The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-09-02

Mr. Bun F. Price received a letter from
his wife on Friday last, in which was
graphically described the burning of Bon
Aqua hotel, with interesting incidents.
Through the kindness of Mr.. Price, TuE
APPEAL is permitted TO publish the follow
ing admirably drawn pen-picture OF the
disaster:
On the evening of the 23d instant the
guests at Bon Aqua gave masquerade
ball for their own enjoyment The night
was all that could he desired, the air was
brisk and cool, the holcl was illuminated
and the music was at its best Promptly
at o'clock,the masqueraders filed into the
large ball room and took their places on
the floor awaiting the grand march. They
numbered, old and young, big and little,
largely over 100, and each seemed to vie
with the othcrin making the entertainment
n grand success. Little occurred during
the progress OF the ball worth recording
save the frantic efforts of the Young men
TO recognize their swCcthcarts, and chill
dren TO identity their mothers.
At - o'clock the masks were removed,
and by 2O'clck the entire company were
WRAPPED IN SLUMnER
and u death-like stiffness pervaded the
place. Little did those people, who, but
an hour before were 50 happy, dream OF
OF the agonizing scenes that awaited them.
About o'clock the cry OF "Firc!' "Fire!"
rang out upon the still night air, accom-
panied by the Clapping OF hands and
piercing shrieks OF Il women. 1t was Miss
Florence Yates who gave the alarm. She
was rooming on the third iloorof the hotel
and was awakened by the dense smoke
in her room. She comprchcndcd the stu-
alton in a moment and ran from door 20
door TO arouse the guests. Ere this task
was completed
THE ROOF HAD BURNED
or and great pieces OF burning timbcrs
were falling around her. BY this time the
excitement was intense Women rushed
irantically into the halls pulling their
children with them; down the steps and
out into the chilly air they went, clad
only in their night clothes. pcpositing
their children in q place of supposed safety,
they flew back to save, II possible, some OF
their wearing apparel. Finding them
selves frustrated in this by the intense
heat tl'ey ran madly back 10 their children
but 10 find them, IN number OF instances,
gonc-thcy having been removed 10y Others
TO n more remote place Of safety. Then
they would minglc their screams with
others, and thus the paudcmonium went
on until the rising of the sun.
During all this time the occupants OF the
cottages were removing their children aud
warlrobcsto PARADISE Row once there
they would leave them in charge OF their
nurses and rush back to assist Others.
TuE DIFFERENT FLOORS.
On the third floor Of the hotel was Ms.
Wynn Connur her two daughters, and the
Misses Yates, Ms. J. Brooks, her two
sons and little daughter, MH. Halle and
Mr.. Washington, also Mrs. Sol lowis, her
nurse aud baby and lady friend. When
they left their rooms their beds were on
fire. Mrs. Emanuel and her two little
boys, together with Miss Lcttic Doughcr-
IT,. completed the list on this floor The
last named was the telegraph operator.
| In nearly every instance the above named
lost everything they had.
On the second floor was Alrs. :. T.
| Hunt and family, Mns. j. j. Williams and
her two children, Mrs. Dick Miller and
her little son and mother, who was an IN
valid. The only room ON the south side
Was occupied by old Mn. Caldwell aud
| her companion. Miss Lizzie Morrison.
This old lady is totally blind, aud IN the
efforts OF her companion 10 save her fell
several times. Miss Lizzie never forgot
her charge however, and succeeded In
| dragging q 10 the steps, whcrc, assisted
| by two colorcd women, carried her from
| the building 90 place of safety. Leaving
| her she returned for the purpose OF get
| ting something for her and gran lma Ia
nut on" a. use her own language, hut
when she went back found the old lady
quite distance from where she left her,
CRYING ~ II her heart would break, and
ealing for Lizzie" The old lady had
cnwlcd to where she was found and i'm.
agincd Lizzie was burned up.
ACTS on uEHoisN.
fear am making this too long, but !
cannot close without telling YOU Of the
heroine Of the occasion. Mn Wynnc Can
non, Who WIS on the third floor, had gath
cred her aluablcs together and put them
In n Fellowship, and then driving hcr
children before her, Ia mother goose, de-
scendcd the stairs. In the ball on the
second floor she recognized the PROSTATE
form ui Mn, 7. J. Williams. tlaspcd
tightly 10 her breast she held her babe OF
only two mouths. while her other boy ii
two and hall ycars stood by, Casibiunca
like, awaiting the summons Of his mother
who had tainted, and for the moment was
dead. A. quick ~ thought she graspcd
the situation. To save her Nulun'
hlcs was 10 lose their lives. Immediately
she dropped the pillow slip which con
tained her icwclry. money aud other valu'
ablcs, and seized the pruslnic and form
Of her friend. With one hand she carried
the baby on her breast, and with he other
dragged the liiclcss body 10 the STEPS
Driving the children before her with hci
own she threw her arm across the breast
OF Mn. W, and holding her head and
shoulders under her strong right arm be-
began the descent II the long stairs. Tx
element made her powerful In strength
and single handed aud alone she saved
three livcs-but
LOST HER yALuAnLEs.
All honor 20 Mn Cannon, and all Of NJ
vote her the heroine VI the occasion.
could write much more but my bear
sickens NJ the thought Of those women an,
children, most Of them were barcfoOicd
aud with their feet cut by the rock
and bleeding, clad only In their nigh
clothes, made night hidcous with thci
SCREAMS and cries The scenes Of tia
memorable night have been ~ photo
gaphcd on my memory tbat II ] were I
live a hundred years, aud memory hold
her sway. I will never forget n. and ] pm
God that may never DO an eye witness
the like again.
IIovT testimonials arc most reliable. an
: II YOU will send your name and address "