Brookings County sentinel. (Brookings, Dakota [S.D.]) 1882-1890, 1883-01-25
MILWAUKEE'S GRIEF.
The NswhaIi Hease Calamity and the
Long List Of Victims Of the
Fiery Visitation.
A SAD ARRAY OF CHARRED REMAINS

A SAD ARRAY OF CHARRED REhAIRs.
Gtron the Evening Wisconsin, Jauuar. 49,
HERO COMPLIMENTARY.
The Chicago News says ed!torially OF
tne OF The heroes of the great fire:
hero and his name is Herman I. Stauss.
Let Ms hope there il no mistake about his iden-
tity, for 1t would be az unjust to credit John
smith with the victory at Gettysburg snd leave
Meade uDmentioned az to credit the sensible,
practical, and gallant efforts Of the befo Of the
Milwaukee fire TO the wrong man. While the
hremsn were vainly endeavoring to help the
shiieking ard despsiring inmates OF the doomed
building by spreading pieces of canvas to
break their fail, or raising impotent ladders
that fell short of the purpose. this cool headed
fellow climbed on TO ali adjoining building,
threw ladder across the alley separating It
from the burning pie. and transferred eleven
Of the terrified servant girls TO the neighboring
roof and to safety. He not only called upon
them to cross the bridge thus improvisod. but
he went into the burning hotel himself, drag
gcd ont the senseless girls whom he found half
suirOcatcd on the floors Of the rooms. and car
rIed them safely TO the other roof. One large
woman was 20 crased with fright that she
sctuaiy fought him and threw herself from
tue fiail support as he was bearing her over;
but he caught her again, though the ladder
tUttcrCd and he himself was nearly dragged to
death. and finally succeeded in landing her on
the other side. We are told that the spectators
cheered. We should think so. II was ali act
of herUlsm which has not been surpassed in
the country. All honor to Herman r. Stauss.
II tha Milwaukee people do not appreciate and
reward him, the country at large should do so.
II but one man in fifty Of those who looked on
at the awful scene had initiated his example,
the list Of the dead and dying would be less
mournful and terrible.
from the Evening Wisconsin, January lsth.l
RELICS OF THE CALAMITY.
The search through the heap of
bricks, blackened timbers, beds of char.
red Goals, layers Of smoke-colored dust
and ponds of water, which compose the
Newhall ruins, two words that are in
the mouths of all, has been not only pro-
ductive in the discovery of dozens OF
inundated victims, but also Of thousands
of articles Of all descriptions, such as
could not be found in any general store
in the republic, but would necessitate
visiting several to procure. And in
what condition? Some have passed
through the terrible ordeal of the ole
ments without scath, others are
smoked, others saturated with water,
some burned aud melted into inconceiv-
able shapes, while still others are only
charrcd at the corners and edges by the
devouring flames, and are exhumed to
be through all existence forcible remind
ers of the trighttul calamity which de-
crensed the population OF Mil
waukee by Il hundred hives III
so shocking manner. Some
call them relics. They are relies such
AS will bring the pang of sorrowlug re-
membrancc on sight, for scores of years
hence, when the burning of the home
like old NeWhall will be marked Ill the
pages OF history rs Milwaukcc's biackest
Of all dark days. 4 portion OF the Ii
brary owned 10y Henry Payne was ex-
humed ut the scpulchre yesterday, and
as the workalen were removing several
volumes of Coop,r's works, they dis
covered these popular editions hao
formed covering for the baked bones
Ui some unfortunate soul, who fought
and died i'll fir. In future days. when
those pages nave been cleaned, rebound
and their history prrpetnated, a reader
will glance through the gildcd thoughts
contomcd IN the printed works und
shudder as he drops Il tear for the sacri-
feed, for winch that very book had
helped form rpory grave, covering.
Many valuahl' Il useful pieces, IN
cluding a numrv. of ladies' and gentle
mems gold watches are among the things
which have been found. These time
pieces. which have been
FoNDLED BY LOVING HANDS
IN gladly answering II request for the
mOur Of the day, or Whose seemingly
slow turning hands have been eagerly
and impatiently watched until they
should point ont the exact minute an
nOuncIng the arrival of some dear one,
are not all beyond repair. Judge
George Reeds watch was taken from
the graveyard ds6ris yesterday sorely
battered and baked, with half the case
gone. The back remained intact, and
ON being opened revealed to anxious
eyes the words which proved beyond .
doubt the name Of the owner, and how
acquired at the hands of staunch friends
aud true, in this language: "To
George Reed, protector OF the
Wisconsin Central Railroad, from
his friends of Stevens Point.
Waupaca, Weyauwega and Wau-
sau. The ill.used time piece was
turned over to George E. Reed, son of
the ili-fated owner, and what conflicting
thoughts will surge through Lis brain in
after years when his eyes are directed
upon the begiimmed reminder. Llrge
numbers of rings we're found, some of
which were very costly and set with dia-
monds, but none more costly than dear
Engagement and wedding rings, round.
endless, golden circles, emblematical of
faith and love, were taken from the still
steamiug bed Of death, many of which
will yer again be worn by the dear
ones to whom they were given with such
fervency and devotion. A gold signet
ring was found, it's brightness dulled by
smoke and dirt, which was discovered To
be inscribed us follows on being cleansed:
katie to Will, Dec. 25, 1880" A
Christmas present for some loving wife,
sister or sweetheart. But where is the
wearer? Perhaps, and likely too. cold
III the grasp of
DEATHS RELENTLESS CLUTCHES.
There were memoranda books dug out,
containing dates of happy and mour2-
full occurrence, business transactions and
the records of year-some Of them for
1882, which died 30 short while-and
some noting the events of the new born
year of 'S3. Trunks, which by their
contents, proved to have been owned by
persons of both sexes, have been re-
moved and strange to say were found in
many instances to be in good or fair con-
dition. On being opened. which was
rendered difficult by the action of the
fire and water, the contents were found
smoked and damp, even saturated and
black. Out Of Mrs. Charles W. Sher-
mans trunk was removed a bundle of
loving letters from her husband, tied
carefully and neatly in ribbon once
blue, but faded pale white. The mis-
sives were soiled and wet, but ON being
exposed to heat, became dry and could
easily be read. From the trunk which
is said to belong to George q. Smith,
was taken brace of pistols,
large old blunderbusses. of the