The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1881-12-15
HEARTREyDING ACCIDENT.
Twelve Wen burned tn Death i'm q
boarding House.

boarding House.
A,srribia acci.en, occurred on the line OF the
Lake Irio railroad, seven miles from Pittsburgh.
lalorers clearinghouse was set on fire by
the explosion Of lamp. and Of forty persons
known 10 be sleeping only twenty-eight escaped
alive, and even they were more or less burned.
Not one Of them succeeded in securing his
clothes. 20 rapid was the progress OF the
flames. The others were literally roasted
10 death. without the possibility Of IN
effort Icing made to rescue them. The
victims were raid oad laborers, and were WORK
M at the place indicated. The building was a
one-storv frame structure. with an attic or loft.
The lower part was used for dining room
and kitchen. Into this loft forty-three stal-
war, iaen retired to sleep after finish
by flight OF stairs which started from
near the kitchen door. There were no
windows but, in lien Of them, there were two
small holes i'll the roof to admit light and air.
These were closed at night by q sliding door, to
keep out the cold.
In the morning the keeper Of the board
IN ,-honse, Hugh McCune, got up to build
a lire in the kitchen stove, carrying with him an
ordinary kerosenelamp. which he placed upon
table while he went for kiniling wood. 1t is
supposed that, during his absence, the lamp
chimney burst and by some means threw the
lamp upon the floor, allowing the oil to run out.
The stairway was composed Of light, dry pine
boards, and they We're soon abiaze.
The flames quickly spread to the loft,
where the unfortunate men were sleep
ing, all unconscious Of the terrible fate
wnlc.I awaited them. The floor or the loft Was
covered with straW-bcds and bedding The
flames made rapid progress, aud soon reached
this mass of infammable material. Abontthis
time the sleepers were aroused by the cries OF
the females emnloved about the place and
they at once made rush for the stairs, but
they were confronted by . wall Of fire Which
forced them back in dismay. rush
was then made for the OPEN
ings in the roof by the half-crazed
men, and struggle for life took place, each
irving to crowd the other out Of tie way. As
only one at q time could be forced through The
spertures ON account OF their small size Sonc
OF the poor fellows, seeing that all could lot
escape in this way, caught ut anv shadow OF
hope that offered, and tried 70 dash down the
stairs and through the flames, oiils to mett n
horrible death. The men had not time to clothe
themselves, 40 sudden was the alarm, and 80
quickly did the fire make headway. Those who
made their escape, however, seemed 50 levitt
dered by the sudden oatIurst OF tie names
and the cries OF tier companions, that they
rushed back into the burning building, al
tempting to save their little property. At
this moment the crash came. The frail
walls, weakened by the attacks OF tho
flames. crushed in upon the nnfor,naates and
their cries for help We're drowned Ia the rear
OF the flames. The scene at This monic,.t can.
not be described. shfeas and groans welt up
on every side from the poor unfortunatca, who
had been burned and scorcLed in sekening
manner. Strong men, with great patches O.
skin and flesh peeled from their bodies by the
touch Of the ire, rolled upon ths ground in
their agony.