Sketch of the Great Fires in Wisconsin

Sketch of the Great Fires in Wisconsin, written by Frank Tilton in 1871, provides a detailed account of the devastating Peshtigo fire, the deadliest wildfire in U.S. history, which occurred on October 8, 1871. The fire claimed between 1,200 and 2,500 lives and destroyed approximately 1.2 to 1.5 million acres. Tilton, an editor of the Green Bay Advocate, includes firsthand accounts of the disaster and the firefighting efforts, as well as a chapter on the significant aid received from across the country and Europe, totaling around $350,000 in contributions. This work highlights the impact of the fire, often overshadowed by the Great Chicago Fire on the same day.