, 1878-01-11
Thrilling Incident Of the st. John
Fire.

Thrilling Incident Of the st. John
Fire.
We copy from Mr. Stewards work on "The
Great Fire in st. JOln, y. b. the following
graphic account of one of the adventures OF
thai fear(ul night-ED. TRANS
Mr. John L. TurnbuI's sash factory. in
Main stree, despite all cxertiOns, caught
SO quickly that the workmen narrowly
escape from the ruins with their lives.
Mr.. TurnLull crossed the street to his
residence, which, like many Others on
that eveltful day, he considered impreg-
nable. He had worked long at the fac
tory, and had stored in his house a large
quantity of betting and tools of his work
shop. He had carefully gathered up
everything of an intlammable character
end had swept the yard clean, so tn It
nothing could iguite and spread around
the fire, that bur too readily d"vOuredevery-
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 MIR.
Walker Frink, in his department, stayed
the flames for long time. The neigh
bors, believing, like Mr.. Turnbull, that
nothing cou'd nnrm 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. TuinGull, fearing that the
house might after all be burned, and at
the request of her husband, made her es-
cape by the back window, and had to be
lifted over the fence. 1t was well that
she did go,for in few minutes the house
was threatened from a dozen quarters.
The fence in the rear was cracking, and
Mr.. Turnbull went down into the cellar
aud began to shove off the burning furni.
ture from the windows. He worked
away at this for some time, never dream.
ing that the fire was so near to him, or
that escape would soon be cut off. He
had los' his hearing some years before,
and did not hear the roar Of the fire nor
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 infrmity, and knowing
well the determined character of his
nature, was about To rush into the cellar
and tell him how near the fire was when
he turned and beheld dark shadow in
the doorway. 1t was coming towards
him, anu Tor a moment struck terror into
his soul The tall figure Of woman,
deepIy rohed in black, holding up a long
train in her hand, and with head dress all
af tmc, ST cd before him in the hall. He
advanced towards her, us soon as he could
recover himseIt, and at once tore oil the
burning head-dress and stamped it with
his foot. He then brushed the kipdling
sparks Il ON her dress. She seemed de-
mented aud unable to understand the ma
ture Of ihese proceedings. Indeed she
demonstrated with him, and begged him
not to destroy her bonnet. The fire had
Cra2ed her brain, and after escaping from
her house she had wandered into Mr..
TnrnbuH's blazing residence, uuhcedrul
OF the iurribIe burus she had received.
and notwithstanding that she was ON fire
herself n several plsc :, James, realizing
the stale of at airs at once, cOixcd her L,
60 with him To the cellar 20 see his father
but she hung back aud implored him to
leave her there. He was forced 10 drag
her unwillingly along, and together they
both arrived at the place where the father
was still iaborng to eXtinguish the fire
that MAS coming from all sides. He knew
nothing of the great hcadway that had
been made up-stairs, and ha1 not even
begun To realize the danger # his .itua.
ton below.
As an "A, he ssw the lady he tod nj.
son tD go AID tytrh mat and tbryV IL
over her, aud br aouli bc with them IN a
few nj utrs, fhi- w1sioac. but o.. often
H. thi. mat Ans Uralp-t around hrr. ii
was thrown oH aguu some moment.
passed, aud Mr. TJrubg'I ualiug that b,
could do no more, resolved u leave Che
house. lie aud Doh. sUn lud t.Is lady sent
up-stair,, where "a sight that would have
sppall,d heart OF stone met li. eve.
All hope uf escape through oh. aI.,v In
The rear Wus cut uH The huu., sH, or
Gre in the back. The frm.. acre u.e.t.
ing the roof in % dozen places. Ou D.hg.
side the blaze vs. a' i's Uy'gl'. anfH.fs
moment was o. ba .D,t L-gaue at iH
one direction only, AMI that aa. hazard.
Gus IN the extreme. TDny must ia.. f..
FIRE and c.capr by the font iHur, 1r per.
ish where they s,oDd The position tbry
were in was trying. hlt furtuul's.y fr
them their nerves We're strong. aud they
were cool and collected And now they
began preparing for the struggle The