The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1867-05-17
Escaping From The Flames.

From the Chicago papers Of Saturday
we reprint some particulars of the burning
of the Merchants Hotel on Friday:
The means ofsescape through the in
terror of the building were hopelessly cut
off, and Mr.. Holmes, who had just arisen,
half stifed with the dense smoke, Sc
curely tying his rope to heavy stove in
the room he threw the remainder of it
out of the window, and Immediately after
wards grasped the slender reliance firmly
in his hands and swung himself from the
window with the greatest GOODNESS and
self possession. He accomplished the
dizzy desuent in safety. DIR. A. c. Ellis
and lady occupyiDga room in the southwest
corner of the third story, were safely res
cued by the means of ladder and the
aid of the Gremen. A member of the
hook and ladder company named Grant
was conspicuous for his heroic efforts, not
only in saving the life of Mrs. Ellis, but
in roscuing several Others from terrible
death. An Italian was observed at one
Of the upper windows fronting on State
street, apparently in very frightened con-
dition. lie was half suffocated with the
smoke, and at one time so far forgot him
self as to make an attempt to spring into
the street. The crowd shouted to him to
desi,t, and just at that moment the roof
fell in. Finally rope was fastened TO
the top of the wall, by Mr.. Ohappell, the
butcher, and let down to his window,
while fireman assembled long ladder
to within six feet of the window. Selling
the rope the man let himself down to tho
top of the ladder, and with the aid of the
fireman he was enabled to reach tho
ground in safety, although he was half
dead from suifocation and fatigue
Another daring escape was effected by
one Of the inmates of the third story, who
occupied room very near to Crosby's
Building on State street. The interior of
the apartment was full of smoke and
flame, and no chance of escape was offer
ed to him save by jumping into the street.
At length an expediont was hit upon by
She fremen on the roof, by which he
succeeded in making his escape 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 jumping upon the win
dow sill, be made bold swing, with all
the grace and daring of Hanlon, towards
one of the windows in the adjoining
building, where man stood ready to re-
ceve 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
vociferously at the feat, while the intrepid
gymnast turned round and waved his
hand in acknowledgment. Several other
parties, whose names were not ascertained,
were extricated from their frightfu situa-
tions in the interior rooms by the cool
ness and presence Of mind of the ircmen.
Many more secured their own escape from
the burning building after making Las:y
and incomplete toilettes, Mrs Barry,
the popular actress, was removed from
her room in fauting condition, and was
taken temporarily into kimbalps Music
Establishment, situated in the Opera
House building, and separated from the
hotel by narrow alley. Several other
ladies were conveyed to the same place,
who wero rendered half crazed by the fear
and excitement they had been subjected
to- Several of tho guests of the house
begged the use Of portion Of the store
to complete their rather insufficient at
tire. 1t is stated that several of the
laundry and dining room girls jumped
from the second story window to the al
ley below, but SO far as ascertaned no one
was seriously Injured.