Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-12-10
LOUlSylLLES DAY OF HORRORS.
Two Fires Attended by Shocking
Loss of Life.

Ten People Burned to Death Many
Others Fatally Injured Explosion in "a
Business Block - Girls Jumping for
Their Lives.
Associated Press Dispatch nv Special wirss
LOUISVILLE, Dec. 9.-While the firemcn
were raking away the ruins of the Boon
Paper Company, at $50 this morning,
there came the sound Of a terrific ex-
plosion in the building on the esst Of
them. That was the BaInbergcr, Strong &
Co. building, four stories high. On the
shot out through the roof Fire must
have been smouldering for several hours
in the cellars, and when each
OF the four stories had become
filled with heated air and smoke, an explo-
sion followed and the building was one
mass OF flames. Before the fire could be
extingushed il had done $4,000 damages;
nearly covered by insurance.
A number OF firemcn and hook and ladder
men were caught under the falling walls
Hamburger. Strong & Companys building.
Fire Chief Hughes and Captain Weather.
ford were injured. Four dead fireman lay
under the walls and four others are badly
hurt.
At o'clock another fatal fire was raging
in +. A. Mem & Co.'S wholesale candy
and fancy grocery house, a square from
the Boon Paper Companys building,
The origin of the fire is a mystery, Forty
girls were at work on the fourth floor, and
all were not able to escape. The fire was
out at II o'clock, and the work of taking
out the bodies began.
The bodies of six girls have already been
taken out. They are burned beyond
identity. G. 4. Mem, brother Of the
senior member of the firm, Is supposed tC
have been burned to death.
The fire cut off the escape by the stair
way leading to the fourth floor, where the
girls were at work, many jumped from
the windows to second story projecting
and escaped with broken limbs and bruised
bodies. Others got out unhurt.
The fire originating in the Boon Paper
Company's building was supposed to bt
fully extinquished little after O'Clock
last night and later all the engines wer,
withdrawn. The ladder men were the
only men left
Going to the fire No. IL engine ran int
the pavement at Twelfth aud broadway
throwing off Engineer jim Nuttall, hurt
ing his back and probably Gripping him
for life. Pat Shea, Of the No. Hook AND
Ladder Company, was at work on III,
building occupied by Frank \. Mem &
Co.. and started to fall but grabbed al III,
broken skylight. lie saved himself from
probably fatal plunge, but nearly severe
| his hand from his arm at the wrist.
| In the face Of these disasters and terror,
the fremen stood bravely to work, nov
leaders took the places Of those removed
| The water tower was manned and dozei
streams brought to bear on the flames.
Within half an hour the fire was undel
control, but within this time half scor,
\ Of lives were sacrificed.
Of the 40 girls two escaped at the COS
Of grave wounds. Some of those VIII,
escaped did 50 by leapilg from the rea
story the roof the Of store, the store bein,
only two stories high in the back
Great confusion exists. Main street
where the principal wholesale traffic o
the city goes on, is blocked and the bust
ness almost at standstill. The loss OF
Mem & Co.'S building and stock is place.
Ut $4,000, and the total loss will be nearl;
$4,000.
The bodies Of the girls were removed a
soon as possible TO the nearest undertak
ing establishments.