Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-12-31
AMEs IN A NORFOLK HOTEL.
A Fire Dogs Heroism.

Among the unpublished heroes of the
Windsor Theatre was Christian John
ston's dog. who went up in blaze of
glory. Fritz was big Newfoundland,
great pet in the Hartmann Hotel, next
door to the theatre. He was in love with
his masters daughter, little Julia, years
old. They were always together. The dog
slept at the foot of her bed by night, and
she was never out of his sight. He saved
her life twice before the destruction Of
the Windsor. She would have been
drowned off Coney Island last summer
had it not been for Fritz. Little Julia inno-
Gently ran out to meet an incoming wave.
The dog saw the danger his little mistress
courted, and dashed after her. bringing
her to land before the receding wave
could drag her out. Again the child was
intrusted to a green German lad to be
taken to dime museum. Fritz went
along also. The boy carelessly dropped
the child before the feet of galloping
Third avenue street car horses. Fritz
bounded on the track between the horses
and Julia, and the child was snatched
from danger by gentleman.
No wonder, then, that Fritz was treated
more as a member of the Johnston family
than as dependent, and ate his meals at
the same table in the dining-rOom with
them. He could do everything but talk
and use a knife and fork. When the cry
of sire" startled the lower end of the Bow
ery's transient and regular population,
Fritz was awake. He barked Justify, for
the door was shut upon himself and Mr..
Johnston's daughter. In the hurry Julia
had been overlooked. But quickly the
missing face flashed upon father and
mother, and the look of anguish that
spread over their features will ever be
remembered by the on-loOkers. The
parents searched through all the groups
that stood around viewing the scene
with that awe that blood-red flames,
fringed with dense black smoke, always
inspire. But no Julia answered their
frenzied call. By this time the police
line had been formed, and all who might
have been of service were driven back
indiscriminately with the obtrusive sight
seers.
sob, save my Juliap' cried the heart
sick father, while the mother lay fainting
in his arms.
Too late now," said the nearest police
man, mo one would dare to enter that
furnace" The officer spoke truly; no
one would. The heat was uncomfortable
within forty feet of the outer wall.
At this moment the wind blew away
the smoke from the hotel entrance, and
the flames lighted up the heroic deed.
Down through the frey hallway came a
singed something on four legs, holding in.
its mouth "A sineed something else. 1t was
Fritz bearing Julia. How the dog opened
the bedroom door will never be known.
But he brought the child safely through
death to her father, who was now weep
ing for joy. When he dropped his
bundle gently at his masters feet she as
alive and soon recovered.
But the dogl
The policemen saw the dog inside the
fire line. and rushed at him with extended
club. From the other side, towards which
Fritz turned to flee, darted another police
man, bent on some kind of mission. The
dog saw that he was hemmed in, and that
there was no escape from being clubbed
to death.
Yes, there was one!
And the dog chose i'll
Back into the fiery furnace he flew, with
the officers just behind. Not hesitating,
the dog gave one howl and then disaD-
peaTed in an ocean of flame. The lire
waXed hotter and hotter, tie walls fell,
and amid great whirlwind of fame and
smoke the faithful animal yielded his life.