Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-02-21

kAthbs
HAarronp. Coss., Feb. IS. The main
portion OF the Park Central Hotel facing
on High and Allen streets fell down this
few moments before o'clock
burying In the debris at least 50 people.
The cause OF the accident isnot at present
known, but It IL supposed to have resulted
from the explosion of the boilers In the
basement and from the havoc oreated In
adjoining buildings the explosion theory
seems the most probable.
Every window in the Earl House, right
across Allen street, was broken and the
walls were smashed In many places. The
noise OF the fall aroused the whole city
and 10 very few minutes large crowd
surrounded the scene. II was sight of
horror, and one that will never DO for
gotten by the spectators. Flames COM
pletely enveloped the ruins and the
shrieks Of the wounded and dying rose
high above the boarse notes OF the hre-
men and policemen who had been sum
moned by an alarm from the are depart
ment.
At this hour 20 q. m. II is almost i'm
possible to give detailed account Of the
accident. The people who escaped from
an annex are too frightened to be able TO
talk intelligently.
1t is the most horrible catastrophe that
has ever been known Ia Hartford and
when the list Of dead and wounded is
completed 1t will be found to DO horror
equal to any that has taken place within
the last half century. The loss OF life is
believed to be not less than SO, but it
cannot be stated definitely as the night
clerk is among the missing snd tho books
are destroyed.
Nearly all the domestics and help en-
ployed In the hotel were aayed. They
occupied the sleeping apartment In the
annex which was only partially wrecked
by the explosion; some forced their way
out themse!y ga, others were helped ont.
The entire msin section of the hotel is
gone only pile of brick and timbsrs re-
naming.
ROASTED ALIVE IN VIEW OF THE CROWD.
The scsnes about the ruins were horri,
BILE. In the centre of the spot where the
building stood were man, his wife and
little girl. No help could get to them,
and they fnally fell back iuto the flames,
and perished ia pisin sight of the speo.a
tors The child cried for help. but the
man and woman uttered no word. Em.
.bfaoed in each otEsr's arms they met
death bravely.
The shriehs of another woman oause
the blood of the spectators to turn cold
az they saw young lady lying with her
body half across q beam with a look Of
agony on her face. Finally the support
fell and she dropped out OF sight.
The shock OF the explosion blew out
every window In the south side of the
Earl House Just north OF the Park Cen
trail Hotel. Women with their faces
blanched In terror and strong men pale
with fright rushed beadiong into The
street in their night clothes.
SUPPOSED TO HAVE BGEN KILLED.
Amony the missing are Charles NJ
Webster, insurance agent Of this city
Mr. Pond Of Indiana, tho Dem
ocratic speaker. was guest at the hote
and is supposed to be among the killed
Eddie Boyle, an employee; Gsorg,
8. Ketohum, brother of tho proprietor o
the hotel; the Rev. DIR. Perrin and wife
secretary of the Congregational rrac
| Society; w. Tillotson, commercial trav
eIer; Mr.. Stiffias, safe agent; Wellington
Kstchum, proprietor Of the hotel, an,
wife and son Eddie; Louis n. Bronson
and wife of Hartford; NJ Galoly, edito
OF the German Herald, this city; Andrey
E. Whiting and wife, this city; Dwigh
II Buell., j4weler, this city.
Nothing had been seen or heard Of an
VI the al.,5 IL m Y, 6lid fS1v are al
relieved 10 hs buried ID the rulIla.
THE MILITIA TO THE RESCUE.
At 10 a. m. two special alarms hsv
Just been rung in for assistance at tn
rufus. The calls were for the city's com
paries OF the state militia for the purpos
OF aiding In the rescue of the untortr
mites OF the acaident, and also to form
Gordon around the standing walls, whic
look very threatening.
TERRIFIC FORCE OF TIE EXPLOSION.
The force of the explosion threw be
with sleeping woman upon II far I'M
the street while one Of the heavy d0ol
landed block away.
THE WRECKED HosTErRIE.
Tbs Park Central Botei was q fiy
storied structure about 80 feet froi
and 100 feet deep.
1t was situated at the corner OF allie
and High streets about one block fro
the Union depot and was principal
patron'z d by commercial men al
theatrical troupes. The house had sccor
modst,ons for about l9l guests and W
faVorite over SUnday stopping place +
commercial travellers.
TEE KILLED ESTIMATED AT SIXTY.
An intending guest who applied for
room late Saturday night was inform
that they wsre full, so 1t seems probst
that at least so persons were in the hou
at the time Of the explosion, of viii
perhaps % escaped. About six perso
, have been sent 10 the hospital. The 70
. roads have furnished their forces
lsborers with jacks, 60, and the work
searching for bodies is now going (,
ward systematically.
THEATRICAL ooMpANY's GOOD FoRru,
The report that the Hoodman BIZ;
I Company was quartered in the hotel
, incorrect. The members applied for 9
mission late Saturday evening, but sou
, not get rooms.
, DEAD AND WOUNDED.
. The dead body OF Dwight Blu,
: jawelsr, was taxed ont about 10 colo,
The bodies of Lonis X Bronson, Btc
dealer, wife and child vera discovered
/ about the came time. Harry s. Snfls
!, commercial traveller Of Philadelphia, "
= ruomed on the third door was taken |
severely bruised, but remarked that
= was ''all right"
l. II is understood now that the bodies
Q Mr.. Bronson, wife and child have i
"a been recovered. Mr.. pendlston Of
- diana, who was soliciting su oscfiptions
complete o monument to Thomas
Hendricks, ia among tine missing. D
,, James. an agent of the White Star Ii
10 was taken out at noon alive and not ace
is ing to be very badly injured, althou
> not able to stand. He said that Lsndl,
:, Ketchum md wife ware pear xvbara