The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-10-31
sAvANNAHIANs IN TIE FIRE.
Capt. Brooks and II. R. Altick Nearly
Caught in the Macon Disasters

| Capt. Brooks and II. R. Altick Nearly
Caught in the Macon Disasters
| Capt. Jordan F. Brooks and Mr.. Henry
r. Altick Of this city were passengers on
the burned sleeper in the Macon depot
Thursday morning, and had narrow escapes.
Capt. BROOKS went through to Columbus
and Mr.. Altick returned home yesterday.
In escaping from the burning depot and car
the soles OF his feet and his fingers were
burned. In consequence his walk is accom-
panied by a very perceptiole limp.
1t is customary to let the occupants of the
Savannah sleepers remain undlsturbed upon
their arrival in Macon until about 8 o'clock
in the morning because the train arrives
about o'clock. Mr.. Altick says he was
awakened about o'clock by a roaring
noise, but he thought it came from one of
the cos!-burning engines. He listened
few minutes and noticed that the noise was
increasing. Suddenly he heard the cry Of
fire. and. sprInging from his berth, looked
cut the window.
The front Of the depot was furiously
burning, and the flames had already COM
municated to the car. Mr.. Altick gave the
rushed in and yelled: Get out as quickly
as possible, the depot is atiren
In moment everything was confusion
Men came tumbling out OF their hunks in
every direction, and grabbing for whatever
baggage was close at hand, together with
their clothes, made break for the entrance.
There was no TINA for dressing and the
passengers rushed out into the car shed in
their night clothes and bare feet
The floor. Mr.. Altick said, was already
hot, and the passengers feet were blistered.
There was no time TO think of this, though:
the all important idea OF every one was to
get out Of the doomed building. The flames
were already creeping along the rafters
under the roof, and the passengers hadn't
been outside five minutes before the roof
fell in.
They all congregated shiveringly under the
large tree on the Poplar street side of the
depot and dressed themselves. After get.
ting on their clothes they began balancing
up 70 find out their losses.
Everybody was ont something in the way
OF apparel and baggage Mr.. AItick left
his shirt behind, Others left their hats, shoes
and valises, and one travelling man had for
gotten his pocketbook and didn't have
enough money to get a breakfast.
About 800 pieces OF baggage were burned
in the car.
After the fright was over Mr.. Altick said
the passengers began to look at the ludi-
crous side of the case, and many a hearty
laugh was INDUCED in by one at the expense
OF the other. Some had forgotten their
shoes altogether and had TO knock around
the cold streets barefooted until the shoe
stores opened up. Others had left their
hats behind, while others still had forgot
ten their coats and vests. One
man had grabbed up two left foot
shoes in his hurry out Of the car
and had to content himself with one shoe
for several hours Mr. Altick said it was
the mario west escape he had ever had, and
one ot the hveliest foot races he had been
engaged in. He is perfectly satisfied with
his experience, and is not anxious for
repetition by any means.