The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1871-10-21
rnc,aeu,s of the Chicago Fire.s

While Madison street. west of Dearborn,
and the west side of Dear born were all ahiaze,
the spectators saw the lurid light appear ID
the rear windows Of Speeds block. Pre-
sently man, who bad apparently taken
time to dress himself leisurely appeared on
the extension built up to the second story OF
two of the stores. He cooliy looked Gown
the thirty feet between him aud the ground,
while the excited crowd first cried jump,
and then somo of them more CONSIDERABLY
looked for ladder long plank was soon
found and answered the same as the ladder,
and was placed at once against building,
down which the man soon after slid But
while t:sese preparations were going On there
suddanly appeared another man at fourth
story win6ow of the building below, which
had no projection, but flush from the top to
the yround-fuur stories aud a basement.
His escape by the stairway was evidently
cut off and he looked despairingly down
the fifty feet between him and the ground.
The crowd grew almost frantic at the sight,
for it was only choice of death before him
by fire OF by being crushed to death by
the fall. Senseless cries Of jump jumps!
went up from the crowd-sepseless but full
Of sym pathy. for the sight was absolutely
agopizins. Then for minute or two he dis
appeared. perhaps even less. but it seemed
had fallen sufocated with the smoke and
heat. But, no he appears again. First
he throws a bed; then some bed clothes, ap-
parently, why. probably even he does not
know. Again he looks down the dead. sheer
wall Of fifty feet below him. Then be
! mounts the window sill. His whole form
appears, naked to the shirt, and his white
! limbs CLEAN against the dark wall in the
bright light as he swings himself below the
window. Somebndy-how none can tell
he drops and catches on the top of the win
/ dows below him, of the third stoaps and
| drops again, and seizes the frame with his
! hands, aud his cleaning body once more
/ straighten> and hangs prone downward, and
d. then droJs instantly and accurately upon
the window sill of the third story. a shout
/ more of joy than applause. goes up from the
breathIess crowd. aud those who had turned
awav their heads, not bearing to look upon
! him as he seemed to drop to sudden and Ger
] tain death, glanced upon at him once more
with a ray Of hope. at this daring and skill
! full feat. Into this window he crept foria
| stairway but appeared again presently, foI
/ here was the only avenue of escape, Ge per
ate and hopeless as it was. Cnce more ht
dropped his body hanging by his hand. The
! crowd screamed and waved to him to swing
over the projection from which the other mar
hal Just baen rescued. He tried do Il is
and vibrated like pendulum from side Il
side, but could not reach far enough TO th,oV
himself upon its roof. Then he hung by ont
hand and looked down; raising the othe
hand he took fresh hold and swung from
side to side gain to reach the roof. Ia vair'
again he hung motonless 10y one hand, ant
slowly turned his head over his shoulder ant
gazed into the abyss below him. Then gath
l. Lot h,ll nd f.
a second a CLEAN of white shot down full
forty feet, to the foundation of the basement
OF course it killed him. He was taken to
Ding store near hy and died in ten minute.