St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-01-27
A SCORCHING FIRE.
Half Million LOss-Thriliing Es-
capeS From Flames.

capeS from Flames.
COLUMBUS, o., Jan. 26.-The most
disastrous fire that Columbus has ever
experienced occurred this morning in
the large block of buildings at the north
east corner of Rich and High streets.
A small blaze started about 7:4O a. m.
and before noon the antire block, from
Rich street to Walnut and from High to
Wall had been Quilted by the flames
The blaze in It's iDciplency did not ap-
pear to amount to much, but it soon got
a good Roadway, and in an incred-
IDLY short time it was seen that
the buildings were doomed. The
large pressed-brick building on the
corner of Rich was the first to go. 1t
was entirely burned out, with all its
valuable contents, and the only portion
of the building left standing was the
front wall. The next building to go
was the Metropolitan opera house
building. There were number of
thrilling and hairbreadth escapes. and
with the large force of women
employed about the building it
is miraculous that the death roll
does not mount up high. A shoe
factory employed about 204 persons:
1872 of these were girls, 60 men, and II
boys. The factory occupied three
floors. The spectacle of girls going
down the fire ladders and escapes
with aprons over their heads was one of
the thrilling SpectacleS that caused the
hearts of men to stand still. These vic
tins were driven out of the building
by the fierce flames, and had hot even
time to get any of their trappings, the
fire spreading so rapidly.
1t is reported that Katie Trott jumped
through the window on the first floor
and broke both her limbs. Louise Ault
and - Sauerfrey had a thrilling ex-
perience in being saved from the flames
They found the hall full of smoke and
flames, through which they had to go,
and fire shot out of the access to
the stairway, and it is reported
that Miss Ault sprang through the
flames, while her companion jumped
through window on the north side of
the building. A woman from the upper
floor made her way to the lower part of
the factory building and there became
Frustrated from the smoke and heat.
Very soon after the fire began to
pour out from the fourth floor of the
Opera House block, the great crowd of
spectators were Mortified by the sight
of woman, with babe in her arms,
stepping out of fourth story
window onto the fire escape. She
gesticulated wildly for a moment,
then turned and disappeared with
in, evidently giving up in despair of
saving herself in so dangerous man
ner. The officers rushed up the stair
way. through the binding smoke and
flames, and in few moments were seen
again with the woman and child. When
the immense crowd saw that they were
saved a mighty cheer went up from
those who had held their breath.
When the northeast corner of
the block was reached, and
flames were pouring forth from the
upper windows, rapid and continued
series of explosions, resembling the dis
charge of musketry, was heard. 1t was
supposed to have been occasiontd by
boxes of cannon crackers stored away
The opera house was to have been oc-
cupied by MOdjeska this evening and
the seating of the capacity had been en-
tirely sold.
AT noon nothing but the bare walls of
the buildings, occupying a full half
block, were standing. The total damage
will be about $500, 00.with an in
surance Of S30O.O09. All the people
were taken from the building without
injury, though there were some
narrow and thrilling escapes.
The fremen and others carried
several children from the top floor down
the fire escapes in almost nude condl-
tons and delivered them 10 places of
safety. One man, name not learned.
was slightly injured by brick falling
on his head. The weather was cold and
crisp and the water thrown by the de-
partment froZe on the walls of the
buildings, making the scene a most
deSolate one.