The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-09-19
A HEAP OF CORPSES.
What a Policeman Stumbled on
at a Chicago Fire.
FIVE VICTIMS IN ONE ROOM.
A Four-Story Tenement Ablaxe in the
Early Morning-Escape Cut or and
Family Smothered or Drowned.

CHICAGO, Sept. 19-One of the most disastrous
fires that has visited this city for some time
started after O'Clock this morning in a four
story tenement on Sedgwick street. Although
the blaze lasted but ffty-fve min
utes, the loss of life made the trif-
ing damage to the property stand out insig-
nitcant in comparison. The basement of the
building and the lower floor were used as a bak-
cry by William Jaits. In the rear of his oven
room the fire started. In the upper stories OF
the building were five families, and
the scenes following the discovery
OF the fire were terrible to behold.
Within an incredibly short time men, women
and children in night clothes were hurrying
through the burning building. All egress
cut off in the rear, the fire had gained such
Roadway up the stairway. There was no fire.
escape, and the single flight of stairs in the
front of the building afforded little opportunity
for the people 10 save themselves. On the first
floor lived William Burrin, who was awakened
by heat and smoke. The partitions of his room
were already charred in places, and his escape
was almost miracle. He and his family got
safely out, though he was slightly burned about
the face
The dead are:
JOHN ScHALK.
B. IS. ScHALK.
JOHN SCHALK, aged IL
HENRY SCHALK, aged &
ANNA SCHALK, aged 10.
1t was on the second floor that the fire
did its worst work. Rooms were occupied
by Otto Hemming and wife, John Scnalk,
wife and two sons and two daughters.
Officer O'Neil broke into the rooms OF the
Schalk family, anu in short time Captain
0Connell and Fireman Fox came to his
assistance. O'Conneu helped Hemming escape
The Schalk rooms were filed with smoke,
and water stood upon the floor to
depth of eighteen inches. When Officer
ONeil entered he heard d weak cry
for help, and as he pushed his way into the
main room he stumbled over a body. Ii was
that of Cyuthina Schalk. When he picked her
up the girl swooned and was carried down a
ladder. Officer q Neil again pushed forward
and stumbled over the obstruction. 1t was
pile OF human corpses. In a heap were Mr.
schalk, his vile, two sons and one daughter.
Gated or drowned will probably always remain
a mystery. One or two other people were slightly
injured.
BELLAIRE, Nd, Sept. 1s.--The Pullet carriage
factory was burned today; loss, 100000.
JAMESTOWN, y. Oak, Sept. IS.-Fires In
stuttsman and Eddy counties have destroyed
more than 3l5 acres OF grain.
LISBON, y. D., sept. ia fire started myster-
iously on the prairie near Cramers farm, six
miles north OF here, today, and nearly $1,000
bushels OF wheat were destroyed. At latest re-
ports the fire was still raging
CUMBERLAND, Wis, Sept. 1s.-Forest fires are
raging In the country Immediately south of this
city, and a strong wind prevails. Several farm
houses and barns, two wood yards near the
Omaha track and large amount of other prom
erty was destroyed. The village of PerIey ia al.
most wiped out by the fire