The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-02-19
GAVE NO WARNING
Many Lives Lost by an Explosion in
the Park Center Hotel, Of
Hartford, Conn.
The Building Collapses and the Untor
tunates are Crushed and
Burned to Death.
Belief That the List OF victims WIN Rsaol
At Least Fifty--rhs work OF the
Rsscuers.

daylight this morning this city was startled
| by the sound of monster explosion, and
Immediately persons In that section near
the capital were further startled by the
sound OF crashing walls and falling timber,
mingled with the screams OF women and
the shouts OF men. coming from the yicin-
ity OF High and Alley street, which had
been the site OF the Park Central Hotel.
Those who hurried TO the spot found n
huge pile OF stone and brick and splintered
timbers from which white clouds Of steam
arose, streaked and blackened by
wreaths of smoke that rapidly grew more
dense. Then tongues of hame leaped out
here and there, gradually growing stronger.
until the ruin was rearing heap,
Cries and moans came from the
pile, which made the by-standers sick
was soon on the scene and many streams
OF water were directed upon the flames. As
daylight came on the helpers at the ruins
could see behind II the annex 10 the building,
In which were the house servants OF the
hotel, and which was spared. A portion OF
the tiers OF rooms at the rear OF the main
building had remained standing, but the
partitions were torn away and the rooms
opened 10 the air. The floors OF many OF
them had partly given way and tumbed
/ the occupants and furniture upon the con
fused ruin below. The frightened EN-
ployes were safely taken from the annex
by ladders. Finally the flames were
from sight within the ruins, where
the water yet hissed and steamed
among the hot stone and brick.
As soon as the ruins sufficiently cooled
hundreds OF willing hands set about the
herculean task OF removing the immense
masonry and the enormous throng which
had BY this time gathered waited and
watched with breathless suspense. The first
person rescued was Geo. Gains, colored
porter, who died soon after being taken
out. Helen Leport, Jennie Decker and
Jacob B. T0rpin were taken out and found
TO be only slightly injured. Rachael Gran
ner jumped from window breaking her
leg. AT Q o'clock Ilorris Stiflle, q
traveller from Philadelphia, was rescued
S Ssa wiiS SsRs''n but siisss msss Gl injuliss h%
Near him was found the dead body OF
Dwight II. Buell., who had evidently been
suffocated. BY this time the crowd Of
spectors had increased 10 such proportions
as TO greatly impede the work OF the res.
cuers. Accordingly the militia was ordered
out to aid the police and rendered excel
lent service during the day and night,
keeping the crowd back In bounds. BY
noon kilograms OF anxious inquiry were
pouring In from every part OF the country
and the friends OF those supposed 10 be In
the ruins were arriving ON every train, 10.
gether with an immense crowd Of curious
peopie from snrroundlng towns. The lower
iloor of a large wool warehouse WAS made
temporary morgue. The bodies were
taken there as fast as recovered. Those
not identified were taken In charge by the
city. The injured were promptly sent to
| hOspitAl The recovery OF the bodies WAS
slow, owing 10 the Immense accumulation
of debris, but at nearly regular Intervals
one or two bodies were found during the
afternoon. They were recovered In the
order of the list given. This catastrophe
was devoid OF the narrowing details, hair
breadth escapes and thrilling rescues at
tending an uncontrolled contiagt alton.
One eterriblecrash. smoke. flames. quick rush
ing OF streams Of water, and all was over.
For this reason the disaster is simply over
wbelming. The magnitude of the cnlam.
ity cannot be reallzed-in fact, lis extent N
not yet known. The register OF the hotel
has not yet been found, and Mr.. Perry, the
| night clerk. Ia buried In the ruins: but from
the best estimates that can be- obtained
from the landlord and others it Ia probable
there were not far from fifty people In the
hotel proper. OF these perhaps five NAV
have escaped uplpiured amid the confusloI,
OF the early morning hours, which would
leave forty.fiye unaccounted for. Ten ara
Il IN the pltNl ana 10 midnight sixteen
dead bodies had been taken from the ruins,
leaving nineteen still missing, but there
may be more than this,
| The cause of the d dlsastsr was updoubtedly
the EXPLOSION OF The boiler In the basement.
No engineer was on duty at the time, the
custom being for the night engineer 10
bank his fire and 90 10 bed. lie does not
sleep in the hotel. This engineer. Alley.
ander Tbuer. was arrested tbis Afternoon
ON an Indictment for mansIaughter N
has been conjectured that Gains, the
colored porter may have started the pumps,
throwing cold water into the overheated
boiler and thus causing the explosion. but
this Is only conjecture, and Gains Is dead.
The force Of the explosion was terrific. All
the people In that part OF The city were
awakened by the shock. Huge stones
were scattered aud iron pipes bent and
twisted. windows In adjoining buildings
and across the street demolished and panes
OF glass smashed two blocks away. IL Ii
believed tonight that Mrs Weeson. Of
| Springfield, was In the hotel with her five
children and servant. She has not been
seen. II this proves true, the aggregate
loss Of life would be raised by the addition
OF these seven victims.
The experiences OF the survivors were
remarkable and the escapes miraculous.
Walter M. Gay occupied room adjoining
| Land lord Ketchum. When he nWoke he
found the bed sinking with him. When i,
became stationary he found himself pinned
down by the ceiling and tImbers In such a
manner that he was unable 10 move. liz
soon heard the voices OF Mr.. and Mrs
Ketchum and conversed with them con
cerning the chances OF escape. Before
they were rescued The water poured int
the ruins by the tiremen had nearly covered
his face.
A complete list OF the bodies taken out
| DWIGHT II. BUELL..
GEORGE GAINS. COlOred porter.