1853, September 7th, P.W. Gates & Co., Machine Shop Fire, Chicago.

The alarm of fire at 7 o'clock proceeded from a large three-story brick building on West Water Street, owned and occupied by P.W. Gates & Co., as a Car and Machine Shop. The fire caught in a fuel pen adjoining the engine spread rapidly to all parts of the building. The walls were left standing, but the roof and floors fell in, and the interior was totally destroyed. The woodwork for 60 cars was all ready for use but is a total loss. The full extent of the damages is about $15K. No insurance.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D. 

1853, September 1st, An Incendiary Fire, Chicago.

The alarm of fire at 11 o'clock was caused by the burning of three small sheds in an alley in the rear of J.C. Outhet's Wagon Shop on Franklin Street. There was almost $500 ($20K today) worth of smoked meat in one of the sheds, and the whole loss is about $1,600 ($63,500 today). The fire was the work of an incendiary. The premises adjoining were fired a few nights since but were extinguished without alarm. Several persons about town are watching their stores and dwellings, knowing incendiaries to be lurking about. It is for the safety of every individual to keep a strict lookout.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.