Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-10-12
THE CROCKER FIRE,
Removing the Debris-Healey's Remains
Found-More Donations.
g. F. Call, October 18th.
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Among the smoldering ruins which now
represent all that is left of the once extern
slye establishment of H. s. Croker & Co.
men were busily working all day yesterday,
while dense crowd of people lined the
sidewalk and thronged the street looking
at the workers and at the charred walls
and woodwork
The excitement increased when it was
announced that the search for the lost fire
men was TO be undertaken. Several present
volunteered their assistance, which, how
ever was declined, it being deemed ex-
pedlent to limit the search party, owing to
the dangerous condition of the walls An
effort was directed to the southeast corner
OF the building. near to where now stands
the Coriiss engine. 1t was at this point
where the two unfortunate men had been
last seen by District Engineer Sands, and it
was confidently expected that if any re-
mains were 10 be discovered it would be in
this locality. The debris was carefully
cleared away, the sand and earth was raked
aside, and then ii became necessary to dig
| for the bodies. The debris rose higher
above the heads of the excavating work
men, and not until depth of five feet was
reached did anything resembling that
which was human greet the men. Suddenly
as one stopped down to dig he espied what
| seemed to him a boot and eagerly bending
down he grabbed it. 1t was the foot of the
boot worn by Healey. The leg had been
| burned down to the ankle, and all that re-
NAMED was the charred stump of the
ankle bone. The boot was preserved in
tact, and it is supposed that when poor
! Healey fell his right foot must have been
so placed that it escaped the action of the
| fire. Further search showed a portion of
the elbow.
There was, at first, some discussion as to
which of the TWO unfortunate firemen the
boot belonged. Then one remembered that
| 1t was Healey alone who wore rubber boots.
and it was also remembered that Hannah
! had once said he was too poor to afford to
buy pair, but that he would probably pur-
chase pair next week. The discovery was
at once communicated to the Coroner, who
arrived on the scene at 2:30, and subpGnaed
all present to attend his inquest to-mor-
row. Later in the afternoon a wagon be-
longing to the United Order of Undertakes
arrived on the scene of the fire; and the
ashes and the boot-all that remained of
the brave Healey-were placedin a wooden
box and driven to the undertaking rooms
on Fifth street. As soon as they arrived
there they were visited by numbers of Curl
GUS people.
At $50 the rire-proof safes were found.
They are lying in front of the main en-
trance, and are declared by those who had
seen them to have well withstood the fire,
and rs soon as the books are recovered tit.y
will be examined by committee of the
Underwriters. \ committee of Under
writer's has also been appointed to deter
mine the losses Of Hecht Brothers.
When the few charred remains of Healey
were discovered his brother was overcome
by emotion and was led away. The COM
rades of the dead men were also yisiblv af-
tected. While the searchers were in the
midst OF their grim task, the inevitable
photographer mounted his camera upOn
the top OF the ruins and took a number of
views The tiremen let 4 hose slip, treat
ing both the artist and the spectators to a
bath. The scene as viewed from the roof
OF the adjoining building was one of com
plete ruin. Broken iron columns, twisted
Shatung, warped machinery, charred tim
bers and debris of all kinds filled the base
ment and stood in huge piles half way up
the first story. Stays and braces were placed
wherever practicable.
The Chief of the Fire Department has
sent the appended letter in answer to the
donation from Charles Croker:
HEADQUARTERS OF CHIEF ENGINEER.
5. f. F. D., October 9, 1885.
Co9nd C. F. Crocker-DEAR SIR: Allow me on
oehali OF the widow and child of one and those
who were dependent on the other of the brave
men who lost their lives on last Thursday, dur
ing the fire i'll the Croker building and on be- I
half OF those members of the Fire Department
who at the same time and place met with acct
dents, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter
containing a check for s., 200 and to return to
Charles Croker, the donor the heartiest thanks
OF the bereaved and the distressed as well as
those of the Board of Fire Commissioners and
myself for the very generous and timely assist
ance. The money will be distributed in accord
ance with the needs Of those for whose benefit
it is intended. Respectfully yours,
DAVID SCAENELL,
Chief Engineer S. F. F. D.
The following dispatch has also been sent
by the Fire Commissioners:
To Charles Croker Esq. Nelo Iork Cfty: At a
meeting OF the Board OF Fire Commissioners
held this day, il was resolved to tender the sin
cere and heartfelt thanks of the members of
this Board TO you for your kind consideration
for those who by accident in the Croker build
ing were deprived OF protectors and those who
at the same time were injured. The timely aid
unsolicited as 1t was, Is the more appreciated.
The BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS
FRANK G. EDWARDS, President
The generous example set by Charles
Crocker has caused the following contribu-
tons to be made for the relief of the fam
Lies of the lost firemen: S. H. Seymour. of
the Russ House, $25; Seighfield d Bran
denstein, $25; cash, $25. A letter has been
received from a person who signs himself
NJ. X. & N. f. containing check for $50.
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