The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1874-04-03

with their lives, tore up and down III
corridors, madly seeking some outlet iron
the pursuing flames. The widest horro
prevailed. Shrek rose upon shrek II
heart-rendiug accents, all tho more i'm
presslve because they came from
STRONG MEN GRAPHING WITH DEATH,
with the odds 10 terribly against all merl
human power. Many on the lower hal
had found their way out oi the building
and the proprietor Of the house, who wa
sick, had been borne out. For an instan
It was hoped that all would escape, bu
again that hope was dashed by the be.
seechlng cries for help from those whit
had fingered TO dress, or in the excite.
ment Of the dreadful moment were unable
to undo the iaStenings Of their doors. tt
add TO the horror OF the situation, 1t wa!
discovered that the flames had crop
through the southern sleeping rooms, and
following the draft along the corridor, had
CUT OFF TIE aERvANTs' ESCAPE
from the attic. Between prayers and
shrieks and groans, the scene was now toe
much for human hearts, knowing theiI
utter inability TO render aid. Many turned
away from the sickening scene. They
found it as difficult 10 endure as to relieve
Some Of the girls had the courage and
presence Of mind to turn their drapery
over their heads for protection, and rush
through the sheet ofhAme; and thus some
escaped. Others rushed back to the north
side and
CAST THRMsELvRs FROM THE WINDOWS
upon the roof Of the adjoining building
whence they were rescued. Others sank
bewlldered in the sutfocatlng smoke, and
like some Of the guests on the floor below
yielded without a struggle to the terrible
death before them. But the
CLIMAX OF THE SITUATION
had not been reached I'LL Nelly McCarty,
one OF the dining-room girls, appeared
at the southern attic. window, and pro-
posed TO cast herself 10 the ground, forty
feet below. A warning cry rose from the
crowd, but the poor girl would not re.
treat. Death was behind her, and, with
a wild cry Of despair, she cast herself
forth and fell, a pitlful mass Of bones,
upon the pavement. The namos now
were spreading so rapidly that every one
turned TO rescue bis own property,
Masses Of sparks and burning shingles
were falling on the roofs around. In hall
an hour.
THR GREATER PART OF THE TOWN WAS
BURNING,
and women were rushing wildly to the
fields, dragging their children after them.
No water was TO be got, and no resistance
was made after the first feeble effort.
THE SCENE AT THE HANLoN HOUSE
was only a repetition OF that which hardly
q minute before had taken place at the
Central, which was only across a narrow
street. The proprietors made every effort
10 alarm the guests and, from the fact that
all the remains had clothing upon them,
had undoubtedly succeeded In their duty,
but they were forced to flee, and when the
flames had subsided, ~
THREE HUMAN BODIES
were observed 10 be roasting in the ruins,
and like number were exposed 10 view
upon the Goals Of the Central.
NAMES OF THE DEAD.
The dead so far discovered (though al
most undoubtedly q further search among
the debris OF the Central will discover
more) arc Nora Canty, dining room girl;
Captain Oliver, of the Ryud Farm, guest
at the Central; Butcher George, porter at
the Central; Sanford Acker, guest at the
Hanlon House; Philip Martin, guest at the
Hanlon House; young man unknown.
guest at the Hanlon House. The regis
tiers OF both hotels were lost. Nellie
McCarty was removed TO the house of q
friend, and after receiving the holy sacra.
ment according 10 the Catholic faith, un-
derwent an examination by the surgeons,
who despair Of her recovery, as she Is in.
jured internally.
We notice that several Of the Wheeling
companies come In for losses by the fire.
The Nail City had 5000 on Fairburn,
Dunlap s Cos drug store and $1,000 on
property owned by Mckinney Bros. 4
Galley, while the Citizens and Fire and
Marine had $1,000 each on the drug store
and building OF s. Mcbride.