Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-09-05
A TRANIp,S RENENGE-
He Impri>ons a MiIler's Daughters in "A
Burning Building.
Erie SDeeidl t0 PhiladsLDhia Press, 2d.


Erie SDeci1l 10 PhUadsLDbia Press. ed.
4 thrilling scene was witnessed last
night at the burning of a saw mill on the
SiN-Mile creek. south of WesleyvIlle. a
few miles from this city. One of the own
ers. Dallas Crawford, drove from his
premises a gang of tramps who requested
food and lodging. but We're unwilling to
work a few hours in payment. 4
vagrant who refused to 20. and drew a
deadly weapon, received the contents
of a shotgun in his leg. He
lurked around several days, waiting
for revenge. After supper last even
ING he saw Mr.. CrawfOrd's two little
daughters enter the mill, on the upper
floor of which play room had been par
titiOned off for them. Following them the
wretch fastened the door, while the chill
dren were PLAYING inside. Descending to
the basement he piled heaps of inflam-
able material in several points and then
set the whole on fire. TIE tiend'S inten-
tiOn was to burn the girls alive. i'm retalia-
tiOn for the shot imbedded in his flesh bv
their father. Ina few moments the lower
portion Of the mill was envelOped in
flames. Ingress or egress alike were cut
of and the girls seemed doomed to die the
most agOniZing of deaths.
\ THRILLING SCENE.
They crawled through hole upon the
roof. but were afraid to jump, as the dis
tance was thirty-five feet and the ground
thickly dotted with Jagged bOulders. No
ladders We're available, nor could the
flames have permitted their use if at
hand. The father and spectators turned
away sickened, mOmentarily expecting to
see the rafters yield and the children dis
appear into the roaring flames. The
mother, shTieking that if her darlings
could not be saved she would perish with
them, rushed TO the blazing build
Ing, but strong arms prevented the
execution of her frenZied resolution. At
this instant q deliverer appeared. a young
farmer named Alfred Il. BOnnell, carry
ing a coil of rope to which was fastened a
strong iron hook. Hastily strapping
climbing irons to his legs. he ascended a
tall OAK tree near the mill. In a moment
he stood on a limb high above the chill
dren, who gaZed at him with eager eyes.
The young man threw the rope so precise
" that the hook caught in the smaller
girls dress. Drawing the cord hand over
hand. the girl swung clear and was low
cred safely into her fathers arms.
AN INTREPID DELIvERER.
The crowd stood like statues as Bonnell
east his hook a second time to snatch a
human life from death that but few
seconds before appeared inevitable. He
succeeded in getting the rope to the other
child. who soon hung SUSPENDED in the
AIR, her clothing catching fire as she left
the perllous place. She was saved. how
ever without being much burned. When
the intrepid hero regained the
earth he sank down Overpowered bv
intense excitement. and was carried
away not second too soon for the safety
of himself and friends The boiler in the
burning mill, surrounded bv mass of
glaring Goals, exploded. the detonation
being heard for miles. Fragments of iron
plates. red-hOt farming machines. and
flaming timbers We're hurled hundreds of
feet. though. fortunately. not person was
injured. The incendiary tramp lied from
the scene of his crime on a stolen horse.
and escaped the vengeance Of the furious
farmers.