Introduction
It was a dry Sunday evening, October 8th, 1871, in Chicago and many families had finished supper and chores. Some complained about the lack of rain and how dusty the houses had become. Others complained of the endless fire bells and shouts from the fire captains. On the west side, the O'Leary family had turned in for the night while the McLaughlin family who lived immediately in front were celebrating with friends. Suddenly, there was a shout heard in the street " Ring the fire alarm, the O'Leary's barn is on fire!!!!"
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