New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-04-13
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. I

IN The HOUSE AT The DREAMING OUT HE
neutrality-suspicious. SCENES.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBUSE.I
ST. LOUIS April 12.-At present there is no posi-
bility Of making estimate Of the loss of life from
the burning of the Southern Hotel will there be
for some time. Already there dozen bodies re-
ported to be in the hands of the coroner of those
who threw themselves from the windows of the
burning building, OF of those who fell and were killed
in efforts to escape. isnot hoped even by the most
hopeful, that this represents half of the number
who met Their death this horrible occasion.
Unfortunately the records saved from the burning
hotel are so meager to afford satisfactory idea
of the number of Occupants--guests and employees.
The average daily number of guests transient and
permanent, without exagseratiOn may be placed at
300 though the number reported for Tuesday night
is only 2l0. In single wing of the hotel there
were crowded together the female employees of the
house, numbering 100. Then there the male
employees of the hotel, which will bring the
total number of human beings in the house
at the time of the breaking out of the
fire. to at least 500. What became of them
ALI Can it be hoped that. in the general
surprise and excitement all escaped with their lives
except the unlucky ~ who were killed by jumping
or falling from the windows. Were none of the 500
suffocated and burned after all means of escape
by the windows had been cut of by the rapid
progress of the fret Time only solve the terrible
mystery hidden beneath the ruins of the Southern;
even when the debris is overhaued, it is doubtful
if all the facts will be brought to hight for the con-
Stunning heat of the burning ruins will destroy the
CHASTITY relics and leave only shallow record of the
dead
One room in the Southern Hotel was the scene of
a terrible tragedy While the fire raging
Officer Blackboard was on the fourth floor en-
deavorng to aid the inmates to escape.
Just as he kicked in the door of the
room he heard two pistol shots, and
saw man aud woman lying on the floor appar-
emily dead or unconscious. Before he had time to
examine them the sufocating smoke drove him
from the apartment, and he thinks that they as
suredly perishcd. The theory of the sergeant is
that the couple were husband and wife, and that,
driven distracted at their perilous situation, they
preferred instantaneous death to torture by fire. and
ended their existence by Of powder and ball.
The body of the Rev. A. X. Adams, the English
Commissioner of Education, identified by the
Rev. Geo. c. Belts of Trinity Church, by the Rev.
H. d. JarlIne rector of the Church of the Good
Shepherd and by w. i. Morrison, cashier of the
Bondmen's Savings Bank. From Mr.. Solden, prin-
cipal of the Normal School here, it was
learned that Mr.. Adams was very much in
tcrested in education, and that he was col
lec.ing information in this country by which
he hoped to profit. Mr.. Adams desired certain
documents pertaining 10 the ST. Louis schools sent
him, and furnished Mr.. Solder with his address,
Stock Cross, Berkshire, England. He intended
leaving St. Louis to-day or Tomorrow. and stated
thai he intended introducing certain measures
which he had seen in St LOUIS in his English
school. Mr.. +. Adams relative who resides in
this city, will care for the remains and have them
4. IL. IL,
was on his way from Florida to California
The marriage, three months since, of the Hon.
VIM. Felix Austin Munster of Brighton, Sussex,
England. 10 Miss Blanch, daughter of Dr. H. G.
Lynch, a highly respected citizen of ST. Louis was
a brilliant social event. The bridal party left on a
tour to the South, and returned on the Grand Re-
public last Friday. They engaged board at the
Southern. Their rooms were on the fifth floor,
facing on Fourl-st. On the Inflated night the hus
band and wife had retired early. Under the
influence of an opiate Mr.. Munster slept
soundly. Mrs. Munster awOko before the
alarm became general and with difficulty aroused
her husband. Hastily dressing, they attempted to
escape by the hall. The smoke stitled and blinded
them. 1--WE will smother to DEATH" shricked tie
wife, and together they returned to the room they
had just quilted and closed the door. They looked
out of the window; no ladders were up; the
noise of the flames was heard, and they knew that
death was near; there seemed to be no hope Out
of sheets they made a rope and prepared 10
climb down. "Banche' said the husband.
She started but returned "How VIII you
get down if You give that rope :" said She "Wil
Won be brave ~ he asked. "Thcn we will die to-
petberD He had revolver and he said {: 1--WE will
at least not burn to DEATH" At this moment the
door was burst in. Some brave fellow lifted Mrs.
Minister to his shoulders and ran with her through
fine halls my husbandw she cried. lie followed
and answered. Scorched ami well nigh exhausted
they reached the street. Mr.. Munster later in the
morning visited the scene Ill company with
some friends The chastity whole seemed to
have depressing effect upon nm AL
about o'clock they went up to COniOys Office, In
building at the corner of Fourth and Olive-sts. and
Law down for a while. When daylight broke, and
the noise and hustle of the street told that the city
was awake, Mr. Donovan suggested an adjournment
TO his house for breakfast. Mr. Conr0y started
down the stairs Mr.. Donovan followed; Dr. Lynch
had lust left the room and closed the door "William
said the doctor to Munster, who tarried
The reply was the report of piss
fol. The party hurried back into the office.
Mr. Munster lay dead upon the floor.
He had taken revolver, the property of Mr. Conroy,
from bureau drawer, placed the muzzle III his
mouth, and fired. From Thom's " Irish Almanac"
your correspondent learned that William Felix
Austin Munster was the son of Lord Henry Munster
of Sussex, England. He was born at Brighton IN
1s49 and was in his 2Sth year at the time OF his
death. lie was graduate of both Oxford and the
London University, and was Bachelor OF Law lie
represented the MaOw District in 1872 and was
returned in 1874, serving with distinction and
credit. He has made periodical visits to America
during the past three years.
Miss Kate Claxton visited the scene OF the Gonna
grafton this morning to point ont the exact location