The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-06-05

Today from multitudes all over the broad
land the devout prayers of grateful peo.
pie are turned to the creator for miraculous
escape of loved ones whose lives were
|jeopardized.
Mingled with these are requiems for the
young hero, A. L. Haynes, who thought
not of himself but of his defenseless fellow
men until the flames had enveloped him
within their deathdealing coil. His
bravery shall be as enduring as the men,
ory of the palace itself. Itwas the moment
of the climax in the karporama's glory, for
since the gates were thrown open on the
10th day of May everything smiled pro-
| pitiously upon the festival. People had
come from the ends of the earth to witness
the festivities and hear the grand music of
the Elgin band.
| Sunday would have marked its close, and
on last evening it had .been decided that a
grand ball should be given upon the con-
clusion of the concert. TheEfashionable
and elite societies of many Texas towns had
arrived to do honor to the occasion
Ushers were buslly engaged in clearing
away the space below what had been al.
| loted to the dancers, and hundreds of per-
sons who did not desire to witness the ball
left the building.
Those were two of the most fortunate cir
cumstances, especially the former, for the
passage ways, corridors and exits were then
cleared of all obstacles and left an escape
when once the ground floor was reached.
The building, nevertheless, was crowded,
here being at least 1000 people within its
walls
THE SCENE ON THE BALCONY
was one of extreme br1lliancy for hundreds
of gallant men had under escort the hand
soonest women of Texas dressed in most
exquisite costumes.
1t was 10 80 o. clock, when in fancied secu-
rity and blissfnl happiness every one was
drinking in the full enjoyment of the occa-
flame rise under the footsteps of a passing
man near the gold room in the eastern
wing. They rushed to the spot and fought
the incipiant blaze with determination. 1t
was in vaIn for the infiammable material of
the decorations needed but lspark and
in twinkling ofan eye the blaze rushed to
the toplof the tower. The most courageous
trembled. There was not single cry of
fire, but mothers, pale with fear, strained
their children to them and set their teeth
with a determination for a safe escape.
1t would be almost impossible to record
all the deeds of bravery that we're accomp-
lished. The crowd was out not a second
too soon, for the heat was intense and one
moment more would have been fatal.
THE WORST PANIC
occurred at the long stairway leading from
the south side, but this was soon relieved
by tearing off the railing so that persons
could Jump off, and once outside safety was
gained. The excitement OF the populace gave
itself full rein knowing what narrow es-
cape each had. One and all thought of
the loved ones who were in the building.
Pitious, blood curdling screams made hid.
eous the hour. my wife! my husbandW
were the cries that were heard on every
side. Men and women had to be forcibly
restrained from rushing into the flames
seeking those whom they believed were
victims of the great destroyer, The flames
soon spread to the small buildings on the
grounds, where were the refreshment stands,
and quite number of them were burned
before the progress of the fire could be ar
rested by tearing down a number of build
ings The fire originated from a match,
but whether lighted match was thrown
on the floor or some one stepped on it can
not be determined
THE LOSSES.
1t is almost impossible at the present
time to form any satisfactory estimate of
the losses, as the owners of the exhibits are
not at hand to place value upon them.
The estimate of 100000, as sent out last
night, is believed to be correct. The valu-
able historical fruit and mineral collec-
tions. as well as numerous artistic designs,
can scarcely be estimated in money. The
Palace was insured for $4,000.
The Elgln bands loss will reach 10000
in money value. About one-half of their
instruments, sixty uniforms which had re-
Gently been purchased at a cost of $1,000
and their valises and trunks with their
baggage were all consumed. The chief
loss was in manuscript music which money
can't replace-all of Prof. Hecker's recent
compositions.
A braver man than
A. $. HAYNE
never lived and none ever died more glor-
ious DEATH When the fire first began he
went to work with stone heart and cool
brain to assist helpless women and children
to escape from the terrible danger which
everywhere surrounded them. How many
he carried to the windows aad dropped to
the earth below cannot be told for he was
indefatigable in his efforts to saveel life.
At last he was compelled to leave the
building, but not until everyone else was out
of the part in which he was working. With
a helpless woman in his arms he jumped
from the window striking the ground with
such force as to break him all to pieces.
His clothes were now in blaze and before
they could be put out he was so badly
burned that he died about 80 a. IN. Mr..
Hayne was an Englishman by birth, but
lived in this country for number of years,
ten or twelve of which were spent in and
about this city. He was railroad con-
tractor.
THE CASUALTIES.
1t is now known positively that only one
life was lost in the Spring Palace fire. Fol
lowing is complete list of the casualties:
Judge L. NJ. Cooper, fracture of both legs
compound in one and simple in the other;
will recover.
Mrs. Volney Hall, broken thigh and
other injuries.
CIV. Hollingsworth, injuries in thigh
and brain.
J.. F. Maxwell, ear and face badly
burned.
James S. Davis, back sprained.
Miss Lilly Burgess, ankle sprained.
George Hartwell, ankle dislocated.
Miss Mamie Douglass of Tyler bruised.
Mrs. A. NJ. Grant of Weatherford badly
bruised but able to go home this morning.
L. J. Lewis child badly hurt.
Bissell Wilson of St. Louis connected
with the Missouri, Kansas and Texas rail
road, badly hurt by suffering from a frac-