Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-06-05
gobIe Acts Of HerOism. and Rare Bray
err Of Women in a Terrible Or
deal in the Burning Building.
o,s Of the Most Remarkable CONGREGATIONS In
history, from which Thousands Es-
capped and Only One Died.
Palace 6rander and ATore BeautifuI
Than Ever to be Erected in 1ssI-scenes
st the Fire and List of the Injured.

The burning of the pride and glory of Texas
tbs spring Palace-night before last will ever be
,sneubered by those who witnessed the terribly
,,sBd spectacle, as one of the most remarkable
ssp6sgrations that ever occurred in the history,
not only Of this, but of any country. Never was
there erected structure so infamable in char
,tsr .nd it had been recognized as an inc vitable
,.7uepce that should FIRE once get hold of it that
II would be swept out of existence almost like
,Bovder house. This being realized, particular
,ttsution had been paid TO the arrangements,
in case Of fire. and when fire did come and in a
isT minutes sweep out of existence the great
object lesson of the state. the great fore
sight OF the Palace builders was fully
demonstrated by the facility with which
ne thousands Of people were enabled to escape
from the great burning mass.
Tho Palace was erected as an object lesson to
show 10 the world what Texas could produce in
ne way Of products OF the earth but It was
never contemplated that it would. as it stood a
grest pillar OF living fire, show to the world
S1other race of heroes AID heroines, such as
were developed under the most trying ordeal
tha. men and women ever passed through. It
vas 2 terrible sight, such as had never been
Witnessed in Texas before, and while all who
we're in the building when the flames were rush
Ing like fiery demons from floor to floor, from
tower 70 roof, and from roof to
dome, believed that hundreds would
surely perish, there was exhibited such
nobility by the men and such cool bravery by
the women as challenges the admiration of
5eryone. Even those of tender years, who
stood in space encircled by walls of roaring,
cracking flames, showed so much GOODNESS, so
much elaboration in their movements, that one
stofced to wonder at it.
From the fash of match the blaze grew with
lightnng-like rapidity, spreading from post to
pllaT thence leaped to the ceiling and walls,
as1N
TOP to the great dome overhead, and before those
who started to escape from the upper floor when
The fire originated had reached the bottom of the
stairway, the entire upper part of the building
vas roaring and cracking with a fierceness
that usually strikes terror to the heart
Of everyone. From the moss and grass
lined ceilings, great showers OF burniDg frag-
ntnts were continually falling on the people.
but stu there was no panic. Cool men and
brave women marched Non down the stairways
between and under the great burning walls
quietly, and each one seemed, while seeking
safety for themselves, to be solicitous for those
about them.
When the first dread cry of fire. was ut
tered It was not followed by the shrieks of
women and children or the cowardlY fight OF
men so usual under circumstances OF this kind,
but as stated, everybody acted with q degree
Of deliberatiun that was remarkable and to |
tas is due the fact that the injuries sustained |
BY those there are so small. There were in |
some parts OF the building. when |
Esh and women who allowed their fears to get |
ne best Of them and who threw themselves /
NON the windows TO the ground instead of seek !
ing other parts OF the building from which they |
o0ald AaVe escaped. Some of these people |
were hurt, some broke their limbs, while others |
81 On with slight bruises; but on the whole, /
" presence OF mind OF the Jhousan ds Of peo- /
the burning building has been the subject |
hight
y! Nj W. P. Tucker, representing the New York |
= ora; who was At the Palace during the fire.
lit4aiEed 10 GAzHrTR reporter yesterday that
y Aad never heard Of, and surely had never |
'een, such firm, cool and collected mass of |
PEOPLE under such trying circumstances in his
Ls. SAID he: 1T was the most remarkable
,sls acknowledgements and children sur
S5naeo on the right left, in front and behind
~ overhead by roaring flames, and not one
4ngle cry or shrek of terror but the mass
I'VE, -o'ea on TO safety like soldiers on the drill
HOand TWAS wonderful -
There was not so much occasion for fright he
" as therS was on the second floor and
5ese on Inc ground floor had a better opportu-
~, ~ 70 witness the fearful panorama than those
NY , HeIe seeking to escape from more danger
= .ttoeal'les. From in front of the fountain
= ,Ie norm, the progress of the flames could De
, I'Slel With safety, could also the surging
- people streaming down The different
IA 80 rom above From this point
=, 49,, S's was one OF terrible beauty There
M Nv creeping OF flames, but they rushed on
Ii ards Ike men charging in battle and
CON- slsy aid rash on sight was seen on the
M. s uoor that was picture in itself.
-a us ursmen had the water on the fire as quick
\ IN, could act, and at The hydrant lust above
,n oalu stand they stood and did battle as long
~ uoulu stand there. It was no use though;
bSfl sSsef IN the city could not have saved
IN -''Ui''E' and the hremen had to give up the
4 5o SI me dsmes reached the great dome they
,l5eD ~! pEeal they leaped, and in an instant the
nfs, 4 NC was sheet of yellow fire, in the
So scor.S ol which the bright star formed
isgc, u a T3 mi electric lights still shed its
{. many in their flight from the bnildinS
Ir M ~ 70 iook at in admiration.
6rs> nan I'VE minutes after the first alarm
e tbs Is.gs given the building wss clear of peo-
addsSl 1ss INA man TO leave being President B. B.
e ti6s ,si ne had stood by the band stand all
Is jpef ,o lng the people to keep cool, and it
beIrss I 40, 20 such cool healed men as he and
On 10 is, ,nst panic was avoided, The last
Murpbv T ysS IN 9 upper floor was Major W. ,
siryaFr1 S VINO stood at the head OF the main I
an. vor ess' OF the hand stand until every
oD 81 ~ I Ichild had PASSED out of that