, 1861-03-21
MOST SHOCKING CALAMITY.
THE FIRE ON DIVISION STREET.
TWO CHILDREN BURNED TO DEATH,

hAA AAt nVuluG AfEAAes III lua NpEtu AIflAlou-
The alarm which was sounded for the Fifth
District little after r Il. was caused By the
breaking out Of q fro in the two-story frame
building located as above, owned by Richard
Thompson and occupied by John P. LEM, be-
low as dry goods store and above by his
family, consisting Of wife and two children.
4fr. Lenz was about on an e1rand to the
city, and temporarily his wifo was called to at
tend upon the store below, leaving the two
boys, aged respectively three years and one
gear, bJ themselves in the rear, or living room
upstairs, occupied as d kitchen. She had been
below about three quarters Of an hour, and
asked lady, 4 customer, to remain IN the store
until she could 60 up and see the children.
she went up stairs, and on opening the door
into the rear room, was met by powerful vol
ume Of smoke. which drove her back. She
at once gave the alarm, and then attempted to
enteg the roou, and creeping upon her hands
and knees passed around the entire extent Of
the apartment, agonizedIy calling upon her
little ones.
By the imminent peril Of euffocatIon che
WIS driven again into the hall, and there
tEacted by her loud screams. Again she
entered the room, the man following and at
tempting to hold her back. Both With diff
Guilty got out c second time, but by this time
the air given the fire, had filed the room with
fame which rapidly spread through the upper
part Of the house. Even then the poor
mother Was only held back By main force from
brnving what must have proved selfdes5rnc-
ton, in quest Of her dsrliDgs.
The general alsrm was sounded promptly,
and the steamers we're On the spot With little
delay and did efficient service in staying the
progress Of the flames, which were confined
to the roof and upper part Of the building.
The most Intense excitement prevailed outside
as 1T came to be known that tie children were
in the upper part of tile house. Daring men
were ready and willing to brave everything,
but nothing could avail.
At one time when the room Was SO well
cleared of smoke as to show that they Fere
not on the floor, it was hoped that by SOME
unaccountable means the little ones vert ont
Of the building. Just at this time the father
returned from the city, aud to what scene.
He and Chief Engineer Harris made every ex-
crtion to enter and examine the upper part Of
tho building, and did SO when the fire was
partly extinguished. There in little clothes
closet opening of the Kitchen, were found the
half consumed little bodies Of the childran,
They were burned bayond recognition, and
the eldest almost beyond the semblance of h1.
manity. They lay together, tile larger partly
covering the younger, as if in their infant ter.
| ror they lad cIcpt to the c1oget for shelter.
Ths sight W5s narrowing ore and the most
! profound sensation passed through the crowd
| rs the two little blackenod and crisped bodies
were rityingly borne away to the residence ol
tho father Of Mr. Lenz, few blocks distant OF
| Goethe street.
The lesser share Of tho calamity may be dis
posed IF by briefly stating that the building, 9
new frame structure, was injured In the uppe1
etcry to the amount of $500. The store wal
opened here BY sfr. Lcnz in january last. Hi
| stock Of dry goods was valued at $500, In
su1cd $500, and 500 insurance on fixtures
lie holds policy Of $500 On his furniture
voided, however, BY its removal from his for
mer place Of residence, his policy not having
been transferred. Alr, Louz's whole loss Ia i1
the vicinity o.. &, 500, less than oue-dfth cor
| cred by insurance.
The origin Of the fire can only DO conjcc
turcd. The distressed parents have not tht
| least idea how it could have been caused.
was only seldom they were left alone, but n
MF. Lepz's business did not warrant an assist
ant, the wife wss at times left NTH the prem
I Ia H.
water. The ill-fated couple, with The wrec
of their possessions and the poor remains {
their little ones, were removed to the hous
Of the elder Mr.. Lenz at No. 2o2 Goethe street
whore they passed The night.
Word had been promptly sent to Corone
James, and a little after Q r. N. when our re
porter visited the scene Of the disaster b
; found him there. The sight WAS most Eai
, dening one. Two young parents, Of the mos
8 intelligent class Of Germans, their hear
wrung with this sudden and appalling strok
Q | As the father led the way to the front room
c wheza in large bureau drawer lay, coTsre
By quilt, two shapeless masses, and drawin
) down the covering said, pointing
9 one little half burned body, "This vi
tu1 lazy duAuuf. AQu ~ AAVtAGt1 lA46EAt l
= = its side "ThIs vas our eldest Carlie,'- th
; ear caught the half suppressed moan Of tt
. poor mother, lowering about the door, anxiou
u Jet shrinking from sight 60 appalling for
mother to look upon, there Was not dry e
In the group
Mr. Lenz is young man Of shout %, ri
for eight years previous to january LAST, h'
e been in the employ Of Messrs. Cooley, Farw
d Co. and had so well won tie confidence OIL
employers by long and faithful service It
It they had aided him in locating himself In |
II siness In store Of his own located as abo
stated, In neighborhood largely made up
i. his own countrymen, and thither only q II
& since he removed his wife and two SONS, Oh
les, aged three years and John one year o
to q pretty home. How sadly have pc
GO Lenz's plans aud prospects Of happiness be
60 devastated
re ar inquest wi11 be held this morning
Coroner James. Tie funeral Of the childl
ID will take place this afternoon from 202 Goe'
TX staeet The heart of every parent will sym
1e thise as only parents can, with the snrvivi
Il victims Of this, ono Of the saddest calanit
at that has for years visited the city.