New-York tribune., 1886-06-08
EIGHT PERSONS BURNED TO DEATH.
AN EARLY MORNING FIRE IN CHICAGO.

sTIFLED BY SMOKE IN THEIR BEDs-D LIEvED TO
BIZ THE WORK OF AN INcENDIARY.
CHICAGO, June 7. - Eight persons were
smoh cred burned 10 death ut o'clock this morn
Ing in the frame No. 73l and 1888 South Canal-s
Tho names OF the dead are Ms follows
DURKIN. MARY, q married woman: ago thirty.
DuRKIS JoIlN. age three; of Mrs. Mary DnrkiD.
HAND. WILLIAM. IA butcher; sixty.
LAvl>. PAIRick. II son OF Mrs. Du kin by former mar
MuMrnY. MICHAEL employed by the South Division
Railway Company
MURPHY. Mns MICHAEL age thirty-hve.
MURPHY. ANNIE. age rine.
MURPHY. NELLIE. axe eleven.
The fire broke out IN the cellar OF No. 733 South Cans
ST. The flames upward and quickly burned through
the first hoor whi, is level with the grauad ana
the next floor was also consumed The ire spresd
through the wooden walls OF the basement and 13l was
wrapped In flames which cnveloped tho adjoining
number Both houses filed with smoke before any OF
the occupants were aroused. Many Of the dead were
doubtless snothereI In their beds The fire following
rapidly after the smoke burned the bodies until thev
were unrccognizahle The lower floor OF No |33 was
occupied by John Raleigh jr His wife was awakened
by sense OF sufocaio She aroused her husband who
hastily donned few articles OF clothing He threw up
a window The flames scorched his face and singed his
hair and musachc lie caught his wife In his arms ana
threw her bodily through the flames out OF the window
Her night dress caught fire, but with great presence OF
mind she extn2usn'd the Dancs with her nahds ahs
lent assistance to her husband In saving the lives OF
their small children Mr. Raleigh kicked on the wall
10 arouse the people on the second floor Catcning ms
babies In his he upstairs and jumped with them
from the second story window. the only safe exit
The second floor of No. 733 occupied by the Dur
kin AMI Murphy families No member OF either OF THESE
families escaped. The nremen In searching the RUNS
of the houses came upon the most narrowing scenes
Some lying In feir haf burned beds, ana Others
who were awakened before death came np"n them,
clutching each other in groups on the 1oor Tue
upper floor occupied by William Hand. His father
lived with him. They were aroused by the smell OF
smoke. and the young caught up the children anu
jumped from the second story window with them aIter
assisting his wife to the lie wanted to help his
father down. but the old man insisted bis jumping
with the children. The aged and decrept form OF Old
Mr. Hand at the window moment and then
disappeared Just AS ne was abOut TO leap
The lower floor OF No. 731 was occupied by ono
Mcclure who kept grocery store. All his family were
saved 1t is believed that the fire was the work OF an
nce.dary. II first seen by watchman IN
brewery near by He started over to alarm the occu
pants When In the OF the burned houses be met
who SAID: "rhcre's fire; you better turn ~ an
alarm" The man then disappeared up the alley. his
is the third time the place has Deen set on fire.
The origin OF the fire first mystery until uD
containing clothes saturated with coal oil was dis.
in the baseDen The articles in the tub burned
from the top and strong smell or the oil could De de-
tected on raising the contents The scene OF the re Is
In tho midst Of that quarter occupied by the poorer
people working classes and to-day poorly clad men,
and children stood around the place discussing
the tragedy.