Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1881-01-07

closed the door on the advancing
fire. but it was too late. The rooms were
filled with smoke growing more dense every
moment, i'll which the woman and her chill
drcn groped about, vainly seeking the win
dows. They were found dead, evidently
choked before the flames reached them. The
Cassidy family had attempted to escape by
the ROOF. but, also failing, had reached The
wi;Siows aud flung themselves ont. Only
two of them, Charles and Thomas. boys of &
and years, were left. They were sufrocat-
ed, and when found, their clothes were
burned. The contoftions of their bodies
showed the agonizing struggle for life. OF
the Eagan family all Were saved but 4 little
girl Of ,.
BRAVE Roy.
The bravery of little Charley MckcnHa
was the subject of much praise. Though
only Is years Of age he remained hy his
little brothers and sisters, and, wrapping
them in blankets, he dropped them gently
from the second story window into the arms
of Gremen below Then finding his retreat
through the halfway cut oil he graspcd a
clothcs-lnc that was suspended between the
front and rear houses, and, walking hand
over hand until he reached the middle of the
yard, dropped safely in the arms of fircmen.
same manner
The place is up narrow alley, where two
persons can scarcely pass abreast. The mar
row passageway prevented the iiremcn from
putting up the ladders. While they were
making the attempt, some fircmen clan.bcrcd
up to the firc-cscapc and brought out the
children to the air, but they could not dcs-
ccnd the fire-csaape, and the flames and
smoke nearly blinded them.
HOW CHARLEY M'kENyA SAVED THREE LIVES.
From the Xew York Herald.
One brave boy, Charles Mckenna. saved
three lives hy such an heroic action that his
name should lie recorded forever in terms OF
warmesi praise. lie was i'll the room with
his baby sister, five months old, brother 81
three and half years old, and brother aged
seven. His mother had gone ont on an
Grand, he had just put on his coat and lat,
and with his books on his arm was about to
leave for school. lie opened the door and
turned 10 kiss his little sister in the cradle
when tongue of flame dartcd into the room
meeting him fairly in the face. With admir-
able presence of mind he closed the door, and
catching his younger brother in his arms
darted to the window. As he threw it up he
saw that escape was impossible. On the
shed in the opposite yard were some men
standing. and to them he called out, Catch
the baby" They braced TO do it, he meas
urcd the distance with his eye, swung the
child ont of the window ndthrcw it fairly into
the arms of the waiting people below. With
out waiting to see the result of his work he
turned to his brother and tried to throw him
out also The lad resisted with strength
which the brave youth could not overcome.
"Stand here 4 moment he said, placing him
in the middle of the room, and then doliing
his coat he went to the further corner of the
apartment and running swiftly toward the
open window caught the little fellow in his
arms as he passed, and before he could resist
launched the lad into the air, into the strong
arms held up 10 catch him as he fell.
There vet remained the babe in the cradle.
Hastily wrapping it in some clothing that
was convenient and wrapping himself IN
great coat at the same time, he drew the
babe to his breast and once more climbed
on to the window sill. There the brave boy
stood facing the flames that roared around
him and almost hidden in the smoke that
poured out of every window and enveloped
the house. The people below called TO hin
to throw the child down and jump himself
In response he shook his head calmly. Iii:
self-pOssessiOn never deserted him and draw
ing the baby closer to his breast he dashct
out TO the end of the fire escape, and watch
ing until there seemed to be lull in th'
smoke began his descent. He slid swiftly
from post to post, and when he reached tn
: last landing he hastily made n bag OF hi
coat, and putting the baby into it lowered /
: safely down. Then he dropped down to the
: ground and called out, is my brother
hurt = Even in that moment of excltcmen
the crowd recognized the hero with cheer
and they carried him and the three children
he had so bravely rescued on their shoulders
TO the frantic mother who thought they wer
! lost