answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

Nobody knows for sure the answer to this question. The fire began in or near a barn on DeKoven St. belonging to Mrs. Catherine O'Leary.

There is a colorful legend that persists to this day, that the fire was started by a cow, belonging to Mrs. O'Leary, kicking over a lantern. While Mrs. O'Leary, and presumably her cow as well, were real, the story was published because it simply made a good story. This is one of many examples of the Yellow Journalism of the period, and apparently, Mrs. O'Leary spent the rest of her days unhappily in the public eye, blamed for the huge fire until the end of her life.

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

The Urban Legend blames it on a lantern being kicked over by Mrs. O'Leary's cow.
That remains a mystery, but Catherine O'Leary's cow was not guilty. That was a bit of creative writing which the reporter added as good copy.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

6y ago

The origin of the fire remains unknown, but the story about the O'Leary cow kicking over a lantern has been discounted.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

That remains an unknown, but it was not Catherine O'Leary's cow.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

The cause of the fire remains unknown, but it was not Catherine O'Leary's cow.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

6y ago

The Chicago Fire had nothing to do with a meteor. It was very dry conditions. Wisconsin had the Peshtigo Fire on the same day.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

It remains of unknown origin, but it was not Catherine O'Leary's cow.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: How the Chicago fire of 1871 started?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

When did the great Chicago fire start?

The Chicago Fire started on October 8, 1871.


What started the Chicago fire?

The origin of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 remains unknown.


Do we actually know for sure who and how the great fire of Chicago started in 1871?

No. We do not know for sure who and how someone started the great fire of Chicago in 1871 and we probably never will since there are no eye-witnesses.


Why did Chicago fire of 1871 happen?

The cause of the Great Chicago Fire remains unknown, but is was not started by Catherine O'Leary's cow.


When did the great Chicago fire happen?

the great Chicago fire was first started on a Sunday evening between 9 and 10 on october 8 1871.


How did the Chicago Fire get their name?

It came from the great Chicago fire of 1871


Chicago fire started in o'Leary barn in 1871 why are there firefighter still at the site today?

So Chicago never forgets the "Great" fire, the Fire Department Academy was built on the site.


When was Chicago's great fire?

In 1871.


What year is the Chicago fire?

The Great Chicago Fire occurred in October of 1871.


Was there ever a city in the United States set on fire by a cow?

The traditional account of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 says it was started by a cow owned by Patrick and Catherine O'Leary kicked over a lantern in a barn and started the fire.


How long did the Great Chicago Fire burn in 1871?

The Chicago Fire burned for 3 days on October 8, 9, and 10, 1871.


What year was the Chicago fire?

The Great Chicago Fire was October 8th to 10th, 1871.