New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-01-11

bridge four OF them dead. Inc Hiazo VI ocios'"P.
wires enclrcling the building on the south ana east
sides played sad havoc with the unfortunate per-
sons who made the frghful jump for ife Several OF
the bodies we're cut into by the wres and then the
torn and bleeding forms would drop to the ground.
Others would strike the wires crosswise, rebound
and be hurled TO the ground with dreadful CRASH
To the poor waiter girls, all lodged in the sixth
story and the attic the saddest lot had fallen. VI
the sixty young girls only eleven were heard
from as alive this evening. 1t Is Ieareo
that the first estimate OF fifty hves
lost is far too low, and that fully
double that number were burned OF
smothered to death IN the blazing pyre. Inc
police patrol soon began their dreadful worK VI
gathering the dead and wounded. The former were
taken to the Morgue, which was soon filled, the
latter to the Central Police Station where tney
were cared for by physicians
From o'clock the interior of the building was
one mass of flames; tue upper floors soon giving
way and carrying the lower floors with them.
A laundering crash was heard for blocks, and then
the fire shot up fully fifty feet, sending shower OF
sharks and crders over the whole northern portion
of the city, carried ahead by brisk southwesteriy
wind Had it not been for the thick coat OF snow
on the roofs many a building north OF the hotei
would be mass of smoulder.ng ruins to-day. Long
ter the flames had taken possession OF the interior
Miss Chellis head-dressmaker at L. A Chapman "
Co.'s. WAS seen at her window on the fourth floor.
Sne was recognized by friends below, and impiored
to make he leap to the canvas; but she re-
mained standing at the window of her burning
room until the flames enveloped her and she sank to
be seen no more. In three-quarters of an hour
after the discovery of the fire the building was
total ruin
At $50 o'clock the Broadway front. unsupported
by rafters from within. gave out and came tnun-
derng TO the pavement. Shortly after that the
tottering walls or the southeast corner OF tne
building followed, tearing from the ground a heavy
telegraph POLE which felled b. Van Hsag truck
man, of Hook and Ladder Company No. 2. beneath
Its weight Van Haag, favorite in the depart
ment, died few hours later.
HELP CALLED FOR.
Chief Lippert had teleg -aphed to chicago ana
Racine for help also the Soldiers Home for the
steamer OF that institution. General Sharpe. Gov
ernor of the Home, failed t. comply with the re-
quest. Chicago and RacIue responded at once.
Three steamers1eft Chicago at $50 a. m Nos 8. 10
and Ii. together with two men each from
companies Nos. 9 and 3. and 1000 yards OF addl-
tional hose. At Highland Park, about twenty-five
miles north of Chicago the relief tram counter
manded by Chief Llppert the fire having had its
sway IN destroying the Newhall House. aud being
under control as far as tha surrounding establish
ments were concerned. The Racine relief train was
also count ermanded.
HEROIC DEEDS OF RESCUE.
deed of heroisn was recorded worthy Of un-
qualified praise. L. Ryemer and Herman Strauss,
of Truck No. L. appeared on the roof of the bank
building at critical iancture, directly opposite
the servants quarter. ladder III hand. For mo-
ment the unwicldv thing was poise1 III mid-alr and
then descended with a crash tnrough window OF
the hotel. 1t formed a bridge across
the alley, and before 1t became steady in position
ulen had crossed into the hotel. Then, amid the
cheers Of the multitude below, they dragged help
less creatures the slender bridge until fully
dozen wrre rescued all in their nght-clothes, but
many were badly frozen before reaching shelter.
A woman in dead faint was dragged across III
safety but at one time the whole of her body was
hanging over clear of the ladder, while a brave
heId ber 10y one of her ankles. The crowd below
held their breaths IN suspsnse, expecting every
moment to see the ladder tdrn or break bsneath
the terpbe strain. Ihe man. however was equal to
the emergency. BY hercuean effort he pulled her
noon tie slender bridge and finally placed her out
OF danger, while the crowd, which had endured the
most painful suspense for fully ten minutes,
burst forth in round after round of applause.
Twelve waiter-girls were rescued by these brave
men. The two brothers Clayton rescued four
women carrying them out bodily. The police res
cued dozen persons.
There Is louI talk of incendiarisrn, aud in this
theory the Cnief and the police who were first on
the ground concur. No talgib.e ground for such
theory can be found. hIwever, beyond the fact
that the fire broke out foot of tine elevator
aud spread 30 rapidly that the building was de-
sroyed in half an hour.
THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE.
FL. Of 6r. Al Anti tba
proprietor, said: "Tne night-watchman saw the
fire first. hui before he could do anything the
flames shot up the elevator igniting every door 1
AN confident that the fire startcd in the ELEVATOR
out how iG originated cannot say / was awak-
e1ed Dy the noise and rushed out, to find the build
ing filled with flames aud smoke. and people flying
for their lives. After saving my wife triei TO
save Others | met my father and mother
in their niaht-clothes aud tried to get them
to leave he building. which was
last becoming furnace of flames.
but father apparently out of bis head. He said
he was bound TO 60 into thu flames to save those in
the building but by force got him to the street.
and beng alraid that If let him go he would again
enter the flames. conducted hun by force down
Michigan-st When near tbs alley one fell
from the upper ioor TO the ground few feet away
and caused him to become frenzled"
number OF the rescued guests say the IRE started
In the basement and went through the elevat r to
all parts of tho bouse before an alarm could be
given man employed in the baSIng department,
who arrived on the at about o'clock, states
that he pass. ID to the tbrd floor and assisted in
culng number OF odgers. II is stated Oh good au-
thority that there fire the PORTO OF
The Guiding where there vas a wide fight Of
sfairs by means of which all those duartered on the
upper floors could have made their escape. How
ever the smoke dense, and those who were not
suffoca,ed lost her pre- sence of mind.
w. II. Crompton. the Old Rogers ia "Esmeralda."
of the Madison Square Theatre Company, Miss
Herbert. Mfs Dunlap and w. A. Layclie arrived oil
the midnight express from aukegan aud went to
IL. Intal Ar l,ro,nninn had Tonm No. 3I0 and