Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1886-06-12
HOLOCAUST.
Persisted IN THE FLAMES.
eight Persons Smothered and
Burned to Death In an Incen-
diary Fire.

L gnt persons were sm)thered and burned
% death in the frame houses ut 73l and 1888
south Canal street Chicago. The names Of
me dead are: Michael Murphy, aged forty
years employed by the South Division Rail-
way company; Mrs. Michael Murphy, aged
about thirty-five years; Annie Murphy. nine
ears old; Nellie Murphy, eleven years old
Mrs Mary Durkin. aged thirty years,
Patsy LAWN, aged four years, q
.on of Mrs. Mary Durkin by a
former marriage. John Durkin, three
weeks old; VIM. Hand, aged IS years, a
butcher. The fire broke out in the cellar of
'S3 Canal street. The fl ,mes shot upward
and quickly burned their way through the
drst foor, which is on level with the ground
Shooting upward the next floor was soon
ablaze. The fire spread through the wooden
walls OF the basement and 73l was soon
ablaze, which enveloped the adj Dining num-
Der. Both houses were filled with smoke
before any OF the occupants were aroused
Many Of the sleepers were doubtless smo,h-
cred in their beds. The fl ames following rap
idly after the smoke burned the insensibte
bodies till they were unacceptable masses Of
black and charrel bones aud flesh. The
lower floor of 1888 was occupied by John Raj
eigh, Jr. His wife was awakened by q
sense of suffocation. She aroused her hus-
band who hastily donned few articles of
clothing. He threw up window. The
raging flames scorched his face, singing his
hair and moustache. Not hesitating a mo-
ment he caught his wife in his arms, and,
with a terrible effort, threw her bodily
through the fl ,mes out of the window. Her
night dress caught fire. With great pres
ence OF mind she extinguished the flames
with her hands, and lent assistance to her
husband in saving the lives of their small
children. The fire had gained additional
leadway. He was unable to put the chill
dren out OF the same window. He then
Licked on the wall to arouse the people on
the second floor. Catching the bibles in his
arms he ran up stairs and jumped with them
from second story window. The
s!coLd flor of 1888 was occupied
10y the Durkin and Murphy fam
lilies. No member of either of these fam
lilies escaped. The firemen, in searching the
ruins Ct the house, came upon the most Far
rowing scenes. Some were lying in the half
burned beds. Others who were awakened
batore death came upon them were c.utching
each other in groups on the floor. They were
all evidently overcome by the smoke before
any IT ort could be- made to escape. The up
ger floor was occupied by William Hand, Jr.
His father lived with him They were
aroused by the small Ct the smoke. The
young m In caush hit up the children ami Jump,
ed from the second story window with them,
after assisting his wife to the street. He
wan ed to helI his father down, but the cd
man Insisted in jumping with the children
The aged and dccrepi5 form OF the cid man
was seen at the window moment and then
disappeared just as he was about to leap.
The raging fire prevented the making or an
fort for his rescu'. The lower fl Dor Of ISL
was occupied by man named Mcclure VIII.
kept grocery store. All his family were
saved.
The fire was the work Of q determined
and persistent incendiary. Upon retiring
John Raleigh, jr., locked the door. l. was
found broken open when the fire was dlscov-
cred. The fire was first seen by watchman
in a brewery nearby. He started over to
alarm the occupants. When in the roar of
the burned houses he met man who sa d:
There's fire; y,u had better turn in an
alarm" The man disappear up an alley.
The Waterman could not identify him if he
should see him again. This is the third
time the Place has been set afi-e.