The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1886-06-16
BURNED TO DEATH.
Eight Persons Burned to Death in Tene-
meut ut Chicago.

neut ut Chicago.
CHICAGO, June Sight persons were
smothered and burned to death In the frame
houses at 7S1 and 7S3 South Canal street
yesterday morning. The names of the dead
are: Michael Murphy, aged forty years, EN-.
ployed by the South Division Railway Com.
pany; Mrs. Michael Murphy, aged about
thirty.f Annie Murphy, nine years
old; Nellie Murphy eleven years
old; Mrs. Mary DurkIns aged twen.
ty years; Patrick LAWN, aged four
years, . son of Mrs. Mary Durkns by
former marriage; John Durkins, three years
old; William Hand. aged sixty-eight years,
butcher. The fire broke out in tl,e cellar
of No. 733 Canal street. The flames shot
upward and quickly burned through the
first floor which is on level with
the street. Shooting upwards, the
next floor was soon consumed. The fire
spread through tie wooden wallis OF the
basement, and No. T33 was soon wrapped In
flames, which eaueloped the adjoining build
ing. Both houses were filled with smoke
before any Of TIE occupants were aroused.
Many Of the sleopers were doubtless suffO-
Gated. 1t will probably never be known
who awoke and tried in vain to escape
from the Siding smoke and scorching
flames. The flames following rapidly
after the ssnsaEe, burned the dbUdies until
they were GnrecOgnizable masses Of
black and charred bones ard flesh. The
lower floor of No. 7S3 was occupied by John
Raleigh. Jr. gIis wife was awakened by a
sense OF suflgcatm. She aressed her hus-
band, who hastily dressed and threw up .
window. The raging flames scOrched his
face. singing his hair and nsustache He
took his wife In his arms and with e
terrible effort. threw her through the flames
out of the window. Her night dress cauglt
fire With great presence Of mind she eK.
tingulshed the flames with her hands and lent
assistance to ller husband N saving the lives
of their two small children. The fire had
gained additional headway. Raleigh was
unable to .putthe children out Of the same
window. He kicked on the wall to arouse
the peOplo.On the second floor. Catching
the babies in his arms, he ran up stairs and
jumped, with them, from q secOnd-s story
window.
The,second floor of No. 1888 was occupied
by the Durkin and Murphy families. Ne
member of either Of these families escaped.
The firemen, in searching the. Iuins of the
house, came upon the most narrowing
scenes. Somewhere lying In the half-burned
beds. Others, who were awakened be-
fore death ,came upon them, were
clutching eaah other on the floor.
They were all evidently ,ovef-
come by the smoke before any effort
could be made to. escape. The upper floor
father lived with him. They were aroused
by the smell Of che smoke. The young man
caught up the children and jumped from the
secOnd-stOry window with them. after assist
ing his wife to the street. He wanted to help
his father down. but the old man insisted
on his jumping With the children. The aged
and ,decrept form .0f the old gentleman was
seen at the window moment, and then dis
appeared just as he was about to leap. The
raging fire prevented any effort to rescue
him being made.
The lower floor aif 40. 731 was occupied
by man named Mcclure, who kept a
eyocery store. All his family ware saved.
The buildings were owned by John Raleigh,
valued at $1,000. The loss was ahAut $500
ON each.
AL of the furniture in the building was
destroyed. The fire was the work OF % de-
termined and persistent incendiary. Upon
retir kag John Raleigh, Jr., locked the
door. 1t was found bnolZen open when the
fire vas discovered. The fire was first seen
by q watchman in brewery near by. He
started over to alarm tiAe occupants. When
In tie rear of tile burned ls0nses
he met . man, who said '"ThenSs
a fire You had better tnrn In an alara,.r
The man disappeared up the alley. The
wxtchmaa could not deatify him II he
should see him again. This 10 the thind
time the place has been sat on fire. No
serious damage resulted frOm the former
q nj