The Rugby gazette and east Tennessee news. (Rugby, Morgan Co., Tenn.) 1884-188?, 1886-06-19
BURNED TO DEATH.
Eight Persons Burned to Death In Tene.
ment at Chicago.

Eight Persons Burned to Death In Tene.
ment at Chicago.
CHICAGO, June Slight persons were
smothered and burned to death in the frame
houses at 731 and 1888 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.fve; Annie Murphy, nine years
old; Nellie Murphy, eleven years
DID, Mrs. Mary Durkns aged TWEEN.
ty years; Patrick LAWN, aged four
years, son of Mrs. Mary Durkins by
former marriage; John Durkins, three years
old; William Hand, aged sixty-eight years,
butcher. The fire broke out in the cellar
of No. 1888 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 the wooden walls of the
basement and No. 1888 was soon wrapped in
flames, which enveloped the adjoining build
ing. Both houses were filled with smoke
before any of the occupants were aroused.
Many of the sleepers were doubtless suffO-
Gated. 1t will probably never be known
who awoke and tried in vain to escape
from the sitting smoke and scorchng
flames. The flames following rapidly
after the smoke, burned the bodies until
they were unacceptable masses of
black and charred bones and flesh. The
lower floor of No. 1888 was occupied by John
Raleigh, Jr. His wife was awakened by
sense of suffocation. She aroused her hus-
band, who hastily dressed and threw up
window. The raging flames scOrched his
face, singing his hair and mOustache. He
took his wife in his arms and with
terrible effort threw her through the flames
out of the window. Her night dress caught
fire. With great presence of mind she ex-
tingushed the flames with her hands and lent
assistance to her husband in saving the lives
of their two small children. The fire had
gained additional Roadway. Raleigh was
unable to put the children out of the same
window. He kicked on the wall to arouse
the people on the second floor. Catching
the babies in his arms, he ran up stairs and
jumped, with them, from second-story
window
The second floor of No. 1888 was occupied
by the Durkin and Murphy families. No
The firemen, in searching the ruins of the
house, came upon the most narrowing
scenes. Some were lying in the half-burned
BEDS Others, who were awakened be-
fore death came upon them, were
clutching each other on the floor.
They were all evidently over
come by the smoke before any effort
could be made to escape. The upper floor
was occupied bv William Hand, Jr. His
father lived with him. They were aroused
by the smell of the 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 decrepit form of the old gentleman was
seen at the window amOment, 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 of No. 731 was occupied
by man named Mcclure, who kept a
grocery store. All his family were saved. |
The buildings were owned by John Raleigh, |
ST., and Dever, blacksmith. They were |
valued at $1,000. The loss was about $500 |
on each.
All of the furniture in the building was
destroyed. The fire was the work of de-
termined and persistent incendary. Upon
retiring, John Raleigh, Jr., locked the |
door. 1t was found broken open when the
fire was discovered. The fire was first seen
by a Waterman in brewery near by He
started over to alarm the occupants. When
in the rear of the burned houses
he met man, who said /: There's
a fire. You had better turn in an alarm"
The man disappeared up the alley. This
Waterman could not identify him If he
should see him again. This is the third
time the place has been set Oh fire. No
serious damage resulted from the former
attempts
Enormous crowds remained outside the
parliament buildings until the end and when
the vote was announced, the majority re-
ceived the result with enthusiasm.
Frightful Leap of Train.