The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-26
A Graphic Account Of tho Escape Of
Jutxa Allan


to its first vantage ground OF observation,
the form OF u man suddenly appeared at
the center front window OF the second
floor. A gust OF wind at that moment
rolled back the volume of smoke through
which fiery tongues were licking from base
to summit of the Court and in the iitiul
glare the agonized features OF n human
being stared piteous but silent appeal for
succor.
The awe of the dreadful discovery
stilled the swelling crowd 20 silence, and
then the cry ran from lin TO lip, "a mans
in the building" Then the murky pail
once more envelopcd the unknown form
and lcaping far above him, around and
under him.
THE GLARiNG sEAL or DEATH
II seemed was being surely written. I'M
PEELED as by one impulse the throng
moved forward toward the building in the
vain purpose TO save human life. But
its seething embrace showed even the
brayost heart that relief there was hope
less, and again the sea OF upturncd faces
restlcssly fell back.
Seconds seemed hours, and the hasten
ing horses and clattcrng engines, Il
seemed. would never come, though they
were coming fast as horses could 70 and
steadily as men could drive.
"a LADDER LADDER" was now the
shout rs again the kindly wind brushed
back the dense covering over the spot
where for one brief glance the unknown
face had showed and revealed the figure OF
u man clinging TO the stone sill Of the
window, flames 0ircling above his head.
No sound had como from him, hut the
head had fallen 10 one shoulder and hands
resting in the fierce glow Of the flames, gn
almost fiery bath, told OF desperate strug-
gle for life and strength fast going.
THE SCENE AwED rIIE CROWD
again 10 silence, save for the shouts which
came from burdcned booms for th q speed.
ing engines, and the dread question now
quickly ran from man 10 man, could the
Hook and Ladder Company reach the
spot before the swinging form released It's
hold, and death ON the hot tagging fol-
loved2 A glad cry now rises,
and the Broad street truck speeds
down the hill. ladder, lnd.
der, quick" was shouted to the
driver aud lending every muscle to the
quick pull ON the rcins, with brakes hard
down, the long wagon came 10 halt in
front Of tho battle for life. A moment and
stout arms had swung ladder free, u
thousand hands pointed to the spot. now
dark again with smoke, where still hung
the man, and the rcscuers were swinging
the ladder against tho wall. An
agile form springs upon II, while
stout hands held Il firm; glad
shout rolls upward from the crowd
pushing forward despite the approach Of
the engine fast coming down tho hill; no
battered form had fallen to the pavement
and could tho burt hands hold yot a
moment longer, life might be snaichod
from llie fiery jaws above. Therc was no
sound now, Tho end was only matter OF
seconds.
II icamc. and tho shouts Of the crowd
would have told tho blind It had been TO
suit them.
Beneath the curling volume OF smoke,
into which the lnddcr had stretched its
hidden, rcscuing hands, two forms ap.
pearcd. One was that oi the gallant iiro.
man, and step by step
HE GUIDED ms nrnnFy
toward the ground. A hundred hands
were ready now 10 aid, and the last round
passed, the exhausted victor In the battle
with flames fcll into the arms Of
friends. The flesh was pceling from
the raw and bleeding face, beard
was burnt from chin and lin, holes
in his clothing showed whore the
heat had scorrhcd ils way 10 flesh aud his
head was almost bare Of hair. but not all
this pitiiul marring could hide the we'll.
known features Uf ox-Judgc Matt W. Al.
len, from the friends who had gathered to
his side. DIR. Duncan Eyo was among the
ilrst 10 grasp him ~ hc lclt the ladder and
calling willing arms 10 his assistance the
unfortunate lawyer was born 90 Demo.
villc'H drug Hi0c, at the corner
Dt. J. w. Maddin, Jr., had witnessed
the closing scene of the escape from
death, aud accompanying Dr. Eve ns.
sisted nj the services which were promptly
rendered. The crowd pressed close about
the d0on Of the store to gain intelligence
oi the sufferer whose name had rapidly
spread, but entrance was denied b. ali save
aud tho surgeons proceeded
with their duties.
iuDoE AtLES's iNunirs
worc found to bc very serious, nnl he was
put under the partial influence OF NOR.
phinc while his wounds Wcro being
dressed. Much oi the flesh had
been burned from the lacc and head,
and all from the right hand Tho back
was badly burned, ~ was tho right lcg.
The hair on head aud face was burned
crisp, aud oyclashcs gone and two gishcs
wore In the flca lie was IN terrible pain
aud iull conversation was out " the qucs.
ton, but hc managed 10 make n brief
statement 10 the reporter ll' said ho
wns IN hls law office ON the sixth or top
ilo1f u the building aud hard at work,
when boz suddenly smcli smoke. Going
io hIs door ho found lhc hall drusoly
nllcd. lie dashed tDwdrd tho stair.
way and passed 90 thr .uuHh floor
without cncpuntoung Gro, but found II
ihcv almost cntclOp.ny the stairway
Flames were shooting up the elevator
lie heard tmrfling shouts on the outside
anil then the ilsigfuWing crowd.
llc Rpuug oyyt thr burning stairway
and gained tho tAifd floor. bot there bis
way HcmOl barred by the heavier volume
NJ iimrs un The next stairway llr Hprlng
forward, aud. blinded with Dr. and smoke,
gained lho second llo9r struggled g. the
window, and stood ihprc tlll the flames
forced him 10 trust 10 clinginr Ia the stone
Ill., llis burns hid already been rc-
rcycd, and
Tifr NERVE ir TOOK
Ia bold 10 that llit surface with all the
Ilrsh of ono hand N 'Umafkihlc. About
Judge Allen was removed from
Ihe 'upompu bed in thc drug store io
is home boo Edwhtll An im.r'cuu a..
porter called there iusi before his removal
ind saw pr. Malliu. Dr Eve having
gone. The patient wa hlli Unconscious,
hu sulcrng Intensely pr NHliin s'i
iht it hft not then lnu discovered
whether Jilso Alien hi minded 'irc or
np', hui lt wlH knoan that his Injuries
must bo serious.