New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-04-20
IEAprNG FROM THE FLAMES TO DEATH.
THE STORY OF SURVIVOR OF THOSE. WHO
JUMPED FROM WINDOWS.

I.EAPING FROM THE FLAMES TO DEATH
THE STORY Oh A SURVIVOR OF THOSE WHO
JUMPED FROM WINDOWS.
One Of tie men on the third story of n X.
Fairbank G. Co.'S. building after the fire had
gained considerable Roadway was Maurice
O'Hara, of No. 623 Eighth-ave lie together with
Henry Benning, of No. 6o4 Tenth-ave., and John
johnson, OF No. 537 West Forty-second-st, were
working together when the cries OF the crowds
which quickly gathered below the large building
attracted their attention. O'IIara ran TO the
window, but saw at first no means OF escape as
the distance, he said, made him dizzy. Return
Ing TO the stairway and attempting to descend,
the dense smoke and flame which had already
begun to make their way through the building,
drove him back. There was, he said, but one
way opcn and that was to jump from the window.
CLOSING my eyes, said O'IIara, and letting
myself down as far as possible, AFTER picking out
the most suitable place, let myself drop, iaiilng
upon the platform or weighing scale l was dazed
by the shock and bruised somewhat, but recovered
sufficiently in o few minutes TO mob
ble away and let my wife know that
| was still among the living. My companions
were less fortunate. Benning, when he saw the
gtate of affairs went quickly as possible to the
northern corner of the rooms to turn the steam OH
from the melting lard, in the hope that 1t would
keep the fire from breaking out so soon In the
trd story, where we were. He succeeded In do
ing this. but became excited at once and seemed
10 lose his head lie tried to descend by the
stairway also, but was forced back, and then
rushed frantically to the side OF the building neXt
TO the river furthest at that time from the hnmes
Although ueople below called to him to take care
and wait till a ladder was put up to him, he re-
fused to obey, and throwing himself from the
window. fell upon the hard ground below. His
bael, was broken, killing him almost instantly
When | arrived at the place be was dead Ills
bodv wus afterward removed TO the station house
in Forty-seventh-st, by order OF the police cap
tain"
Benning was man Of about forty years ola
and unmarried. lie was the only support OF an
aged mother who at the time OF the fatal Ihli
WAS living on q sick-bed. The shock, when she
was informed Of her sons death, was too great Tor
the old woman, and IL was said late last night
that she WIS dying.
. Jobr Johnson said o'IIars, in continuing his
report. my other partner in the third story, n
married man. who lives at No. 537 West Forty
second-st.. although more fortunate than poor
Benning, was not so lucky as l. He rushed to the
window about twenty minutes to o'clock, ana
without taking the distance into consideration,
sprang out. lie was badly injured by the fall, ami
was taken by the ambulance - ,lIevue HoptiL7
A narrow escape was also made by James Whit
man. of No. 237 West Sixtieth-st, who WIS on the
top door at the time Benning jumped from the
window. Accompanied by John Dexter, another
workman, he attempted to descend the central
stairway, but was driven back by the flames. lie
was too high above ground to jump without meet
ing certain death, and he sought another means
OF escape Passing through narrow corridor To
the par OF the building occupied BY the nrp o.
Rosslter x Skidmore, he called for aid. some one
opened he hatchway, giving nm medhs VI
escape. III,
number Of the firemcn also suffered in their
brave attempts 10 overcome the flames or save
Engine No % attempted 30 fnsten its hose 10 the
Migrant In front OF the burning building, tbey
were driven back by the extreme heat which
WINS overpowering. Assistant Foreman Edward
il. Tobin, OF that engine, In attempting 10 pld
defiance TO the raging fire was overcome ty inc
condition TO Roosevelt Hospital, where at hiSt
reports he resting WELL ana VIII
be able TO- return -, TO-, MS -, r home
| No 2, was somewhat similar lie rushed into .
most dangerous place, where the walls threatened
| 20 f8ll every minute, and he was also overcome
| by the heat While in this dazcd condition he
| fell suffering dlslocahen OF the shoulder; ne
| was taken 10 his home. Fircmen Price, Clark ana
McCue Of Engine No 20. displayed great pluck
and c1urnge and by their bravery and eoolrsss
| succeeded in rescuing five men who would douht-
| less have persisted One OF the most heroic OF
| the lifesavers was William DonDelly. employed by
| IT, c. Eastman who succeeded In saving several
! people, but was injured in manner that may
! prove serious The ladder which was placed
| against the wall 10 aid the imprisoned worlmen
| was not long enough 10 reach the window where
| a number OF them were standing ana chmorlng 10
| be saved. Donneily, who Is strong fellow,
| placed the the ladder upon his shoulders, thus
| adding enough TO It's length TO make the
| ESCAPE OF the men possible. But the strain
| of the heavy men who were, OF course, excited
| was hard 20 bear, and his shoulder was terribly
| torn lie will carry the marks Of his bravery
with him long.
| William Kennedy. Of Engine No. %. was instru-
| mental in the escape Of many. Although 1t was
impossible at late hour last night TO verify the
| statement several men were said 10 be missing,
| and supposed TO be buried in the terrible heap of
| ruins which marks the place where the building
| Gncn stood.