Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-01-13

boarding. houses Of the city to ascertain the num-
her and tho names Of all who are missing At
the latest accounts dad bodies were continually
taken from the smoking ruins.
Previous to the dre, two sisters Were together
and comparatively unhurt. They would have
been rescued. Hearing the roar Of the flames
Another woman shrieked out piteonsly that the
nre was burning her hair, but the flames soon
after sileuced her.
1t has already been stated previously that one
Mr. Branch told his friends, who were digging
for him. that he should resort to the same means
to escape the fortunes Of the FIRE lie was persuaded
TO desist and fortunately was rescued
The awful death Of which some died by the fire
was fearfully attested by their baked and black
ened forms when AIKEN out-nut I'm ANYTHING ii Ike
those OF human beings.
INCIDENTS.
Among the many painful incidents of this
dreadful night, is the following related by one of
the IRE engineers: When the fire was beginning
10 rdge, and before il had stihed the cries and
groans OF those In the ruins, he, with others,
forced his way against the smoke and flame TO
try and rescue some OF those whose voices be could
hear
Suddenly he caught glimpse Of three persons
Imprisoned BY crumbled partition-two men
and a woman He even caught one of the men by
the hand, aud hoped to draw him out but the
cracking of the flames around him. and the
warning voice of an officer, impelled him reluc-
tautlv to desst and nv timely retreat 10 save his
injured at all. and they must have literally roasted
alive.
As a relief TO this saddenng narrative may he
mentioned the fortunate escare Of one of the f.-
male operatives. by GOODNESS which did her
Infinite credit. She was in the fifth story when
having but a moments warning of the fdll Of the
building, she sprane to the elevator she clasped
firmly hold Of one Of the hosting ropes and slid
rapidly and safely down its length through five
stories emerging from the building Jus. m season
TO escape destruction: Her name is Olive Bridges,
and she halls from Calais. Me. Througho the
whole night she was at the City Hail. passing like
an angel OF mercy among the couches Of the suf-
ferers, anticipating every want. relieving pain az
far as she was able to do so. and breathing words
OF consolation and comfort to the wounded and
dying.
Among the numerous instances of recorded suf-
fering IT may not be amiss to mention one Of a
different character. In one Of the boarding houses
opposite to the mills, family We're collected,
mourning the loss of a lady who worked i'm the
mills, when sue made her appearance shouting,
II am alive' She but sli ghtly injured
Singular to relate. it was currently reported and
generally believed that man was rescued from
the ruins at II O'Clock this forenoon only slig htly
injured. IL this were SO, il was most miraculous
preservation.
ATTEMPTED SUICIDE OF AN OvERsEER = HIS
RESCUE AND DEATH.
Among the Sufferers i'll the ruins at the time the
fire broke out was Maurice Palmer. Of Rochester
\. II an overseer. He was much beloved by bis
friends, and while the digging was going on his
voice was recognized. He was nearly reached
when the flames broke out. He implored his
friends tn save him quickly, or he should die.
They struggled to reach him, but the flames
swept around them. He was confined, and could
not assist them. As the heat Of the fire began to
he felt. his horrible death seemed inevitable, He
was able to move one hand and draw his knife,
saying he should commit suicide rather than burn
to death.
His rescuers pressed on, but his hope Of a d gave
ont, and he drew the knife across bis throat Soon
after they succeeded in removing him, and bis
self-inficted wound was not found to nc danger
Gus, but he had suffered severe internal injuries
which rendered his recovery impossible. He was
taken to the City Hall, and expired shortly after
fall. and his sufferings while immured within
the fallen walls.
beneath the ruins many sufferers could be seen
ana conversed with, and drinks and refreshments,
in some Instances, We're passed to them When
the IRE spread over the ruins and they found es-
cape hopeless, they bid adeu 10 their friends,
ana In several instances gave directions 10
what DISPOSITION shonId he made nf their effects