The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-02-04

at KenOsha, Wis, resulting IN sad loss vi
| life. From dispatch in the Chicago Times,
dated Kenosha, Wis, January 81, we ex-
tract the following:
| THE HALLIDAY HOUSE.
It was substantial four-story brick edi-
flee, built about twenty-five years ago by
Hon. Chas. Durkee. 1t had the capacity
to accommodate about 200 guests, and was
we'll and even elegantly furnished. at one
time it was the largest and most popular
hotel in the State of Wisconsin. It was
located in the central part of the city, on
the corner of Main and 4th streets. At
present it is total ruin for although the
four walls are standing, it is probable that
they may give way at any moment, while
from the debris which fills the space en-
lclosed by them five human bodies, burnt,
Shriyeled, and hardly recognizable, have
been already removed. So.
The exact origin of the fire is still doubt
full, though it has been ascertained beyond
question that it emanated from the lamp
room OF the hotel, which was filed with q
large number of kerosene lamps and a
quantity of oil in cans. The floor, also,
was saturated with the intlammable liquid,
as the apartment had always been used for
the same purpose.
The discovery of the fire was made by
known gentlemen OF this city, who were
returning. from a ball in the community
known here as Germany. Passing along
Main street, in front Of the house, at about
$50 A. NJ, they perceived an unusually
bright light in the lamp-room, and imme-
diately ran up stairs to see what was the
occasion of it. Before they had arrived,
however, it became perfectly evident that
the hotel was on fire. AS they proceeded
| hr, ~ n
flame, which issued from The lamp-room,
where the floor was already consumed by
the deyouring element, fed by the kerosene
which poured from the lamps and cans.
Capt Everett gave the alarm at once, and,
assisted by his companion, endeavored to
arouse the guests of the house. The flames
spread rapidly, and, owing to the peculiar
inner construction of the building, the
passages and stairways were soon filled
with volumes of smoke. At this time, or
soon after, the majority of the boarders, of
which there were about sixty, made their
escape.
The heat was SO intense that it was inn
possible to enter any portion Of the build.
ing with the hose, except the stores, from
which it was impossible to send streams to
any desirable localities.
The scene at this point was one of the
most vivid and picturesque character, one
never to be forgotten by the anxious spec
tators who witnessed it. Below the streets
were filled with citizens, upon whose up
turned faces shone the lurid glare Of the
flames, which were rapidly creeping up
the walls and bursting with masses OF
smoke from the lower windows, the fire.
men Strainng every nerve ut the Old-taSh-
ioned -engines; and again, the increasing
blaze, despite the sleet and rain, lighting
up the whole town. and
MORE HoRRID THAN ALL,
the desperate faces of the imprisoned
wretches, peering from the upper windows
and calling In vain upon their friendssbe-
low. Ladders are placed against the flaming
structure, but fail to reach the unfortunate
victims, whose agonizing cries add to the
anXieties of their powcrleSs friends. One
OF the rooms in the northwest corner of the
third floor is occupied by lady and four
children.
WHO WILL VENTURE HIS LIFE FOR FOUR
LIVES?
| Who will risk himself to enter that fierce
furnace for Mrs. Merrill and her children?
The time for brave action had come, and
the man was there to perform it, although
his efforts were made in vain. Capt. Ever
EFT pushed his way through the binding
smoke, even to the door of the fated wo-
mans apartment. He called to her, but
received no answer, and could see no one
on account of the smoke. Although she
had evidently left the room, he fingered as
long as possible, and turned to leave, when
he heard the tender voices of the children.
TO return to the room was certain death,
and he accordingly sprang to the stairs and
hurried below.
While this was going on, the ladders had
been Of use in reScuing several Seryant-girls
| f.f,p ba wiz NJ ha cfn
after the appearance Of Capt. Everett rll-
NOR was circulated that Mrs. Merrill had
been saved. This erroneous impression
gained considerable belief, and to it proba-
bly, the unfortunate lady owed her death,
as ladders had been spliced of a sufficient
length to reach her window, but were not
raised, under the belief that she was beyond
the necessity of assistance. Hon. NV. Web
ster, who was acting with great efficiency
as chief engineer of the fire department at
this moment, distinctly asked one of the
bewildered spectators if the rumor of her
rescue was correct, and was answered that
the lady had been taken to a house in the
neighborhoOd. A more careful investiga-
| ton proved the inaccuracy OF the state
ment too late however, as her screams had
been choked by the Sutlocating smoke, and
her body was probably but lifeess form.
The work of dragging goods from the
three stores on the ground floor was pro-
crossing, and attention was called to the
form of an individual on the fourth floor.
1t proved to be MIR. Osmond Capron, a
promising young merchant Of this city, and
a SON Of the Hon. Horace Capron, United
States Commissioner of Agriculture. The
flames were on all sides of him. and the
stairway on which he must pass was per-
| feet blaze. Without hesitating, however,
! he plunged down, and reached the floor be-
| low, although his thin under-garments were
| on fire, and Immediately
JUMPED FROM THE NEAREST WINDOW
to the ground, a distance of forty-tive feet.
He was picked up, and walked across the
street, tracking blood at every step, and
was subsequently taken to the residence of
his brother, MIR. Albert Capron, where
medical assistance was at once procured.
Although the poor fellow was terribly
burned, his limbs all black and charred, and
| his collar-bone protruding through the lace
| rated flesh, he bore his suffering with for
titude, and calmly permitted the dressing
of his wounds. He still fingers, but proba-
| bly will not survive through the night.
ANOTHER VICTIM.
Herbert Chase, young married man,
employed in the tin store OF Dewey 81 Rush,
| was next seen to appear at a window in the
fourth story. He found all other chances
of escape cut off, and without delay sprang
from the window to the ground. If there
is now slim chance for his recovery it is
owing to his daring leap, although he suf-
fered compound fracture of his thigh, be-
sides several internal injuries.
| . STILL ANOTHER VICTIM
of the holocaust was man of 35 years,
c..-- =