds all the other great fires. In fact, it is more than double the other three great historic fires of Chicago, Baltimore, and Boston. How soon it will be rebuilt is for the future to determine. Its donations to date are given in another column.
Redwood City Hall. This is typical of other public buildings in this beautiful little city.
Perhaps the greatest loss among Protestant denominations in San Francisco was that of the Protestant Episcopal. It figures its loss on church buildings at $429,000, and estimates that its other losses to clergymen and institutions will bring the total up to a full million. The Congregationalists report the loss of six of their churches in San Francisco, besides much damage in other cities. The Baptists report five churches destroyed and twelve others damaged. The Home Missionary Society of that church asks for $170,000 for rebuilding only. Three Presbyterian churches were burned, and several others wrecked in the cities around the Bay. The United Presbyterians had one church destroyed and one shattered. They ask for $15,000. The Lutherans report the loss of twelve churches and missions. The Church Extension Society of the Methodist Church has made an appeal for $250,000 for rebuilding California churches. At a recent session of Methodists at Evanston, Ill., it was voted to raise $500,000 for that purpose. A meeting of prominent laymen asks for $1,000,000. None of the churches belonging to the Seventh-day Adventists were ruined by the temblor or consumed in the fire, tho some of them lost considerable plaster. The Santa Rosa church did not even lose its chimney. The loss to the Catholics from fire and earthquake is over $5,000,000.
