Monday, October 9, 1871

(St. Louis, Mo.) Up at 7.10. Very warm day. Sent out washing. Called at Paxson's office. Ensign had gone to Chicago. Great fire raging there. Excitement in St. Louise. Wrote Alice & Johnny too. Called at Brawner's office. Rode with him to Exchange to attend meeting in aid of Chicago sufferers. Again at Paxson's & Brawner's. After dinner, packed & bought ticket. Shopped about town. Off at 5.30 via Vandalia & Pan Handle route for New York. Wrote up diary. Supped at Vandalia. Wrote in evening. Retired at 10.30.

(Great Chicago Fire http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Chicago_Fire)