The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-05-02
THE ST. LOUIS HOLOCAUST.
TIE Aisns,er In st. observation-disclosures OF the
burning OF the Southern Hotel.

TIE 1isnster In st. observation-disclosures OF the
Burning OF the Southern Hotel.
The scene which presented itself dur.
ang the burning Of the Southern Hotel
y: St Louis, fairly beggars description,
s,:i cannot be presented with all it,
horrors. The great r number of rooms
Oh the two upper floors were occupied
by permanent boarders. These, awaken
Cd from their sleep by the terrible cry
ii fire and almost suffocated by the dense
smoke as it forced it's way through the
halls and rendered exit by them ex-
tremely hazardous, if not impossible
rushed to the windows, and throwing
them open, cried in agonized tones for
help. Those in the streets could see,
but could render no assistance further
than to cry Hold on ; hold on. Don't
jump. Well try and get you out"
The hook and ladder wagons came,
but there was seemingly an interminable
delay in getting to work, and, without
exaggeration, to the spectators who par
took of the prevailing excitement it
seemed as though the department was
without its usual efficiency, and that as
sistance would never be rendered. The
poor creatures hanging from the upper
windows continued their cries, which
smote upon the ears of their helpless
hearers below with such force rs can
better be imagined than described.
At last, when it seemed as though the
flames had gained almost full possession
of the sixth story, the ladders were
brought into rcquisition ; but they were
far too short, the longest scarcely reach
ing beyond the fourth floor.
The cries of "Heip Help " as they
rang forth from all sides, seemed to
paralyze the tiremen us we'll as the others
who were lookers-on. Some Il with q
cool head suggested that the longest
ladders be raised to the top OF the Wal
nut street veranda, which would have
the effect of frightening them by two
stories. This was done, and by it many
were saved.
Miss Kate Claxton's experiences with
the fiery element have been the means
of making her q most notable person.
She was q prominent figure in the record
OF the terrible Brooklyn fire, where sew
eral hundred lives were lost, and her
visit to St. Louis has added to her repu-
tation for good fortune in time of peril.
Thus far during her present engagement
of "The Two Orphans" at the Olympic,
she has been quartered at the Southern
and occupied a room on the third floor.
She was awakened from a sound sleep
by q loud cry of "iire !" from the hall.
Jumping out of bed, she CROPPED her way
to the door and opened it to find the
place was dense with smoke and that i'm
mediate action was necessary. Slipping
into the scantiest of garments, she threw
up one Of the windows to ascertain the
chance of escaping by that route, and,
finding it was decidedly slender, she
concluded her only hope of escape lay by
the hallway. People we're screaming
and hurrying past her door, and she de-
termined in nj instant to cast her lot
with lem. There were no lights, and
what was done had to be done in dark
ness. Entering the hall, she hurried in
the direction of the stairway, and, before
proceeding far, was materially assisted
by q gentleman, who seized hold of her
arm and pushed her along. With a
proper appreciation Of the need for
haste, when she came to the stairway
she fell down and rolled for some dis
lance after getting to the bottom, but,
not being badly hurt, was able to pick
herself up expeditiously and make her
escape. She lost every article Of clothing
she had in the hotel save what she had on.
A most pathetic scene was witnessed
by many Of the spec atcrs on the FcurtI
street side. Just rs the danger appeared
most imminent, in the fifth story window,
upon a background of lurid fame, might
be seen the profles of a man and woman,
shaking hands and taking o last farewell
of each other. They had stood at the
window and appealed for aid until hope
gave out, and-just when they felt the
volumes of smoke overcoming them and
saw the flames apparently stretching to-
ward them with rapid strides-they fell
into each others arms, and were evil
IDENTIFY prepared for the worst.
The scenes in the saloons where the
rescued persons were placed temporarily
were most heartrending. Many swooned
when they realized the danger they
had passed. Many were injured in
the crush; most of them were in. a
wretchelly forlorn condition as to cloth
ing, and III some of the saloons the dead
and dying were stretched ont waiting the
coming of friends. A thrilling scene
was witnessed at the east front ct about
half-past two o'clock. A number of peo-
pie had been taken out of that portion
OF the building by means of the Skinner
truck, which had then been removed, it
being supposed that that side had been
emptied of its inmates. Suddenly ut
n of the windows on the fourth floor q
man appeared in q night dress. CHANGING
around he seemed to realize his situa-
ton perfectly. The ladder had been
taken away, and below him was n sheer
descent of sixty feet. ID Jump was GER
tain death.
"What shall I dc? h, asked. "Stay
where you are" answered the crowd,
aroused to u clear ]'ppreciation of the
imminence of the danger, and Of the
possibility of secu ing help. "God de-
liver me /" he exc aimed, looking up Mt
the lurid sky, ana down ut the floors below
now oil ablaze. He looked up at the sky
and clasped his hands in prayer Lord,
for Jesus sake" could be easily heard by
the throng below, Gained into perfect
silence. It seemed hours before the
truck was brought. 1t must have seem
ed centuries to the lonely man, standing
at the dauHkned window, lighted by IN
occasional flash from the flames around
him, and startled by the crash, that
came here and there, Of falling walls.
Lord, for Jesus sake" he cried.
"Stand where you are" said fifty voices.
The truck finally came and was slowly
and clumsily raised to the window. Two
tiremen went up and put the mall on the
ladder. He came down slowly, his
limbs trembling beneath him.
At the bottom he raised himself up to
his full height. "Hurrah for St. Louis"
he cried; New York amt dead yet"
Then raising his hand up to the sky, he
said in a lower tone: "Lord, forgive me
for every sin that l have committed. To
think of having your door opened with a
crr op3 find tho uhnla huil,tinn IN fra