The Portland daily press., 1889-12-02
THERE MAY Be TWENTY WHO DIED
In the Flames which Destroyed an
Unsafe MINNEAPOLIS Building.
The Leading Papers Of the City oc-
cupIed the Structure.
Frantic Endeayors OF the Imprisoned
Men to Escape.

MINNEAPoLIs, Mimi, December L.
Blaekened and crumbling walls and mass
Of smoking debris s:e all that remain today
of the building burned last night in which
the Minneapolis Tribune and several other
newspapers were printed. The building
was notorlously unsafe, but there had been
several false alarms Of late and as some OF
the men started down the stairs, they joked
about the probability of this being one. This
careless feeling Of security caused the loss of
at least dozen lives. For some time the
Union League Club room, where the fire
started, has not been used, and the fires ORR
gin is mystery. This room was close to
the elevator shaft, and In the attempts to
put out the flames the window was broken
open, bringing in draft of fresh air. The
flames then shot across the hall and up the
elevator shaft. In moment they cut off the
escape OF those who had delayed. few
broke through the sitting smoke and scorch-
ing flame. but others sought escape else
where.
Being at the south end OF the building.
while tue only fire escape was at the north.
the printers found their way to the stairs, as
well as down them, cut off. A number
climbed out OF the windows and elung to
window ledges waiting for help, which In
several cases came too late. Their piteous
cries for help directed the fremen to them
and number were saved. Others fell OFF
their narrow resting place or dropped from
telegraph and telephone wires to deaths on
the frozen ground below. Many watched
Operator Igoes's brave attempt TO escape.
He had got clear Of the building and was
gradually working his way along the wires
to safety, but the wires cut his hands and
his strength failed. A groan
went up from the unturned faces
far below him, when he was seen to slip
from the slight support and fall to the roof
of the boiler house, where he received fatal
injuries. AS far as known the death list Is
as follows:
EDWARD OLSON, president Of the Unlyer-
sity Of South Dakota at VermilliOn.
MILTON PICKETT, assistant city editor OF
W. II. MILMAN, commercial editor Of the
Tribune.
WALTER MILES, night agent Of the Asso-
ciated Press.
JAMES lGoE. night operator Of the AssO-
ROBERT MeCUTcHEoN.
Wn. COLwELL.
GEORGE STEVENS.
WIN. TURNBULL.
HARRY WHIrLoCK.
JERRY JENKINsoN, all composltors.
One unknown.
Other bodies are known to be in the build
ings, but just how many Is uncertain. Two
men who could not be identified shot them
selves rather thaa be burned to death and
today the body OF a man caught In the ruins,
Is In plain sight Of the crowd on Fourth
street. 1t Is believed the number OF victims
will reach 20, and perhaps 25, but until the
debris eools OIL. positive information as to
the loss can not be obtained. The depart
ment withdrew from the ruins tonight and
search for bodies will be begin Just as soon
as lt Is considered safe.
The last man OF the Tribune editorial staff
to leave the building was Chas. ALI. VIII
liams. managing editor. He was badly
burned about the head and hands and wit
messed the death Of several men. When
Williams started down the ladder. the nre
was burning his hair and neck, and he mar
rowly escaped the fate Of the others who
preceded him, the heat and smoke being
overpowering. AS far as learned the Injured
are
WILLIAM LAWN, printer. burned on hands
| and face.
.. 6. ANDREWS, printer, burned on hands
GEORGE E. WoRDEN, printer. hurt about
CHARLES ALI WILLIAMS, managing edI-
tor Of the Tribune. badly burned about the
W. II. WILLIAMS, foreman Of the compos-
ing room, badly burned about the face and
hands.
S. Fl. JONES. Pioneer Press reporter.
hands and face slightly burned.
FRANK HOOVER, printer, burned about
the neck.
The total loss by the fire Is about $4,000.
The Tribune loss Is placed at $4,000, with
$4,000 insurance. The Journals loss Is
$4,000. half insured. The Tribune job Of
fee lost 100000, with but $4,000 Insurance.
The insurance foots up S150,O0O. The pa
pers will all be published as usual tomorrow.
The Tribune has the use Of the st. Paul
Dispatch plant for its morning issue. while
the Tribune-Star, its evening issue, will
come out on time through the courtesy Of the
| Minneapolis Times. The Evening jour
| nal will be indebted to the st. Paul
| Pioneer Press for type and presses.
| James +. lgoe was a native of Ashland,
| Pa, and for the past two years and half
had always been at his post, being known as
a careful, conscientious and Intelligent oper-
| atOr.
Walter Z. Miles was native of Ireland.
| He served as operator during the day, and
| agent at night. He yesterday completed his
| 11th month without a "break," one OF the
| most remarkable telegraphlc feats 10 history
| There Is great indignation at the owners
/ Of the building, which has been considered
dangerous for some time, its loose eOnstruc-
tiOn permitting the heavy machinery to jar
the whole building, The elevator attendant
| says: II took couple OF women up in the
elevator few minutes before the fire broke
| out, and they did not come out again. l did
| not know them, but they said they wanted
| to see the city editor Of the Pioneer Press"
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