The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-01-10
Thrilling Incident of the st. John
Fire,

Flre.
We copy from Mr. Stewards work on 1.-THE
Great Fire in St. Jonn, \. b." the following
graphic account OF one of the adventures OF
that fearful night.-Ep TRANS.
Mr.. John Z. Turnbull's sash factory in
Main stree, despite all eXertions, caught
So quickly that the workmen narrowly
escaped from the ruins with their lives.
Mr.. Turnbull crossed the street to his
residence, which, like many others on
nable. He had worked long at the fac
tory, and had stored in his house large
quantity of betting and tools of his work
shop. He had carefully gathered up
everything of an iutlammable character,
end had swept the yard clean, so tn
nothing could iguite and spread around
the fire, that but too readily drvoured every
thing in its way. A vigorous defence
was inaugurated to save the house. Mr..
Turnbull had good assistants. His sons
were there working like beavers, and Mr..
Walker Friuk, in his department, stayed
the flames for a long time. The neigh
bors, believing, like Mr.. Turnbull, that
nothin. c. MD harm his house, had piled
large quantities OF furniture against its
front. These were lying before the win
dows of the cellar, and after while took
fire. Mrs. Tuinbull, fearing that the
house might after all be burned, and at
the request of her husband, made her es-
cape 10y the back window, and had to be
lifted over the fence. 1t was well that
she did gu,for in few minutes the house
was threatened from dozen quarters.
The fence in the rear was cracking. and
Mr.. Turnbull went down into the eel ar
and began to shove off the burning furni-
ture from the windows. He worked
away at this for some time, never dream
ing that the tire was so near TO him, or
that escape would soon be cut off. He
had lost his hearing some years before,
and did not hear the roar of the fire noe
feel its approach. His son James wa,
upstairs battling with the fire, and Mr..
Frink was ON the roof james Turnbull,
realizing in an instant the condition of
his father and his intirmity, and knowing
we'll tie determined character of his
nature, was about u rush into the cellar
and tell him how near the fire was, when
he turned and beheli dark shadow in
the doorway. Ii was coming towards
him, uHu tor a moment struck terror into
bis soul. The tall figure of woman,
deeply robed III black, holding up long
train in her hand, and with head-drcss all
all me, ST oil before him in the hall He
advanced OHhrds her, rs soon H. he could
recOvei binset, ami at once tore oti the
burning hca'i-drc,s ald stamped 1t with
his foot. He then brushed ihe kiudtiug
sparks I. ON her dress. Sac seemed de-
menteti and unable To- Understand the ma
ture of lhese proceedings. Indeed she
demonstrated with him. and begged him
not to destroy her bonnet The fire had
crazeu her DIaiI. ami alter escaping from
her h"rse size had wtuucreI into Mr..
Turnbu Is blazing residence, unheeiful
OF the terrible burns she had received.
and notwlth tanning that she was on fire
herself u s.vetal plac :, James. realizing
the state OF aft .irs at once, coIXed her L.
90 with him To the cellar TO see his father,
but size hung back aud inplored him to
leave her there. He was forced to drag
her unwillingly along, and together they
both arrived at the place where the father
was still laboriug to extinguish the fire
that WAS coming from all sides. He knew
nothing of the great Roadway tIat hal
been made upstairs, and had not even
begun TO realize the danger Of his sitaa-
ton it.leY.
ASS ,ou a. he saw the lady he told hi,
son u 20 and fetch mat and throw 1t
over her, and he would be with them in a
few nj utcs. This VS. dooe, but as often
as this nat WIS WRAPPED AROUND her, it
was thrown off agi ain Some moments
passed. and Mr. Turubull finding that he
could do no more, resolved to leave the
house. He and his son and the lady went
upstairs, where a sight that would have
appalled, a heart of stone met bis eyes.
Ali hope of escape through the alley in
the rear was cut off. The house was on
fire in the back The flames were melt
ing the roof in dozen places. Ga either
. the blaze was a, its height, and not a
~ be lost. Escape lay in
that was hazard
face the
per
they