The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-03-08
DISASTER.
Destructive COnnag agratiOhs in Chicago
Four Firemen FAN From Roof Into
the Flames, and are Burned to Death.

Four Etremem FAN From a Roof Into
the Flames, and are Burned tn Death
The Chicago RepUb lean of Saturday last SAYS:
Last evening, at $685. flames we're discovere
in the large three-story brick building on the
west side OF Canal street. at its intersection wi
Washington.
il cluded from Noe. Al to AZ inclusive. 1t was
owned by Wisdom g. Lee, sash, bllud, and door
manufacturers, who occupied Nos. 40, AZ, and
the whole OF the rear. The first floor of No. Al
was rented by N. W. Spaulding, sawmaker, the
second floor of the same number being used as
shoe-last manufactory by William Phillips.
Mr.. Wilkoshesky, plcture-irame manufactures,
occupied the upper floor. The whole OF No 4S
was used by Pollard Il Dewey as machine shop.
The 6remen were promptly on the spot, and
put forth their every endeavor to master the
flames. The larger portion OF the structure was
stored with the most combustible of material,
there being beside the regular stock an un-
usually large quantity of pine shavngs strewed
under the benches of the apartments occupied
by Wisdom & Lee and William Phillips. The
strong wind that prevailed was also another
thing that worked seriously against those who
were striving to subdue the conhagraton, and
TOR time 1t was feared that the burning build
ing would not only be destroyed, but that many
OF the adjacent structures would also suffer.
The root was believed to be still safe, and
accordingly, at few minutes past O'Clock,
five men mounted to it by ladders. The names
of these heroes were Charles Miller aud Peter
Moriarty, of Hook and Ladder Company No. l.,
and Thomas 0'Brien, Charles Willis, and George
Bergb, of the A. @. Coventry engine.
Miller and MorSarty were armed with axes
with which they at once began to cut holes
through the roof for the pipes of the french.
The other three men dragged the long s,nuous
hose after them, and anxiously waited the finale
of the labors of the men with the axes. Sad.
denly. with fearful crash, the entire roof gave
way and the five men disappeared from the
horrided spectators. moment after fireman
was discovered clingiDg to one of the wires OF
the Western Union Telegraph Company that
was seen to work his way slowly towards the
southwest corner of the blazing structure.
ladder was quickly run up, and he
fully perilous situation. He provel to be
a Frepchman, Miller of the hook and
ladder, and the following is substantially
HIS STATEMENT.
''My name is Charles Miller; have for some
Company No. 1. stationed in the Long John
Engine-house. When the alarm was sounded
last evening from box 27s, our wagon fastened
to the corner OF Washington and Canal streets;
in short time Morisrty and myself were sent
to the top of the burning building; arriving
there, we were soon followed by three hose
men Of the A, G. Coventry; we at once pro-
ceeded to cut an aperture through the roof, the
other men awaiting the result of our work.
We had hacked away few moments, when at
once l expt renCe sort OF sinking sensation,
and, guessing was the matter, sprahg to the
edge of the south wall of the building; | saw
the whole roof fall in and three or four men go
down with it. Fearing lestI also might be pre-
cipitated into the blazing abyss, jumped and
caught hold of u telegraph wire, which / held
on to by my hands aud teeth. From here |
gradually continued to crawl along to the cor
ner of the burning building, where, though
growing weak, continued to hol on until
was taken do Rn by some men who had set up q
ladder for my rescue"
A few moments after Miller was rescued, a
voice was heard, apparently proceeding from
the south end OF the third story of the fast
consuming .edidce:.. The word Help" was
voclferated three times, growing weaker on
each occasion. ladder was immediately put
up, and men were detailed to smash away the
iron shutters that covered the windows on that
portion of the building, Bat before this could
be effected. the flames and smoke had gained
such headway that it was impossible to
discover any thing; and as the floor was entirely
burned away, 1t was evident that the person
perished from fire or suffocation. He PROBABLY
had escaped from destruction by the falling
roof. only to suffer lingering, horrible death
by the flames or strangling. He must have
been so injured that he could not have era wled
to the window, and before any succor could
be afforded he doubtless was again precipitated
into the blazing ruins beneath, only to meet 8
death all the more terrible for momentary
hope OF safety.
OF course, with a conaagration occurring
under such very peculiar circumstances, witt
all the terrors of freezing night, and high
wind, 1t would be wonder If property holders
their property that was being consumed II
was nearly impossible to ascertain the exact
amount OF the loss and insurance, but as nearly
as could be found out 1t will approximate to the
following fgures:-
Spauldine's loss Is about $4,000; insured fol
$4,000. Wilkoshesky loses some S25OO, upor
which be has q full insurance. William Phillips
suffers to the amount OF $1,000 and aud is covered
by insurance. The principal losers are Wisdom
q Lee, the owners of the building. whose
total losses will not be far from $40, O00. They
have been insured by the agency of ii. B. Bro WI
~ Co., well.knoWn insurance agents.
The lull damage will not be much short o
$4,000, but this trihing loss cannot, of course
be for an instant considered when the horrors
of the lives lost are taken into account Mos
of the men killed are married, and the sorrow
entailed upon their families Is beVond morta
power to compute. The loss by fire is quite
large, while the number of lives sacrificed Il
fearful to contemplate. The whole number o
men killed and the total loss of property will
| tend to make the night OF March ever memora
| BILE IN the annals of Chicago.
Foreigners I'm once.
A ~ AN LNAI.