Was a cow responsible for the Great Chicago Fire?
If you are familiar with American history, you might have heard about the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. This incident had wreaked havoc all across Chicago, one of the largest and busiest US cities. But do you know the crazy story behind the fire? Well, as it turns out, it all started with a cow. Are you flummoxed? Let us give you a low-down on this landmark incident of history.
The deadly night of 1871
Long summer and very little rain made 1871 a fateful year for Chicago. During this time, severe drought had consumed the entire city. Thanks to dry weather conditions and swirling winds, the city experienced frequent fires. Most buildings of Chicago were made of wood which might have also contributed to the spreading of fire.
What happened on the night of 8th October that year was utterly out of the blue. A fire broke out in a barn owned by Patrick and Catherine O’Leary. Who knew this incident would burn down the heart of Chicago’s commercial district within two days! The destruction was so massive and widespread that the fire department and other disaster management services failed to bring the flames under control. Fortunately, two days later, rains came to their rescue. However, it was too late as the damage and devastation caused were immense and permanent. More than 300 people lost their lives, and 17500 buildings were destroyed. Because of this incident, one-third of the city’s population became homeless.
The mystery of O’Leary’s cow
Many believe that an innocent cow was responsible for the Great Chicago Fire. Several sources suggest that it was O’Leary’s cow that had accidentally kicked over a lantern, setting the surrounding hay on fire. The fire spread quickly due to strong south-westerly winds. But whether or not a cow contributed to it remains a mystery.
Decades later, the reporter who was supposedly the first to report about the fire confessed how he had made up the entire cow story. He thought the news would sell like hot cakes and, in turn, more copies. Of course, little did he know then the extent of the fire would be so massive.
Until 1997, Mrs. O’Leary and her cow were held accountable for the fire, long after their death. But why Mrs. O’Leary? A version of the story suggests that Mrs. O’Leary may have done something to trouble the innocent animal, resulting in this historical fire. However, without proof, we might never get a confirmation of the cow story.
Gambling, stealing or comets may have caused the fire
There were three more popular theories surrounding the cause of the Great Chicago Fire. One is that a group of gamblers playing in the barn may have knocked over a lantern. Years later, a man named Louis M. Cohn admitted to have knocked down a lantern while escaping from the game. Experts believe that this could have just been another make-up story for attention. Wait, the list of theories doesn’t end here. According to some, a thief had knocked over a lantern while stealing milk from the barn. Another bizarre theory is that a comet from outer space may have struck Chicago that night, starting the spark. Needless to say, none of these theories has.