The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-06-20
APPALLING DISASTER.
Fatal Confagration in a Rock
dale (Texas) Hotel,
The Mundine House Destroyed and
Eleven Inmates Cremated.

The most appalling calamity that ever oc.
CURED in Texas took place at Rockdale, sixty
miles north Of Austin, at four O'Clock Mon
day morning. The Mundine Hotel, a three
story brick building, was discovered to be on
fire. and in less than five minutes from the
time it started the whole building was a rag
ing sea of fame. The widest
and most indescribaale terror seized
the people when it became known that at
least fifteen persons were within the doomed
hotel, but the cooler and more collected OF
the spectators at once went to work to save
the unfortunate victims, several Of whom
were seen at the upper floor windows beg
ging piteously for succor.
DR.. w. a. Brooks, the proprietor Of the
hotel, was pulled out OF the burning build
ing with his hair and head completely singed
and his body in several places badly bruised
and burned. For his escaps from death he
paid an awful penalty, having left his wife
and four children behind him, all Of whom
perished in the flames.
He had to be taken from the building by
force, as he was unwilling to be saved with
out his wife and children. He ID badly
burned and is almost crazy over the loss Of
his family. Brooks was in q room adjoining
that occupied by his wife and children, and
his wife's room was enveloped In flames
when he was awakened.
Mr. j. F. Briscoe, with his wife and two
children, were also burned to death, all
efforts to reach them being unavailing. Mr..
Isaac Cohen, of the firm Of L Baum & Co.,
likewise persisted. Mr.. Pemberton Pierce,
representing the firm Of George 81. Zigler, Of
Philadelphia, jumped in his night clothes
from the third story Of the burning building
and was killed by the fall.
The hotel register was lost, and 1t Is not
improbable that other lives were lost, though
this will never be known for certain. Mr..
D. M. Oldham, representing Galveston
firm, escaped uninjured by, Jumping: he
occupied room in the second story and was
He thought that storm had arisen, but later
he detected smoke in his room, and opening
the door, saw the hall full Of flames.
He at once closed the door. and escaped by
crawling out on the roof of q veranda and
sliding down post. Oldham had just
reached the ground when he saw Pemberton
Pierce rush on to the veranda enveloped In
the flames. Pierce leaped to the ground,
striking on his head. He broke his neck and
died instantly. - q 15s e
The mystery Is that 30 many should have
perished when none was higher up than the
second story, and there were galleries and
exits on both sides Of the building. No one
was heard to call or scream, all dying with.
out cry for help, though q great crowd
quickly gathered and exhausted every effort
to rescue the victims.
Unfortunately there is no fire organization
In town, or there might have been chance
Of saving some OF the people.
The charred remains of ten human bodies
have been recovered from the ruins, but
they were unrecognizable. Every business
place was closed in town out Of respect to the
dead. Mr.. Pierce was the only victim not g
resident Of Rockdale. The Mundine Hotel
was valued at $4,000, and was insured for
$500. -