Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-06-10
rrear PERSONS saorHBnED.
A Fatal Fare Am OhicaRo Monday
Morning.

CHICAGO, June Eight persons wer
smothered and burned TO death IN til
frame houses at 73l and 1888 South Oana
street at O'Clock this morning. TIL,
names of the dead are us follows Michae
Murphy, aged 40, employed by the Soutl
Division Railway Company; Mrs. Michae
Murphy, aged 35 years Annie Murphy
nine years old; Nellie Murphy, IL year,
old Mrs. Mary Durkin, aged 80; Patsy
LAWN, aged 4, son of Mrs. Mary Durkil
by former marriage John Durkin, three
weeks old; William Hand, aged IS years,
| butcher.
The fire broke out in the cellar of No.
1888 Canal street. The flames shot up
ward and quickly burned through the
first floor, which is on level with the
ground. Shooting upward, 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
| number. Both houses were filled with
smoke before any of the occupants we're
aroused. Many of the sleepers were
doubtless smothered in their beds. 1t
will probably never be known VINO awoke
and tried in vain 10 escape from the
sitting smoke and scorching flames. The
flames followed rapidly after the smoke
and burned the bodies until they were
unacceptable masses of black and
charred bones and flesh.
The lower floor of No. 1888 was occu-
pied by John Raleigh, Jr. His wife was
awakened by sense of sulfocation. She
aroused her husband who hastily donued
few articles of clothing. He threw up
window. The raging flames scorched
his face, singing his hair and moustache.
He caught his wife in his arms and, with
terrible effort, throw her bodily
through the flames out of the window.
Her night dress caught on fire. With
great presence of mind she oxtingnished
the flames with her hunds and lent assist
ance to her husband in saving the lives
of their two small children. The fire had
gained additional headway. He was I'M
able TO put the children out of the same
window. Ha then 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 occu.
pied by the Durkin aud Murphy families
No member of either of these families /
escaped. The firemen i'll searching the |
ruins OF the houses came upon the most /
narrowing scenes. Some were lying in |
the half burned beds. Others who were |
awakened before death came upon them /
were clutching one another in groups on
the floor. ALL the victims had evidently |
been overcome by the smoke before any
effort could be made to escape.
The upper floor was occupied by VIM. Il
Hand. 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 win
dow with them after assisting 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 moment and
then disappeared Just as he was about to
leap. The raging fire prevented the max
ing of an effort for his rescue.
The lower floor of No. 731 was oecu-
pied by man named Mcclure, who kept |
a grocery. All his family were saved. It
is believed that the fire was the work of
an incendiary. 1t was first seen by
Waterman in brewery near by. He
started over to alarm the occupants.
Whenin the rear of the burning houses he
met II man who said; "Iheres fire
you better turn in an alarm" The man
up the alley. The Waterman
could not identify him if he should see
him again. This is the third time the
place has been set on fire.