The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-08-14

flames Grant, Union. r.'e-
Julius Poppe, Anderson Oh.
Mr.. EDITOR: In the "Nachrfchteu
aus Deutschland u,,d der Sch,Deiz," i
read the, following thrilling account
Of most heroic rescue by o fireman,
which was happily accomplished, q
few weeks ago, in the city of Konigs-
berg, in East Prussia:
A HEROIC DEED-KoN1GsBERG,
EAST Prussia. sad calamity hap
pened here on the night of July Sth,
About half-past two O'Clock, flames
were seen issuing from large tene-
ment building, the property of Mr..
Goerke, in street. Some twenty
families living in the house hurried,
under wailings and lamentations,
into the street, while the efficient fire
department., commenced its opera
tions. Suddenly the cry was raised
that there we're still several persons
In the attic, unable to make their
escape, owing to the sitting smoke
and the stairs having caught fire.
An arm was seen stretched out
through a hole in the wall, about
nine inches in diameter, beckoning
forihelp. The Fire Director left no
means nntried to rescue the unfortu-
nate inmates; but all avenues were
cut OFF. Not second was to be lost.
Tho Fire Director took hold of lad
der, intending himself to save the
imperilled lives; but three of the
most daring fremen sprang forward
and undertook the rescue; fireman
Stencil took the lead. With won
derful precision and self-possession,
pc climbed with hand ladders up the
front of the four-story dwelling,
toward the hole in the wall, from
which the arm was still beckoning.
He has reached the fourth story, and
is but half ladders length below
the unfortunate man, when, to his
horror, he discovers that he cannot
fasten another ladder, because he
sees not a single object to which to
hook it. A quick understanding
with his two comrades, who have fol-
lowed him, resulted in an under
taking, which, for bravery and
daring, excels anything heretofore
known. The ladder was held by his
comrades, while Stencil began to as.
cend it, and still being four feet from
the opening in the wall, placed him.
self on the very tops of the side
pieces, and in this fearful position.
he begins TO widen the hole in the
wall with blows Of an axe. But the
flames drew nigh and higher; the i'm
prisoned man shrieks for help, and
Stencil adds strength to his strokes.
He hands his axe through the hole,
calling to the man to help widen the
aperture from the inside, receives
another from his comrades-and thus
the breach is opened. All of this
while standing on the very ends of
tho side-pieces of the ladder, and
having no hold for his support. The
spectators below dare not speak-all
breathing is suppressed, and the
awful suspense causes heavy drops of
perspiration to fall from their faces.
A shout is heard, louder and louder
still, everybody pressing forward to
see that carried out which. a few
moments before, seemed impossible.
But the mighty, joyous and jubilant
shout which rends the air announces
that, although at an imminent risk
OF life, the unfortunate man is drawn
out of his fire-prison, and is carrie d
down by his saviors 1t was impos.
sible to rescne the other two inmates
of the building. The son of the
honse-owner. Mr.. Goerke, and @
soldier of the 1st regiment of infan
try perished-the former being
smothered by the smoke, the othel
burnt by the flames. The saved one
was also q soldier Of the 1st regimen
Of infantry. s'
A fashionable vifa ,,-,a T.o,,.