The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-01-12
A FIRE ESCAPE.
An Experiment at the Continental Hotel.

1t having been announced that at noon to- day
an experiment with new fire escape would be
tried from the rear windows of the Continental
there assembled at that -Four quite crowd of
curious people, all of whom, and much to their
personal discomfort, were intenty watching the
operations of the experimentalists in the sixth
story of that popular caravansery.
Not less than bakers dozen of enthusiastic
reporters, anxious for an item, were buZzing
about with notebook in hand, in the diabolical
hope that a rope would break, or the canvas
bag give out while the inventor was demon
strating the utility of the concern, and thus
furnish the groundwork for good local. From
each window protruded an ebony face, sur
mounted with turban, and even the cooks
who, from a constant experience in slashing
meat, are thought to have no feelings, lined the
sidewalk, looking not unlike an ambulance
corps waiting for some writhing victim.
Now the fire-escape, for which the inventor
had taken out patent, consisted solely of a
long rope, on which, at intervals of twenty
inches, appeared ball, to aid person in slid
ing down; and attached to the bottom of which
was canvas bag, for lowering children. The
experiments consisted in lowering kittens from
the third story in this canvas receptacle, and to
heighten the sensation an ebony lad and at
periods men slid from the seventh story to the
pavement with ease. But as neither of them
slipped, and as the bag did not give out and re-
duce the lad to indefinite particles, the crowd,
with the reporters too, dispersed with conside-
rable dissatisfaction. AS to the escape. it is
simple and practicable.
ANNUAL MEETING OF WIDOWS AND SINGLE
WoMEN's SoCIETY-The annual meeting of the
Widows and Single Women's Society was held
at noon to-day in the asylum building, Cherry
street, below Eighteenth.
A large audience of ladies aud gentleman was
in attendance, in addition to about eighty in
mates of the asylum. The proceedings were
opened with devotional exercises
The annual address was made by Rev. j. L.
Withrow, of the Arch Street Presbyterian
Church.
1t contained advice and encouragement to the
members of the society," and eXhorted them to
continue the benevolent work they have in hand
The inmates of the asylum were also addressed
at length. The pleasures of contentment with
their lot in life we're set berore them by the
speaker who also reminded them that the great
est return they could make for the kindnesses
of which they were the recipient was to lead a
godly life.
After the address prayer was offered by Rev.
MIR. Heberton and the benediction pronounced
An election for members of the Board of
Managers, to serve for the ensuing year, was
then entered into. The following ladies were
unanimously elected
Mrs. John A. Brown, Mrs. Roberts Vaux, Miss
Montmollin, Mrs. Caleb Johnson, Miss Mary lippin-
cott, Mrs. John $. Henry Mrs. James Bayard, Mrs.
John Nj. Whitall, Mrs. Isaac c. Jones, Jr, Mrs
John Farnum, Mrs. Charles Yarnall Mrs. Lloyd z.
Smith, MIS-. Stephen Colwel Miss Hannah Ralston,
Mrs. William ID. Stroud, Miss Charlotte w. Wether-
ILL., Mrs. E. w. Horner, Mrs Hannah S. Biddle, Mrs.
Theodore Cuyler, Mrs. Ellen B. Wheeler Mrs. VIM.
A. lngham, Mrs. ii. LenoX Hodge, Mrs. David
Scul, Jr.