Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1867-01-05
GENERAL INTELLIGENCE
aPPbLLISG CiFaSTR0PRE.
FsuFpfug Of R-staurR Fourteen
EJy.s IOst- Fall Account of the 1hiam@
fty-Nanes Ofthe Victims.

- - NsUa
fty-Names OF the Victims.
From the Memphis Post, December ~
One of the most frightful and appall-
ING disasters from fire which IL has been
onr fortune to witness, occurred last
aight in the burning of Specht's Res
tanrapt. The building occupied for
this purpose stance On the south SIDE
OF Madison street. 1t is four stories
high aud nearly two hundre 1 feet deep.
The front is of stone. On the second
story is a balcony extending nearly the
width of the binding. Above the third
story is a similar balcony which, how
ever. is but FIVE or six feet long. The
first floor front was occupied as Con-
fectiouery store. In the rear OF this
was kitchen, baking and confectionery
establishment. The ovens and ma
chinery were in the reaF cellar
The second floor was occupied as
restaurant. 1t was served IN magnltl-
cent style, and was the resort OF the
elite of the city Mr.. Specht slept In
the front room on the third floor, and
Mr.. William Jehle, wife and babe IN the
room adjoining. Others of Mr.. Specht's
family aud employees occupied the re-
naming rooms on the third and fourth
floors.
last night Mr.. Specht and family did
not retire until about 2 O'Clock. Mrs.
Specnt was out of town. At about $40
this morning he heard a cry of fire, but
not at first thinking 1t serious, did not
rise. Again he heard the cry, and
scented strange gas In the room. He
rose. and looking out of the window on
the alley side OF the house, saw the
flame bursting from the rear and lower
window. The smoke was rolling up IN
dense and suffocating clouds. Fearful
screams were heard from every window.
| TIE fire bells successfully wakened the
different portions of the slumbering
city. The engines were III moment
| thnndering through the streets, and
such a cry of fire" and of agony was
heard as will not soon be forgotten.
| Mr.. Specht shouted and beat at the
door of the room occupied by Mr.. and
Mrs. Jehle. He could secure no re
! sponse. lie tore down his curtains,
tied them together and To the iron
/ balustrade on the third story, and
climbed down 10 the balcony on
the second story. The firemen. were
already there The ladders were put
M and manned with a speed worthy of
| those brave fellows Mr., Specht's chill
dren-Joseph, lad of thirteen, and
Stella, a miss of ten-Mrs. YaTbra, his
| mother-in-law, aud Sarah Lee, niece,
who were in the front rooms we're res
cued. Mr. Swanbury, the book keeper,
and MIR. Korrell, a clerk, were brought
| down from the fourth story.
| We believe all who were then alive
aud uniDjuIed were saved. Officer
Grown broke into Jehle's room. He
was lying in one corner, and nis wife
on the floor near the bed. The only
signs OF life with the former was the
beating OF tine heart and pulse. He
died in few moments after reaching
the ground. Mrs. Jehle could not
speak, but her mothers love was
stronger than death. She motioned
agonizingiy toward the bed, In which
lay her infant but a mo Tia old. She
was brought down, but survived only
a few moments. Her babe was saved
by being covered with the bedclothes,
aud still lives. r.
In the meantime, several of the in
mates had attempted TO save themselves
from the smoke and the devouring ele-
ments, by leeping from the fourth story
windows. Mr.. Joseph Barthol, a ne
phew of Mr.. Specht, jumped from that
story into the alley, and, striking a
mud hole, saved his life. It-was a lear
Jul leap, but, though severely bruised,
not a bone was broken.
OF all who attempted thus to escape
~ nj 10 L..
survivor. MIR. Waiter, clerk, leaped
from the same story, and was fortunate
enough to catch a bind on the third
story, to which he chung until he was
rescued dy the firemen. IL was won
derful escape. These had all leaped
before the firemen had gained access to
their rooms. They found the other
unfortunates who remained in the
rooms, lying on the floor on at the win
dowS. sutfOcated.
The survivors and The dead were re-
moved to the office OF Doctors Knode /
Il Rives; in the next building. The |
former received every attention, and |
tie latter were laid out for burial as
tenderly as circumstances would per-
NIT. Officer Hanan was stationed at |
AtAC " ANSp CAOha OhLs
He allowed us access. 1t was horrible
spectacle. as8
In the Office lay VIM. Jehle, in real
grave clothes. He was young man OF
great promise as a merchant. His adj
Fertisements as a wholesale notion deal
sr have some time past appeared in the
columns of the Post He was only 81
years of age, and formerly from st. [
Louis. In bed room near by lay Mrs
Iehle. There was peaceful beauty to I
he face, as if she was dreaming pleas /
nifty, and not dead There was no
race of distress or agony. In small Z
Dom beyond the office, on the floor, /
Az seven ladies, colored woman nam c
d Lucinda Ringwald. with her two lit Il
ie children beside her; beyond that of n
Ohm O. Hank, member of No. I
Irove of Druids, who leaped out of il