freely used, a great many ruffians were shot for trying to break into different places, and in return, a few respectable men were shot by them, for preventing them carrying out their purpose. One expressman that we employed was going to drop our things out on the street after he got a few yards when one of my newly made acquaintances drew his revolver, and told him he would blow his brains out if he did. He drove quietly on after that. A great many lives were lost, more than ever will be known. A lot of people congregated in the tunnel under the river (that I have described in a previous letter) and most of them were smothered or burned. There were two things that helped the fire along wonderfully. They were the wooden pavements and the quantity of things thrown out of the houses and left there. This ends my account. All being well, I will continue my usual weekly letter from this out. I am very well and hope you are the same, with kindest love to yourselves, Annie, and Alfred, I remain your affectionate son, THOMAS. You may show this letter to anyone you think would be interested in it. I cannot begin to write another so minute as this.