The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-02-19
DEATH IN THE RUINS.
Fall of the Park Central
Hotel at Hartford.
Inmates Imprisoned Be-
meath Piles of Debris.
Their Piercing Cries Echo
ing Amidst the Smoke.
Sad Scenes as the Injured
Were Removed.
Marvellous Escape from Be-
meath Tons Of Debris.
A Portland Man Tells of
His Experience.
Over Thirty Dead and Ten
Wounded.
Mrs. WeSSOn and Five Chill
dren Missing.
Over Thirty Dead and Ten
Wounded.
Mrs. WeSsOn and Five Chill
dren Missing.

S.A " AsS AHohNdtAOuo bulo iuOIuluk Uy u
terrific explosion. and as crowds of people
gathered at the spot from which the sound
came instead Of the four-story Park Central
Hotel which had stood there on the night
before, a great mass of masonry, spliptered
beams, and piles of lath and plaster met
their gaze. Clouds Of smoke were rising
from the ruins and through 1t came the heart
rending cries Of MANNED and dying .unfor-
tunates imprisoned In the wreck To add to
the horror Of the scene. tongues Of flame
were already wreathing themselves about
the timbers and infiammable debris. The
danger of death by the flames was added to
the terrors Of the situation Of those In the
wreck who had not already lost their lives
In the disaster. But spurred on by the cries
Of the wounded and the pitable sights which
were before them, the fremen conquered
their foe and the work of rescue began, be-
ing vigorously carried on.
Up to o'clock 16 persons had been recoy-
cred from the ruins, eight Of whom were
dead and
EIGHT STILL ALIVE.
Mrs. Ketchum, wife Of the proprietor, it is
thought viii not survive. She is suffering
from severe contusions Of the spine. The
transient guests killed and already identi-
fed are:
]. NJ. Haussman, travelling agent for the
Reverb Revere Rubber Company, Boston. residence
George w. Root, drummer for Waite, VIII
liams 4 Co., dealers in oils, Boston.
A. +. Tillottson, drummer for the Morrill,
Chemical Company, Cincinnati.
field.
J.C. Hill, New York. travelling sales
man.
1t is believed that Mrs. Wesson of Spring
field, widow Of Frank Wesson, who was
killed in the White River junction railroad
accident was in the hotel together with her
family OF five children and probably a SER
want or two. People from Springfield were
In the city today, knowing that she stayed
in Hartford over Sunday. Her name was
not found on any hotel register. The death
Of her and her family wauld raise the aggre-
gate loss OF life by probably seven addition
al.
HOME is IN PORTLAND, ME-,
and who spent last night in the annex or
eastern end of the hotel, part of which was
left standing, says he felt something of
shock and heard sound, but nothing like
what should accompany a boiler explosion.
He didn not believe there had been one. He
did not even deem it advisable to get up,
but heard the shrieks Of women and chill
dren and felt the floor going. He bounded
out Of bed, grabbing his gripsack and es-
Among the fragments blown into the win
dows OF the Earl House on the opposite side
OF Allyn street, was piece Of paper, rpon
which was written: George Z. Harrlng-
ton. No. 10 Grand street, Waterbury" A
card marked with rubber stamp, "a. S.
Ferris. "a Washington street, South Nor
wall" was also found In the room. A pa
per in a.wrapper addressed to "MissBellaJa-
ras. box 3lS, Hartford" was picked up on
the street.
Walter M. Gay of New York. brother Of
the librarian at the Watkinson library, had
narrow escape from death. The rescuing
party reached him at 1890. His body was
held down by timbers and lathing. He was
conscious during the whole time, though
badly bruised. The first intimation he had
OF the accident was the tumbling Of brick
and mortar and dull explosion. Water
soon poured in upon him, and he lay par
tally Immersed In it. Fortunately the lath-
ing formed sort lof arch over his head, and
with his free arm he was able to clear away
some Of the debris which fell about his
head. His room was next to that occupied
by Mr.. Ketchum and his wife. He heard
the proprietor's voice In the ruins shortly
before he was taken out.
Ketchum was still alive. A few minutes
uAtOA " Ciutht DOtu hclCuulu anu HIS WIG
were taken out alive. Both were very weak
Their boy Eddie, ID years old, is supposed to
be still In the ruins.
7. p. Robertson, the head waiter SAYS he
was awakened by the shock and hurried his
clothes on. Great commotion was caused
among the employees in the annex, the girls
especially being excited and anxious to leave
the building. He first thought the hotel on
hre. His room was shaken up, the furniture
being disarranged and the lamp globes
no oil rfw
turned to his room, finished dressing and
aided the others In getting out.
MESSAGES TO DISTANT FRIENDS.
The following articles were taken from
the ruins or were found on the bodies taken
out:
l.. Spencer, Norwich, Conn"
sack coat with two books, the name In the
books being "A. j: Whiting" No address.
bundle OF undercl0thing and a trunk the
name on the trunk being &c. Jaros."
An envelope with the name ''Mrs. III. Jaros' on
it.
An oyercoat with a blue muller and gloves
with the name michael Carrigin."
Ayest with gold watch and card with the
name "A: B. Stacker, No Orchard Place"
A trunk containing women's clothing with
the initials 81. Ii. b. marked on the linen.
Since p. m. the following bodies have
| been recovered:
George Ketchum, brother of the land
lord.
Freddie Ketchum, the landlords son.
George W. Root, Brockport, N. Y, travel
er for Waite, Williams 81 Co., Boston
A. +. 1fllotson, traveller for the Merrill
| Chemical Co., Cincinnati.
The unidentified body of man about 40
| years old, brown hair. head bald on top,
| heavy brown moustache, brown eyes. He
has on underclothing red and brown stripe,
| red cashmere socks, Boston CATERS.
The young daughter Of Mr.. and Mrs. l..
| H. Bronson, whose bodies were recovered
| earlier.
Extra electric lights have been put in
around the ruins and the search will be Wig
| orously pushed through the night. Some OF
| the bodies are much disigured and burned
| 1t Is now estimated that not far from 80 per.
| sons were in the building of whom % have
| been accounted for; 10 dead and alive. All
| 7.45 the body of man was taken out and X
| not yet identified. He was about 40 yeas.
/ old, with black hair. mustache and goatee
and weighs about 200 pounds.
| THE INJURED.
The ten victims at the hospital are all do
ing well, Most Of the injuries are superfi
cisl All are suffering from chill ard expos
ure. The following Is complets list
Helen Leport, New Britain. scalp wound
| and bruises.