New-York tribune., 1872-12-11
were in the hotel at the outbreak of the fire about
CSC guests.
A PANIC AMONG THE GUESTS.

A
Among the more prominent guests were "en'
Burnside, Gen. Horace Porter, President Grant PHI
yotc secretary. G. NJ. Pullman of palace-car fame,
and others.
Ex-Gov. Claain of Massachusetts, had telegraphed
for n room. and was expected on the II p IN. tain.
When the fire was discovered the greater number
of the guests had retired and many OF them were
sleeping
IIurricdly aroused from sleep, there was for time
a panic among those on the upper floors
Men and women hurriedly caught up such articles
of clothing as they could readily secure, and ran
into the passage-ways, many in their nght ciothlhg'
Women tainted. and for a time there was the Mt
most confusion Order was partially restored by the
propretors and employees of the hotel, who assured
the guests that there was no immediate danger.
For n time. however. the Railways were filed with
screaming women and in many eases with men VINO
should have preserved their GOODNESS, and yet only
added to the general confusion
The LARGER number of the guests, however, be-
hayed well. and their example added to the encOur-
aging words and assurances OF the hotel employees
that there was no immediate danger, had the effect
Of allaying the panic.
Many Of the lady guests escorted to the Abe
marie. ST. James. and Glenham Hotels the Hoffman
House and others in the vicinity.
Several sick persons aud infants were carefully
wrapped up and borne from the burning building to
the hotels and houses adjacent
SIXTEEN PERSONS BURNED.
Tpon the subsistence of the panic it was currently
1umored that several of the lady guests had been
severely injured one by jumping through skylight,
but dgent inquiry happily failed to verify these
reports.
As soon as the fire was cxtinrshed the members
of Engine Company No. 1G, while examining the
servants rooms on the top aoor, made the terrible
discovery that sixteen scrvants-men and women
had been burned to death.
Their bodies were all horribly charred and dis
figured. and were found in various positions. some
of which indicated that they had been overcome by
the dense smoke and intense heat while they were
endeavOring TO escape.
Some of the bodies were found lying in the beds,
but majority were lying upon the floors, near the
doors and windows, which latter were covered
with strong network of heavy wire, which pre-
vented the escape of those who sought egress in
this direction So strong these barriers that
considerable effort on the part Of the fremen was
necessary for their removal. Two Of the bodies
were locked in each others embrace, and their besh
had been literally roasted
Margaret Pagan, one of the hotel servants, was
however, found terribly burned about the head ana
body in her bedroom, adjoining the elevator on the
top floor of the building.
She was conveyed to the Bellevue Hospital, and
probably will not recover. Kate Grey, another serv-
ant, was severely burned upon the hands and arms.
Private Finn of Truck Company No. 3 was Sc
verely but it believed not fatally injured byfall
ing through sky-light while gallantly battling
with the flames.
SCENTS IN THE CORRIDORS.
At2a. m the corridors of that portion OF the hotel
untouched by fire were thronged with guests. Many
had removed their trunks and wearing apparel from
their rooms evidently fearful that there would be
another outbreak of the fire. in which case they
yvould be ready to move at a moments notice.
There were others who took the matter philosophi-
eally and declared that there was greater chance
of losing their effects by removal than by letting
them remain in their rooms, thus running the risk
of another outbreak.
The friends of many Of the guests, hearing that
that the hotel was on fire. hurried thither and lent
their aid in removing effects taking guests aud pro-
perty to their homes.
Carriages were pressed into service and there was
a constant stream of hurriedly dressed women and
children passing through the main hallway followed
by friends with bundles of clothing, valises. and
bandboxes. All were placed in carriages and driven
rapidly away to the residences of sympathning
friends.
a
the main staircase past rough tiremen and police
men. and over lines of bursted hose, and through
throng of admiring spectators.
In one of the large rooms the rear of the first
floor were gathered about 80 Of the women servants.
Not one of these had time to dress herself or even
secure more than one two articles of clothing.
Many had barely escaped with their lives. a few
had even been scorched by the flames They sat
around in various attitudesthe picture of misery.
They had been aroused from their beds, 10 which,
by the regulations of the hotel they are required TO
retire at 1920 o'clock nightly. All seantily at
tired many being shielded by nothing but their
night garments.
4 few had managed TO dress themselves partly, and
n few more were enveoped in blankets which had
been hastily thrown around them. The personal
narratives Of their escapes were in many Instances
thrilling and of painful interest
Huddled together in this apartment, some sitting
upon the floor. some reclining upon beds, some nery-
onsly walking about, and some IN a hystercal con-
dition. they wept, moaned, and seemed in a state
boIde,ng on distraction willie Others viewed their
,aroW escape and their losses with calm fOrttude.
All had lost their effects, and many of them con-
sideca Die sums of money their haTd-eamed savings
for years. All had been awakened from sleep to
ind their rooms filled with hot and binding smoke.
A number were too bewildered to help themselves
in any way, and when the doors and windows were
dashed in by the fremen and police the occupants of
flie rooms had to be dragged ont and taken to
lower foor where the air was purer before they re-
covered CON sciousncsS.
The rooms Of those who were burned to death
were Immediately adjoining the head Of the laundry
eley.:o. and were the first attacked by the flames.
When tt rescuing party made their appearance the
s,n,r.e WAS 50 dense and the heat great that it
- M. nI..a In nndnrtake To neneirnte IL.