The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1889-03-01

morning, totally wrecking the entire front
of the structure. which was a ive-story
brick building. and burying in the debris
nj least fifty persons. The noise or the fall
aroused the whole city, and in few min
utes large crowd surrounded the
scene. Il was sight Of horror,
aud one not 70 be forgotten by
the spectators. Flames completely
cnveloped the ruins, and the shrieks OF
the wounded and dying rose high above
the hoarse shouts OF the fremen and the
noise Of the engines which had been sum-
moned by an alarm Immediately sent IN.
Il Is the most horrible catastrophe that
mas ever been known in Hartford, and
when the list Of dead and wounded Is
completed. il will be found TO be horror
equal 10 any that has taken place within
the last half century. The loss OF life is
believed not 10 be less than fifty, but II
can not be definitely stated. rs the night
clerk, Nr. Terry. j. among the missing,
and has books are destroyed.
Nearly all the help Of the hotel were
saved. They occupied the sleeping apart.
ments in the east wing Of the annex,
which was only partly wrecked by the ex-
plosion. Some forced their way out them
selves, others were helped out
The scenes about the ruins were hor-
rible. In the center OF the site where the
building had stood. were a man. his wife
and little girl. No help could get to them.
and they finally fell back into the flames
aud died in plain sight Of the spectators.
The little one cried for help, but the man
and the woman uttered not word, but
embraced in each other and met death
brayely.
Away out, near the annex, the shrieks
of woman caused the blood Of the people
looking on 10 turn cold as they saw
Young girl living with her body half way
across beam. a look OF agony on her face.
Finally the support fell and she disap-
pcared from sight.
The shock OF the explosion blew every
window in the south side Of the Earl
House. which is just north Of the Park
Central. into fragments.
Women with their faces blanched in
terror and strong mon pale with fright
rushed headlong into the street in their
night clothes.
MIR. Pond. OF Indiana, the Democratic
speaker, was one OF the guests. and is
supposed to be among the killed.
TIE Pax Central Hotel was situated at
The corner OF Allyn and High streets,
about one block from the Union Depot,
aud was principally patronized by CON-
mercial men and theatrical troupes.
The hotel was built about fifteen years
ago and cost with furniture. Sf2o,ooo.
The soil was soft. and although the build
ing was carefully built. il soon settled
badly. About I'VE years ago Mr.. ketchum
took the lease and renovated and refur-
nishcd the house. The insurance IS S3s,-
DO,.
The house had accommodations for
about one hundred guests. and was q
favoritc over Sunday stopping place for
commercial travellers.
Ii is stated that no fragment Of the
boiler has yet been found, which initiates
against the theory Of boiler explosion.
A special call issued at 10 a. NJ. was
for the city companies Of the state militia
for the purpose ~ aiding in the rescue cf
the victims Of the accident, and also
t. form Gordon around the standing
walls, which look very threatening.
AT first the fire and smoke prevented
any attempt to rescue the victims, and IL
was not until Hood OF water had been
poured upon the ruins that the work
paid be prosecuted. A few dead or dy-
ing persons were taken from the edge cf
the debris. however. within an hour after
the explosion. The force 81 the explosion
threw bed with a sleeping woman upon
IL. far into the street. while one Of tho
heavy doors OF the house landed block
away
~ nine O'Clock the flames were 30 far
sub iued that the rescuers were enabled
to get at some Of the victims. Some were
pinned beneath heavy timbers, upon
which rested masses ~ masonry. render
irv the work Of rescue extremely hazard
AZ Intending guest. who applied for .
room late Saturday evening, was informed
That they were full. 50 it seems probable
that al least eighty persons were In tn
honse AZ the time OF the explosion. o
which perhaps twenty escaped uninJured
These were mostly employees, who occu
pied an annex, or wing 81 the house ex
lending 10 the east. and which has not ye
fanrn- although in shnky condition
Among those known 70 be buried In tn
ruins are:
rev. DIR. l.. Perrin and wife, Of Ne'
Britain.
* ". r. whiting. actuary Of the Hart
ford Life and Annuity Insurance. Com
pany, and wife.
Wellington Ketchum, proprietor Of II
hatel, wife and son.
Max Galody, editor Of the Hartfor
Herald.
Geo. J. Engler, drug clerk. Hartford.
Tdrard Perry. night clerk Of the hott
.yshn NJ. Housman, Revere Rubber Con
pany. Boston. -,
Geo. w. Root traveller for Waite, WI
inms a. Co., Boston.
-. Hill, room -, fourth floor.
A. T.. Tillotson, traveller for Merr
chemical Company, Chicago.
Taken out dead--Gcorge Gaines, mig
porter.
At hospital:
Jacob Turpin, colored waiter.
Helen La ronte, guest.
Jennie Decker, unionville, guest; bad
.ourxed and both legs broken.
Michael Kcrrigan, Unionville; bad
bruised.
Owing to the destruction of the regis
of The hotel, the names of many 81
.-uesss can not be aSceriaincd. The cat
fr,phe IA generally supposed 70 have %
caused BY an explosion Of the boiler,
th.ugh some doubt has been expressed
this point, as the building has been po
larry supposed to be unsafe. II was p
cn "mnder ground.
The street department and railro
sl..{r fn~rpQ ~ llIOrerS