The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-12-02
FIRES FEAST OF FLESH.
FEARS THAT TEE DEATH LIST May
REACH TWENTY-FIVE.


ssven Bodies Already Recovered and
More in the Ruins-Two Men Known
70 Have Blown Out Their Brains
Press Operator Igoe's P1ucky Fight
for Life-The Dangerous Character
of the Building Well Known.
M1NNEAPoLIs, Dec. -Four smoke-black-
ened and crumbling walls towering up above
a steaming, smoking. smouldering mass of
machinery, brick and building debris, is all
that now remains of the eight-story brick
building in which, until to-day, had been
nrintsd three daily and one weekly news
naper, and where was located the Mime
apolis Tribune, besides numerous other
offices. All day to-day a constantly
changing and increasing crowd of sight
seers throng the streets, watching the ef-
forts of the firemen to subdue entirely the
flames, which they had brought under con-
troll at about 2 o'clock this morning. The
fire was fierce one while it lasted, and it
was due to the effective work of the depart
ment that the flames were kept from
spreading to the wooden buildings on the
adjacent lots
DEATHS HAND IN THE PLANS.
The plan of the building was such as to
make it well-nigh impossible for any one
who delayed after an alarm had been given
to make his escape. AS there were no less
than one hundred men at work on the
upper stories at the time the fire broke out,
and the warning was late, as well as the
means of egress limited, some loss of life
was a certainty. Several times there have
been small fires in the building. but they
hnd bat
although all realized sthe combustible ma
ture of the building. the warning was less
likely to be needed.
LONG CONSIDERED DANGEROUS.
The building had been considered danger
Gus for some time, its loose construction
permitting the machinery to jar the whole
structure. There was but one fire escape
and it was at the end of the building where
the fire ragged fiercest.
The single stairway was spiral, narrow and
dark, and wound around the elevator shaft.
Three years ago the inadequate fire pro-
tsctlon of the building was considerably
agitated by the Trades and Labor Assembly,
and the matter was carried finally to the
city officials. an attempt being made to
have the building properly protected or
condemned, but nothing came of it. Since
that time no change has been made in the
structure.
DIDN'T REALIZE THEIR DANGER.
Last night, a few minutes after 10 o'clock,
when the alarm was sounded, it was not re-
garded seriously by the men at work,
although many of them started down stairs.
No danger or serious results were thought
Of when the men started out, many Of them
lokingly speaking of it as a false alarm.
This feeling Of safety resulted in the death
Of a number and the narrow escape of
others. For some time the Union League
Club room, where the fire started, had not
been used, and the fires origin is a mystery.
SPREAD LIKE A FLASH.
This room was close to the elevator shaft,
and in an attempt to put out the flames a
window was broken open, bringing in a
draught of fresh air. The flames then shot
across the hall and up the elevator shaft in
amoment, and cut off the escape of those
who had delayed. A few broke through
the sitting smoke and scorching flames, but
others sought escape elsewhere. Being at
the south end of the building, while the only
fire-escape was at the north end, the printers
found their way to the stairs, as well as
down them, cut off.
CLINGING TO THE WINDOW LEDGEs.
A number of them climbed out of win
dows and clung to the window lodges, wait
Ing tor help, which in some cases came too
late. Their piteous cries for help directed
the tiremen to them, ana number were
saved. Others fell off their narrow resting
place Or dropped from telegraph and tele-
phone wires over which they had tried to
escape, to their deaths on the frozen ground
below. The sight of the sufferings of the
burning, struggling men brought tears to
eyes OF the braves5.
POOR IGoE's BRAVE ATTEMPT.
Women prayed and strong men breath
ACcONiafaH 0nar3
lgoe's brave attempt to escape He had got
clear OF the building, and was gradually
working his way along the wires to safety,
while the silent, prayerful crowd below
anUously and helplessly watched his brave
attempt to save to his wife and four little
ones their bread winner, but the wires cut
his hands, and his strength failed and
groan went up from the uprurned faces far
DeloW him when be was seen to slip from
his slight support and fall to
the roof of the boiler house. The
men lifted him gently and started
Wlth him to drug store, but on the way,
after last word of loving care for his
lamily, he breathed his last. Other heart
rendering scenes were witnessed, but no
light for life could have been pluckier than
tnls, and its fatal termination was matter
lor universal regret.
SEVEN BODIES FOUND.
seven podleS were founo around bne
building last night, all of which have been
menuhed. They were:
MILTON PICKETT, assistant city editor of
Floneer-Press
JAMES T, IGoE, Associated Press night
operator.
WALTER E. MILES, night agent and day
operator of the Associated Press.
EDWARD OLSEN, president of the Univer-
sity OF South Dakota at Vermillion.
N W. ID. MILMAN, commercial editor OF the
Tribune.
JERRY JENKINsoN, a printer.
noBERr MCCUTCHEoN. printer.
MORE BODIES IN THE RUINS.
Other bodies are known to be in the
mTuIdlng, but just how many is uncertain.
4 Two men, who could not be identified, shot
themselves rather than be burned to death,
tt ana to-day the body of man caught in
o one ruins was in plain sight Of the crowd
VI Vn bourth street. 1t is believed that
t .ne number of victims will reach
,v"en1ty, and, perhaps, twenty-five, but
, Sath the debris cools off positive
tained.
THE FrREMEN WITHDRAW.
~ me IRE department withdrew from the
a.,m tuIns tonight, and the search for bodies
soHl "in begin just as soon as it is considered
st.t tRe last man of the Tribune editorial