Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-05-23
An Exciting Scene In Chicago.

An Ehcihhg scene IN chicago.
From the Chicago papers we reprint
some particulars of the burning Of the
Merchants Hotel, telegraphic account
of which was published;
1.-THE means of escape through the in
torior OF the building We're hopelessly
cut of, and Mr.. Holmes, who had Just
arisen, was half stifled with the dense
smoke, securely tying his rope to
heavy stove in the room he threw the END
OF 1t out of the window, and Immediately
afterwards gTasped the slender reliance
firmly in his hands aud swung himself
from the window with the greatest cool
ness and self-possession. He accom-
pllshed the dizzy descent in safety. DR..
A. Q. Ellis and lady, occupying room
in the southwest corner Of the third
story, were safely rescued by means Of
ladder and the firemeu. A member of
the hook and ladder company named
Grant was conspicuous for his heroic
efforts, not only saving the life Of Mrs,
Ellis, but in resCuing several Others
from a terrible death. An Intalian was
observed at one of the upper windows
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very frightened condition. He was half
sufOcated wstA the smoke, and at one
| time so far forgot himself AS to make
an attempt to spring into the street.
! The crowd shouted to him to desist, and
! Just at that moment the roof fell in.
! Finally q rope was fastened TO the top
Of the wall, by Mr., Campbell, the
butcher, and let down to his window,
while fireman assembled long ladder
to within six feet OF the window. Seiz-
ing the rope, the man let himself down
to the top Of the ladder, and with the
aid Of the fireman, he was enabled to
reach the ground in safety, although he
was half dead from sutfocatiou and
fatigue,
Another daring escape was effected by
one of the inmates OF the third story,
who occudied q room very near to Cros-
by's building, on State street. The inte
ri0r Of the apartment was full of smoke
and fame, and no chance Of escape was
offered to him, save by jumping into the
street At length an eXpedlent was hit
upon by the tiremen on the ROOF, by
which be succeeded in making his es-
cape at the risk Of = broken neck. A
rope fastened at the roof was let down
to the window, and the young man tied
it securely round his waist. Then jump
ing upon the windOw-sill, he made q
bold swing, with all the grace and dar-
ing Of HanlOn, toward one Of the win
doWs in the adjoining building, where a
man stood ready to receive him. -Four
times he swung to and fro on the flying
trapeZe without hitting the mark, but
at the fifth effort he was caught by the
leg, and drawn safely into the window
The crowd below Cheered yOCiferOusly
at the feat, while the intrepid gymnast
turned round and waved his hand in aC-
Acknowledgement. Several other parties,
whose names were not ascertained, were
extricated from their lrightful situations
in interior rooms by the GOODNESS and
presence of mind Of the fremen. Many
more secured their own escape from the
burning building after making hasty
and incomplete tOilettes. Mrs Barry,
the popular actress, was removed from
her room in tainting condition, and
was taken temporarily into kimball' S
music establishment, situated in the OPP
era House building, and separated from
the hotel by a narrow alley. Several
other ladies were conveyed to the same
place, who were rendered halECrazed by
the fear and excitement they had been
subjected to. Several Of the guests OF
the house begged the use Of portion o;
the store to complete their rather insult,
1lcient attire 1t is stated that several
Of the laundry and dining-room girls
jumped from the second story windows
to the alley below, but so far as ascer-
tanned not one of them was seriously in.
iured.