The New York herald., 1876-07-27
A TERRIBLE FIRE.
AShoddy Mill, Without a Fire
Escape, Takes Fire.
HOW A NOBLE WOMAN LOST her LIFE
Of Ten Occupants Two Are Burned to
Death and One Fatally Injured.
PHILADELPHIA, July 26, 1876.

PHILADELPHIA, July 26, 1876.
terrible fire occurred in this city this morning caus
ing loss OF e that nothing less than butchery,
for which, according to the prevailing opinion here, the
municipal authorities and the owner building de-
serve 10 be held strictly responsible fire breaks out
IN mill. the floors and woodwork OF which soaked
with oil, AMI tho building stored with rags and in
sight of 1000 agonzed spectators two helpless women
are buried TO cnder in cage from which there no
escape moro lies dying IRON inhaling the fatal
flames. and every other occupant Of the building has
very narrow escape from tEe jaws of death more or
less injured. And all because, through neglect or
meanness, trap like this has
NO FIRE ESCAPE
That such building should bo used for such pur-
pose with actually no sale means OF escape in Of
fire, filed, as might nave been, with human beings
10 crime not only on the part OF the owners. but the
city authorities which permitted IT. even alter warning
had pcen given them by a similar fire which occurred
this very place year ago That the loss of life
greater to-day not by any means to be consld
cred excnu4tion for 1t was solely owing to the Tor
tunate faci that business was very dull with the mill
owner, and only ten employees were in the building 1t
is irigh,ful to think OF what The consequences would
bave been had there been full force employed.
Legally the Of the mill violated law in neg.
lectng 10 nave uTo escapes, OTulnduCeS Oh tuiS
CITY, it seems, not requiring them although there are
probably moro mills and factories here than any
other city in the Union. 1t to be hoped to-day's
disaster may have some effect in awakening the city
government TO its responsibility. The bravery of Ellen
Hcver, the heroine in humble life who her life to
save others puts shame the callousness which neg.
ectcd 20 take ordinary precautions TO prevent un-
necessary sacrifice III case OF ire
THE GLOBE MILLS.
The scene OF this nre the oid Globe ShOddy Mil.
as II was called, ST. John street, below German
town avenue the extreme upper portion Of tn city
property owned by one James Nolan and occupied as
mill by William Johnston, whose names deserve to Dc
remembered 1t was four stories high and fronted 100
feet ST. John street, with depth OF nity lect
Germantown avenue The employees of the mill this
morning were only ten IN number, consisting OF John
NJ. Turner, John Brooks, Thomas Magee. Ellen Heyer
Ann Peterson, Maria Hoover, Cornelia Peterson, Mag
gc Sheridan, Maggie Sweeney and Mattic Hoover. At
o'clock they went to work usual Five Of the
went to the fourth floor aud began their task
OF sorting rags the third floor
IN the storage and stock room, and Ellen Hcvcr
with the three men went 10 work the ground nosr
In the carding room. Tho second floor, used tho
picker room, was unoccuplcd. shortly alter eight
O'Clock
A SMELL BURNING RAGS
caused Turner to run hastily up stairs to this room,
where he discovered the whole apart ment IN u blaze
lie at once gave the ALARM but almost quicker than II
takes tell the story tho whole comDustIbe building
in flames, each room having quantities OF shoddy
and greasy IN II and all the foorng being soaked
In grease and oil. So quickly did the flames spread
thai before above could get down stairs
avenue Of escape was cut of
HEROINE.
The instant the alarm was gwen Ellen Hever who
tho rst oOr with noblo instinct that her
her lite. up stairs to the third and fourth floors and
urged her compaLons to y Tor their safety This bravo
woman might have saved herself beng on the street
floor; but determ ned to make desperate effort to
those who were IN greater peril Following hor,
the five the fourth floor and tho ono IN the tnird
story down the stairway
But they werc already too late Reaching the sec.
md confronted by flames whtcn
were making their toward the roof The women
turned fee from the dreaded clement but there
escape from It on the second floor and they saw
they must either go above make their escape from
the windows. Just back Of the mill stood old shed
which could be reached from the second floor
danger Of lie or limb. and, with presence OF mind
which Is seldom Witnessed at such time, four Of the
women made rush through the flames to the window
sill and dropped upon this frame structure These
four were Cornela Peterson, Maggie sheridan, Maggie
Sweeney and Matte Hoover.
Corncin Peterson was missing for some time and IL
was thought she had perished in tho building, but
about hour after in Information received that shc
had reached her home safety. They all singcd,
however,, but none OF the live received any serious
wounds
AN AGoNzISG SCENE.
But th most terrible portion Of this disaster yet
be told The brave woman who had risked her own
life to save the others among those who
reached the window. Before she and Ann Patterson
and Maria Hoover could follow their companions even
that avenue OF escape was cut OIL Great
tongues OF flame suddenly burst up through
through which would have been Certain rus ans
terrible death. Tho great crowd which had coec ed
the street could SEQ the three women rushing from
OF the room 10 the other, making frantic
gestures TOR assistance but help was parayzcd by the
intense heat which went out from the burning build
ing. With cry OF despair the trio the lurid flame
increasing, and they driven back up the stairway
continuing on until they reached the fourth floor
Here they felt safe tor bret time, and bric was for
minutes had only elapsed before the flames
creeping through the floor. There lime
thought and only desperate resort could them
The agonizcd crowd that was powcrless to aid
shouted Jump jump" ''fbon't be burned TO death ;
you had better be MANNED than that Jump, and
Will save you " some men rolled bales OF rags and
cnoddy under the windows aud callcd again to the
women who could be through the smoke wildly
eestculatins and implorng help only despair can,
the cruel flames even then sngeng them. The
excitement in The crowd was almost madress. Some
lost their wits entirely. and the men piled up the
rags for tho women To fall upon others dragged away,
not knowing what they did.
TgRRiArfE LEAP
Ann Patterson was the first TO attempt to escape by
this terrible alternative Climbing upon the window
sill she made the irightful leap into the street
stories below. Strong men sckcncd and turned away
their heads. There was moment Of awful suspense.
The second Of time occupied IN falling seemed like an
hour to those who witnessed the sight, and when she
struck tho pavement cry OF agony arose from the
multitude heart rcnding to hear and which those who
present will never foraet
Tho other women had secured n rope, which they
fastened to the SILL but It only reached down top
OF the second story windows 1t was the best they
could secure, however and one came down after the
other. Ellen Hever lrst and Ann Patterson The
fall from thc cnd OF the rope was very severe, and
when the three picked up they
bruised and mangcd beyond recognition
They were tenderly lifted up by compassionate hands
and borne 10 ncighboring drug stores Ellen Hevcr,
horribly manged. placed IN ambulance TO be
taken 10 ST. Mary's Hospital, alter her wounds had
been Temporarily dressed but she died even before the
driver could start
Ann Patterson carried 10 ST. Mary's Hospital,
where she died IN an hours time. She thirtyo
years of age, single, and lived Bainbridgo street,
near Gray's Ferry road.
DANGEROUSLY HURT.
Maria Hoover was carried TO drug store at Third
and George streets and her burns dressed alter which
she was removed TO ST. Mnry's Hospital Her appear
like that OF the other two frighiul to de-
scribe, and Is feared her Injuries will also prove
fatal She resides at Grays Ferry road and Alter
street.