The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1884-02-09
Under Falling Walls - Men Burned or
Crushed to Death.

Crushed to Death.
ALLENTOWN, Feb. CT was smoky ant
dull about 0 o'clock to night. when th
changing bells announced that a building
was on fire in this usually quiet little city
Four steam engines, mounted by stronI
volunteers from among the best people o
place, sped TO the scene as fast as swift
horses could draw them. 1t was 9:l5 o.
clock when the first engine reached a poin
near the bridge that spans the Jordan
Creek.
1t found the extensive furniture factory
OF Gresham & Kluenter, which was built
almost flush against the bridge, in flames
The FIRE had caught in the frame structure
used as bending factory by Becker & Bro
All the bending was done in the frame
where the fire is supposed 10 have caught.
The engines were quickly at work, for this
pltcl has one of the most efficient volunteer
fire departments in the country.
It was probably ten minutes after the
alarm bef're the fremen mounted the
building. This structure bad been erected
as hre proof, en- ,e there was no hesitation
IN going in The roof was of brick, and
afched with iron girders. Hardly had the
iremen put their ladders up when the heat
or steam inside burst the building with a
loud explosion, and q sheet OF flame SINE
fifty or sixty feet in width swept out with
a horrible hiss. Ladders and men went
down beneath the falling walls. 1t was
terrible sight as the walls crumbed, bury
ing the men in the ruins.
Toe flames that illumined the scene died
away almost as quick as it had startled
those who were watching the progress ofthe
fire, leaving all in darkness. with the dead
and wounded lying almost within the reach
OF their friends. The report that mary
citizens were buried beneath the ruins
spread like wild fire, and thousands rushed
10 the spot The buried men were known
to every one who stood around the blazing
mass, and thev came forward to save them.
One OF the first t8Ken ont was Harry X
Kuriz, superintendent of the A len own
Gas Works, and son of W. w. Kurtz, broker,
No. 10 South Third Street, Philadelphia
His leg is broken below the knee and face
baily burned. He acted brave as a lion for
while his gas works were threatened and
his life in the balance, he said: leave ME
and help those who were on the laddei."
His life was only saved because he stood
near a doorway. When he was taken out
there was Almost panic, for every one at
first supposed him dead. Then rumors
spread that other prominent citizens were
in the burning building. People rushed
frantically about calling for relatives and
friends, and all the doctors in the city were
at once summoned. One alter another of
the wounded men we're taken out, until by
! A. NJ the following list of casualties were
Clauss, David, member OF the Rescue
Hook aud Ladder Company; sill in the
ruins.
Lehr, William ] son Of Henry E. Lehr,
brthnrms and leg brnken,a skull crush j
ed. He lived about two huurs.
Miller, Charles. a member Of the America
Hose, skull crushed and internally IN.
jurrd; died shortly after being taken
home
Uuknown man, who was standing on the
ladder with Clauss, also known to be
buried in the RUNS.
How many more are buried cannot be
known to night.
INJURED.
Besel, Peter, n member of the Rescue II ok
and Ladder Company; leg slightly hurt.
Bohlinger, Chafles, q member of the Liber
ty, face badly cut
Kurlz, Herry X, leg broken and face
burned
Kennert, Emanuel, a member Of the Amer
lea Hose; badly burned and cut about the
face; aso teeth knocked out.
Martin, Edward, German head badly cut.
Meyer, Peter, a member of the America
Inss; lett leg broken and internally in
iured.
Saeger, Frank q member Of the America
Hose; face badly cut.
1t is impossible TO describe the picture
that is presented rs people are Irantiea III
digging in the ruins to succar those that are
supposed to he beneath them. The explos
on was So sudden that no one was prepared
Tor the emergency and who may yet be
beneath the ruins no one knows.
II is row 9 O'Clock, and the citizens are
still working with energy approaching to
madness To clear away the debris and give
relief ~ the wounded There is feeling
,f intense sorrow throughout the commune
towns with offers OF assistance.
The factory is complete loss, say $50, 900,
Dut no one can yet tell the actual loss of
lie.
The engines are working with their tire
less whirr, while hundreds of people are
Standing about in brealhess suspense, 1t is
he greatest disaster that has beiallen this
,ity for years.
A subscription for the families of the
lead and injured has already been circulat
ID aud generously responded to.