Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-10-17
THE SYRACUSE FIRE.
DESTRUCTION OF THE MAGNIFICENT
HOTeL LELAND.
r.. .wfor Accompaniment of the Loss OF
Human L,fe-Bsir- Breadth Es-
capes-The Dead.
rnv telegraph to the Dispasch.l

this morning when ire was discovered III
the region of the kitchen, located on the
second floor in the rear OF the west side
of the building. Inside OF fifteen min
utes the building was in flames from end
TO end and before thirty minutes had
elapsed the walls had fallen, with the
execution OF the northeast corner. The
whole vas one settling furnace, 10 which
was added the horror that many lives
were involved. At first 1t was feared tnat
the loss of life was in the nelghborhood
of thirty. but the day wore along and the
number of missing and dead was reduced
TO seven or eight. When the flames be-
gan 10 sweep through the hotel Night
Clerk Porter Jones set the automatic
fire-alarm bells ringing and before the
rndely-awakened guests could realize
what was the matter flames and smoke
rushed through the halls, cutting oil the
mems escape.
A SCENE BRGGAR1SG DESCRIPTION.
The scene beggars description. Strong
men seemed paralyzed with fear and
knew not what TO do. Others, more
cool. hurriedly donned some of their
clothing and glrded about them the
patent fire escapes with which the rooms
were equipped. 1t was nothing but
piece of webbing and rope. but by Its
means many lives were saved. The burn
ing hotel, viewed from the street, pre-
scented q scene which will never be for
gotten. 1t was agonizing in the extreme.
In many windows OF the five stories OF
the burning building could be seen men
and women piteously calling for help or
making their escape by means OF rope
appliances. In q window Of the fifth
story a man and woman were seen TO
be apparently struggling in each others
arms. The woman evidently wanted to
throw herself out of the window. Below
was sea of flames Soon after they
we're lost TO view. On the fifth floor, to-
ward the Fayette-street side, four women
appeared at window. Their screams
for help could be heard above the din
and roar. The firemen shouted to them
to stay where they were. A hook-and-
ladder apparatus was put into position.
I0t tN1lS Vi inO ONClJthd W'ANo NNAN
again demonstrated. The wires were IN
the way and prevented the raising Of the
ladder. The minutes seemed hours while
one OF the laddermen mounted the
rounds and cut the wires. Among the
frightened women at the window was
Annie Cummings, one Of the servants.
Her companions tried to persuade her
from jumping headlong into the street.
While the laddermen were at work hoist
ing ladder willing hands had hold of a
iumping-net The Cummings woman
Jumped, with the evident intention OF
landing in the net.
THE LIST OF THE DEAD.
Following is a list of the dead SO far
as known: Annie Cummings, New
York, aged twenty-four-iumped from
fifth floor, fractured back part of head.
fractured knees, bruises about arms and
hands, killed instantly; William &. Har-
rop, of Elizabeth, n. j., 70 Worth
street, New York, aged forty-lowered
himself by a rope half way down from
the fourth floor, when the rope burned
off and he fell to the ground, died at st.
Joseph's Hospital at A. NJ. Rose
Schwartz, twenty-three years, hotel do
mestic-iumped from fifth floor, right
side of face smashed, compound fracture
of both arms, wounds about the head
and face, died from shock and internal
Injuries at the House of the Good Shop
herd at $50 A. NJ. 4; unknown woman,
about thirty, began work tuesday as a
hotel domestic-jumped from fifth floor,
back of head completely crushed in,
fracture of left thigh, numerous external
injuries, killed instantly, was not dressed,
has red hair, supposed to have lived in
New York. The body IS at McCarthy's
Morgue.
The Cummings woman, in her descent,
struck the wires. Her body bounded
over and over, and she fell, bruised
and mangled heap, seven feet from the
net.
A HEROIC DEED.
Meanwhile the laddermen were work
ing with will, and succeeded in placing
an extension ladder against the building.
A cry of horror rang out from the spec
tators when it was found it was short,
but this was quickly succeeded by a
cheer when one of the laddermen
mounted the ladder, and, standing on
the topmost round, reached up aud
helped down three women. 1t was the
work of hero. Had the Cummings
woman waited moment or two her life
would have been saved. On all sides
men and women could be seen dropping
from windows or sliding down frees
capes.
In the centre of the building was a
courtyard. Here was being enacted
similar scenes to those on the outside OF
the building. The guests in the rooms
facing this court i'll many instances had
to make their escape by this means.
Some jumped, while Others used frees
capes. On the roof OF the boiler-house,
located at the west side OF the building,
at one time lay six or seven persons I'M
conscious and injured. They were re-
moved by fremen and others to places
of safety.
The flames swept through the building
with unparalleled rapidity. Chief-Engi
neer Riley, of the fire department, say:
that when he arrived at the scene he and
bis men made for the upper portion o.
the building. He with a couple OF hose
men reached the fourth floor, when they
found they could go no further.
CORA TANNERS ESCAPE.
Cora Tanner, the actress, made bel
escape in this way. Upon being
aroused she rushed into the hal
and dashed into the first open room
which was occupied by gentleman who
was about to lower himself by fire
escape. She cried to him, For Gods
sake save me and the man stopped il
his flight and adjusted an escape to Mis-
Tanner. He lowered her to the GROUND
and then followed. Miss Tanner wa
not seriously injured. but the palms o.
her hands were lacerated by holding K
the rope. Miss Tanner saved her Jew
els and $500 in cash and her jewel-cast
and tied it about her neck. Miss Tan
ner was taken to the Vanderbilt House
and attended to in the ladies parlor
The other members of her company are
also at the Vanderbilt House. Miss Du
pey and Miss Tanner, both Of the same