The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1877-04-12
THE SOUTHERN HOTEL FIRE.
THE LOSS OF LIFE NOT BELTEV-
ED TO BE AS GREAT AS AT
FIRST REPORTED.
A Large Force of Laborers Searching
the Ruins.

ST. LOUIS, April lI.-NlGHT hEPORT,
Many grossly exaggerated reports have
been sent from here to-day regarding the
loss of life; some Of them are cruel in the
extreme and should not be relied upon.
While the calamity was a trIghtful one, it
was by no means as great as has been re-
ported. The name OF every person known
to have been killed has been given in
these dispatches, and special pains have
been taken to ascertain as to the facts
and they have been faithfully reported
How many bodies there may be IN the ruins
Of the Southern is mere matter OF con-
lecture. Some think that % or % may be
found, while others do not believe that
any will be discovered. Persons who
were through the various parts of the no
tel Just before the floors began TO fall, say
they we're clear of living people. SILL there
may have been a number sufpcated and
lying on the floor in the halls when the
interior of the building fell. Tomorrow
search will commence. when the facts will
be known.
1t now proves that Skidmore Hayden
and Bridget Mead were killed. This re-
duces the number known to have lost their
lives to IL.
There were but about 50 female SER
wants iu the hotel instead Of 200, as prev
iously reported.
The insurance on the building was
S425 900; on the furniture $l42, 900,
The building was owned by Robert
Campbell and originally cost 81, $50, 900.
1t was purchased by Dir. Campbell for
| $525, 200, The furniture, which was owned
by Bresline, Darling & Co., was valued at
| $200,O and Is total loss.
TO-DAY's NEWS.
| ST. Louis, April 12.-The engine.
have been withdrawn from the ruin!
of the Southern hotel, and prepara
tions are being made to put men a
work at various points, and make thor
ough search for bodies. 1t is apprehendeC
that several female domestics of the hoCs
are buried beneath the ruins, as number
of them have not reported to the proprle
tors, and no account has been received o
item.
It now seems quite probable that Fl. j
Clark, wife and child, were among tn
} killed.
Mrs. Scott, who was reported dead yes
terday, was still alive at late hour las
night But there is no hope OF her re
covery.
Kate Claxton lost everything she pos
: sessed, and is suffering from nervous pros
tration. Her escape from the buildin
was attended with great difficulty an
much suffering from smoke and fright.
Miss Fannie McGlelland is in yer
critical condition. She jumped from th
fourth story to the roof of one-s stor
saloon adjoining the hotel. and sustained
n severe concussion Of the brain and spin
cord. She also has badly cut face an
= head, two penetrating wounds in the groi
fractured rib and several minor hurts.
From fifty to hundred men have bee
put to work on the ruins, by order of Ma
or Overstolze, and this force will be i
creased to hundred and fifty or two hu
, dre6 The search is now progressing ju
L underneath the rotunda, which was rail-
ing point for great numbers OF tue po'
stricken inmates Of the hotel, and it is e.
pected that some bodies may be four
there. Several interior walls which we
unsafe have been pulled down and all W
| be leveIed so that men can work all ov'
] the ruins without danger.
Mr.. Morrow. agent of a New Yol
re iewelry house, lost sample trunk CO
,g tanning SIT 900 worth of jewelry.
Gs fd This morning the remains of the trui
es were unearthed and between $400 al
$500 worth of its contents recovered In
damaged condition. The remainder
the iewelry was melted and is valuele
except as old metal.
Some manuscripts and papers belon
ing to Kate Claxton were also found.