The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1879-11-13
BURNED TO DEATH.
BY the Burning OF a Candy Factory at Kansas
City, About Twenty Boys and Girls Are

City, About Twenty Boys and Girls Are
Roasted. sti.s.. .sflE...t ......
Shortly after 1 o'clock p. M, on the 9TH inst,
the roof and walls of Corles' cracker and candy
factory, Nos. 2O2 to 2OS Main street, Kansas
City, feliin with tremendous crash, and in a
few seconds flames sprung from the mass of
debris. An alarm was at once turned in, sum-
moning the fire department to the scene. In
the building about 50 persons were employed,
mainly young girls and boys. AS the news
of the disaster spread great excitement
prevailed. Fathers, mothers, brothers and
sisters of those at work in the factory
rushed to the scene of the calamity, and soon a
packed mass of human beings filled the streets
and sidewalks in the vicinity of the factory.
The city was wild with excitement, and thou
sands from the adjoining bluffs watched the
blazing building. From the huge wreck issued
screams, shrieks, and the crash of falling tim.
bers and masses of brick. The furnaces were
in full blast at the time of the accident and the
building was dry as finder. A dense black
smoke, through which the flames shot up,
canopied the scene. The fire department was
promptly on hand, and, with citizens, worked
like heroes, but for long time were powerless
to arrest the flames The fire was finally sub
dued, and then followed the search for the
dead and wounded. The bodies of the follow
ing were taken out, one after another, from the
burned or crushed to DEATH Annie Becker
John Shuttys, Emma Kemper, Mary Cooper
Eddie Mcconnell, Louise Hummell, and ten
boys, names at present unknown. ... ..
The walls crumbled and the roof rell in be-
cause of the overlooking of the building with
machinery and stock. Tons of machinery
were in the building, which was very old
and weak one. The scene at the terrible catas-
trophe when the news had spread over the
city was heart-rending in the extreme. Moth
ers, fathers, sisters, and brothers were
there in terrible suspense over the fate of
some loved Ones Anxious and fearful in
auiries were made of those who escaped
from the building, but in the excitement of the
moment no definite information could be
learned, and all the poor distracted relations
could do was to hope against hope. The news
of the horrible disaster when fully known set
tied over the city like pail -, = ~. a4nu
The number lost will finally prove about
twenty, probably, as the smallest number that
could have been in the building is stated at
seventy one and there probably were ninety at
the works .....
Mr.. Corles' loss on stock, machinery, and
building is some 1900; insured for $l5, 000
He is half crazy at the thought of the horrible
loss of life that attended the disaster. A num-
Der of he roic incidents are told of the scenes at
ahe fearful ecene, among which may be noted
the following:
When the flames were first seen issuing from
the confused mass of bricks, machinery and
goods, Andy Scanlon, formerly foreman on No.
2, was on the opposite side of the street. and
almost in front of the fallen building. His first
thought upon seeing the spiteful hames was
of the rescue of those in the burning mass
He knew that large number of children and
girls were employed in the establishment,
and in the confusion that would neces-
sarily ensue many lives would be needlessly
lost if prompt measures were not taken to as
sist them. Accordingly he rushed into the
building and brought forth three persons in
rapid succession, and returned for another,
and, grasping the body of boy named Andy
Mcconnell, attempted to extricate him from
the PROSTATE timbers that ENGAGED him. His
efforts were unavaiiing, no one being on hand
to cut away the cruel letters that held the boy
as in wise Scanlon was compelled to forego
his exertions and leave the boy to his fate.
1t was discovered almost Immediately after
the dreadful crash that young lady was y ing
near the front of the building, head downward
and feet exposed. Her pjteous calls for assist
ance and terrible shrieks of agony brought
tears to the eyes of strong firemen, and with d
bravery sublime they fought fire and fame and
smoke, daring the danger of falling walls, to
rescue the crushed victim. The fire enveloped
the brave men, and, begrimed with smoke and
ashes, they were driven back but to
return. Through the doors of the
building, amid the burning and broken bear
ers, could be seen the daring men tearing off
the splintered timbers from where the poor girl
was imprisoned. The fremen were too eager,
and, turning the nozzle direct upon the res
cueps came near drowning them. Blinded by
the water and nearly sti1ied by smoke,
these men still struggled on. A shout of
horror went up from the crowd as the topping
wall suddenly pitched forward and appeared to
carry down into the ruins the brave men who
were SO boldly striving to rescue fellow being
from a horrible fate. For moment the heart
of every person was in his mouth, and death
like stiffness reigned supreme. The wind
veered a little and carried away the clouds of
smoke, showing that death had spared the res
cuers. There they stood, undaunted, resolute,
determined to save the girl. Her voice had been
hr 3hed and she was supposed dead. After
daring and brilliant attempt to loosen her from
the crushing .timbers, which was like facing
hell itself. they were successful, and amid the
rejoicings of the crowd Nettie Curtis was borne
away, ..-..,,:.,a4 ID .jsfl. at.,.. -.
Later accounts represent the horror as
not so destructive of life as at first reported,
the dead numbering six, and the severely
wounded seven. The evidence at the Coroner's
inquest went to show that the accident was
caused by an explosion of starch-dust in the
factory