The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1883-01-25

Il don't know that can give you
very connected account Of IL, but
you must pick IL out and put IL into
shape"
Where was your room In the New
hall HOuse?'
ION the fourth floor. didn't want
to go str high, ~ | was always afraid
III that noiei. aud besides nave always
ceen nervous since | ~ narrowly es-
capped from this southern. My escape
from both fires was made In the same
manner, 50 an account of one will do
for both.
|. chow did you awake ?"
SENSATIONS on WAKING.
81 am very sound sleeper. and II
is generally u job for the hotel ser
wants to wake me in time for "A train.
Many IA one have / missed on that a.-
count. But the morning of the fire |
awoke with a feeling 81 All enormous
weight on my chest that was uiomen-
tarialy getting heavier. / woke gasp
ing for breath and found both my
hands clutciiing my throat. Like
lightning the thought dawned up
on me that the room was filled To
bursting with smoke and that my life
was again in deadly peril. l could
hear the roar and cracking of the
flames in the hall and the next room.
A thin blaze was licking away at the
threshold Of my door, and nibbling
at the carpet, adding pungent WOODEN
scent to the smoke of burning wood
and paint. did not have the mil
lionth part of minute TO spare. Ny
eyes were starting from their sockets
aud my lungs burned like the fire
that Was raging in the doomed hotel.
| sprang from the bed aud threw my
self Hat on the floor and got respira-
ton of pure air. Next | threw the
blankets upon the floor against the
door 10 smoother the blaze that was
creeping in from the hall My head
was bewildered and turned about.
For one instant I CROPPED for my
clothing and my hand came in con-
tact with the PARTON between my
room and the next 1t was as hot as
a stove. | knew that another instant
in the room meant death.
OUT THE WINDOW.
Springing to the window with blow
OF my fist, | shattered the sash, aud,
as the smoke rushed by me in clouds,
{ leaned out for n breath Of fresh air,
knowing that / should need all my
strength in the desperate struggle for
life upon which had determined"
Here Mr.. Gentry paused u moment,
aud the reporter noticed that his feet
We're encased only In loose Overshoes.
II was in NV younger days SOME
thing OF gynnast. and under Ordi-
nary circumstances | can yet per-
form feats of dexterity and strength
Impossible to ali but u few outside OF
the circus ring. But when fighting
.uT life - was then my muscles be-
aain- like steel. ami my nerve was "a
steady a NJ present"
GpG iht"r,s ~ uc greatly" said the
reporter, PLEASE tell me about your
,.,rIpr
With No clothing but night shirt
! let M, s.lf r.n. from the window,
aHd WIN "A circular swing outward
IruIuti g. t,ic all of the window be-
meath fae sharp, cold stone cut
i-ep glShrs iu mE feet. hut they wer.
already nu'u',cd with frost. aud feit
uo pam, though ! could feel the warm
p'"oi in the puddle in which stood
| dared not look down upon the sea
If faces in thc street, all lit up by the
glare Of the con!iagra,ion. But their
shouts came To my ears IN "a confused
! nai dropped one story
aud that was something.
ANOTHER TERRIBLE DROP.
But haste WAS ncc,s sarv before tn, |
bitter COLI should nunib my limbs
arciully kn-it down on the sili and |
tripping the length IT my arms.
the swing To the window sill |
If the second story. In my excite |
uent did not notice the balcony ON |
he second story. My feet were so
numb that did no; teel the contact
with the stone AMI fell backward,
Is l fully believed to my death, but
he railing protected me, and lay in
/ heap exhausted. with So desthly q
hill and sd stiff In every muscle a.
q be unable To move or stir. A brave
ire,nan was there with ladder and
! blanket which he wrapped around
ne, and he carried me to the ground.
where / was put into Q sleigh and
aiken to the Plankinton Hon-e.
There ! received every attention; my
bleeding feet were dressed, and I was
applied with clothing. am still
Unable to wear boot or shoe, and Ii
will be months, I fear, before I shall
" able to walk with ease"
ut does not seem possible to make
UGH q leap. especially under these
said the reporter.
1T Is a simple trick enough when
ou have warm clothes and your feet
rell protected. 1 must confess how.
yer, that IL would be the last resort
q such grab and on such q night"
"What did you think az you lay up
n the balcony after the last drop? ."
THOUGHT HIMSELF DEAD.
II noticed my night shirt covered
18th blood from my feet and fingers,
nd felt sharp pains In my msDgled
nd bruised knees and shins.
bought at first that I had struck the
aveinent and was dead, and then I
'ished tn lie their. I felt like push
n the fireman away when be lifted
he up and put the blanket around me.
he process Of getting warm was tor
bile agony"
WAS this worse than your South.
IN Hotel experienceT
YES, much more. There was the
Inference in the weather, and the stills
'ere wider in that hotel"
you lost all your effects:"
Yes; my watch, jewelry andcloth.
u. I had but little money, intend.
* to draw upon the drn for funds
ne next day. I had Offers Of assis-
luce from dozen men, but was for
,nately able TO dispense with all ex-
ppt the loan ola suit Of clothes and
,ese big overshees," and Mr.. Gentry
brought his feet In front Of
i'm and studied their appearance.
Mr.. Gentry stated that he saw
othing Of the frightful scenes Of men, ,
nj women dashed to pieces on the
avement. for he was fully occupied
, his own escape, and after reaching
ne balcony became unconscious.
Lest his story should seem incred- !
lie the reporter desires here % state
lat he was personal witness 70 Nj. ,
entry's escape from the burning
outhern Hotel in st. Louis In about
recisely the manner described. and :
borrower knows him to b man Of
nth and vssaeity.