The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1879-02-20
COMPLICATIONS,
THE SOLDIERS AND SAILORS Or
PHANS' HOME AT NENTA TO-
TALLY DESTROYED.


Xenia, o., Feb, l6.-Just az the children Of the
Orphans Home had finished their breakfast this
morning and returned to their cottages and the
employees were being seated for breakfast, smoke
was discovered coming through the floor into the
employees dining room. The alarm was given by
one Of the ladies' but IT was 6rst thought that 1t
was only the carpet on hte, After a moments
inspection II was found to come from the cellar.
David Evans, engineer aud Thomas Proctor, edi
tor Of the Home Weekly, Immediately ran down
the stairs to discover the cause, and when they
opened the door the flames burst on them and
drove them back. They turned on the water
from the pipes and attempted to fight the flames
with buckets, but 10 no avail The alarm was
sounded and the hose attached to the plugs and
vigorous fight made to conine 1t to the cellar,
but the flames leaped past them up the stairway,
and in less than five minutes had reached the
roof ard cut off all means OF escape, save by
leaping from the windows, which many were
compelled to do.
The steam whistle was sounded and messen.
gers sent to town for assistance, and the Fire De-
partment was on the ground in about twenty
minutes after the first breaking out Of the fire,
and worked like heroes for six hours and did all
in their power to save the property, but the main
the domestic building 100 by 80 feet, two stories
high, with all their contents were destroyed.
John Weaver, plpeman of Engine No. 2 slipped
and fell TO the cellar, and was dangerously injur.
ed. Dr. Keifer and all connected with the Home
speak in the highest praise OF the Xenia flremen.
Senators Richards, Sabin, Carlisle, seItz Curtss,
and Mack, Representatives Turner, Dodds, and
Smith came down from Columbus last night to
| - "a nf
tired out by their arduous labors in behalf of the
State, were still in their beds. Senator Richards
and wife leaped from the second.stOry window
and were caught in blanket held by four men.
Just at this moment Asa Keller, son Of the Super
intendent appeared at one Of the south windows
with his aged mother in his arms and called for
assistance and Charles Dill, the assistant farmer
a very powerful man, called out to him to let her
fall and he would catch her. which he did with
out causing her any injury, and he rendered
very valuable service in saving others in SINH
lar manner
Representative Dodds Of Hamilton county,
threw his bed from the window, intending to fol,
ow 1t out and thereby break his fall, bat the bed
did not fall In such manner as to render him
much assistance, and the frightened legislator
| appeared at the window, boots in hand calling
for some one to arrange his bed so that he might
| Jump on 1t, which was done, and he jumped from
the window and landed with but slight bruises
Senator Mack lost his coat and vest and about
| $40 In money.
Mrs Belsford, wife of the Steward was rescued
| from one Of the windows, but was seriously
burned about the face and head.
Nellie Conway, an employe OF the laundry, ran
down the stairway through the flames with moth
ing on but her night ClOthlng and II Is reared she
| is fatally inj red.
Dr. Keller was at breakfast, and lost all but
| what he had on, and was driven out III the cold
| without shoes or hat. The Doctors GOODNESS and
presence of mind is commented on by all. The
| child .en were kept in their cottages and, from
| the looks of things around the building, no one
thought that 600 children were within the
grounds.
All e account books, records library, and ev.
erything save q few chairs and tables, were de
| strOyed. DR.. Kefer estimates the loss from S6j-
| 900 to SIS 600, and the loss of the employees will
| foot up So 1000 to 10 600 more.
| All the attaches and others that rOOmed in the
main building lost everything except what they
| were wearing
| ing room and Kitchen and rooms In the new
| school house will be turned into sleeping apart.
ments for the present. The children were fur
| nished with lunch at the cottages to-day
| telegram was sent to the members OF the
Board requesting them to meet in the morning
for the purpose Of deviSing some means for keep
ing the institution going on until new buildings
| can be erected
How the fire originated Is what none attempt
to explain as tn re is no fire used in that part of
the building the entire house being heated by
| steam rumOr was in circulation that 1t was
SET on fire by a half.witted boy, who is very mis-
chievous, but on investigation 1t proved 10 be
| proundless The only reasonable theory seems
| to be spontaneous combustion. A large quantity
of paper and rags were piled In that part OF the
| building close to steam coil, which might have
done the work.
Thousands of people visit d the ruins to-day,
and sadness could be read upon thsir faces as
they gszed on the backened ruins of the noble
structure which stood few hours before mon
ument of hoBor to the State.
FIRES AT OTHER POINTS.
Pittsburgh Pa FEB. l6.-Eary this morning a
man named George Scherer discovered q dwell.
ing located in Franklin township wrapped in