The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-10-17
Further Particulars of the Frightful
Hotel Calamity at Syracuse,
New York.
Late Reports Happily Reduce the
Number Of Deaths to Six
or Eight.
Panic-Stricken Guests and Servants Jump
to Certain Death-Evils OF
Overhead Wires.

SYRACUSE, Oct. 16.-The magnificent LIE
land hotel, the most modern and the finest
appointed hotel in central New York, to-
day is nothing but mass of snoulderinp
ruins. It was 12:45 this morning when the
fire was discovered in the region of the
kitchen on the first floor. Inside Of fifteen
minutes the building was in flames from
end to end, and before thirty minutes had
elapsed the walls had fallen with the ex-
ceptlon of the northwest corner. The
whole was one seething furnace, to which
was added new horror as many lives were
involved. At first it was feared the loss Of
life was about thirty, but as the night wore
along the number Of missing and the dead
were reduced to seven or eight. When the
flames began to sweep through the hotel
Night Clerk Jones set the automatic fire
alarm bell ringing. Before the rudely
awakened guests could realize what
was the matter, the flames and smoke
rushed through the halls, cutting of the
usual means of exit. Each room was pro-
vided with common rope fire escape, and
by the means of these many lives were
saved. During the fire the hotel, viewed
from the street. presented scene which
will never be forgotten.
At many of the windows Of the five sto-
ries Of the burning buildings could be seen
men and women pltiousy calling for help
or making their escape by the means of the
rope appliance. In q window OF the fifth
story man and woman were seen appar-
emily struggling in each others arms. The
woman evidently wanted to throw herself
out of the window. Below them was q sea
of flames. Soon after they were lost to
view. On the fifth floor toward the Fayette
street side four women appeared at
the window, and their screams for
help were heard above the din and roar.
The fremen shouted to them to stay where
they were While the hook and ladder was
put in position the evils of overhead wires
was again demonstrated. The wires were
in the way and prevented the raising Of the
ladder. 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 hosting the ladders, willing hands
had hold of a jumping net. The Cum
mings woman jumped with the evident in
tention of landing in the net, but missing
it was dashed to her death. On all sides
mon and women could be seen dropping
from the windows or sliding down the fire
escapes, and on the roof Of the boiler house,
located at the side of the building. at
one time there lay seven persons uncen-
scious and injured. Cora Tanner, the ac-
tress, when aroused rushed into a gentle
mans room and cried, 'For Gods sake
save me!' He let her down by rope and
she escaped with only lacerated hands, saw
ing all her valuables. Other members of
the company also had narrow escapes. The
following is list of the dead as far as
known:
Annie Cummings, jumped from the fifth
floor, killed instantly.
William Z. Harrop, of Elizabeth, n. j.,
lowered himself by means of rope. When
half way down from the fourth floor the
rope burned off and he fell to the ground.
He died at four O'Clock this morning:
from the nth floor, and died from the
shocA and Of internal injuries at eight
p. m.
An unknown woman, thought to be ho-
Tel domestic, jumped from tho fifth floor
and was instantly killed.
The missing are:
Mary Doyle, servant.
Robert Mills, of New York, guest.
A. J. Vanhouten, of Jersey City, guest.
George Wood. of Dexter, n. Y. guest.
The loss on the hotel exceeds $125, 900. 1t
cost $4,000. The furniture was all de-
stroyed. Considerable loss is sustained by
tho American Express company in its build
ing and in the express matter, adjoining
the hotel.
The individual inmates Of the hotel lost
heavily in personal effects.
It is probable that the loss of life will not
exceed eight persons-three guests and five
servants. Thirty persons were severely in
iured.
At three O'Clock this afternoon the super
intendent Of public works ordered the men
engaged in exploring the ruins to stop
work, as all the missing had been account.
cd for.