Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-01-28
women ', .11, and M! girls, who clung to the win

| uoW-oiils WITH lnelr Dure fingers.
Strong arms were soon to the rescue. and
words or encouragement were spoken TO
those above. Ladders were raised to the
windows, and the work of rescuing those
in the rear end of the building began. 1t
was here that the flames ragged most furi-
ously, and it was necessary TO get the en-
dangered inmates down without delay.
In very few. minutes all those who had
been seen at the windows when the deDart-
ment first arrived had been rescued but
while the. work was going on one or two
women, driven to desperation by the fierce
neat, leaped to the ground, possibly to re-
ceiye injuries from which they cannot re-
cover. There were volunteers by the hun
| dreds-brave men who risked their lives
time and time again in the brief space of
| 10 minutes to save the lives of poor Grip
pied children who would arouse pity In
the human breast at any time, but the
sight OF whom in the midst of last nights
iire caused the strong man to shudder and
grow sick at heart. Tenderly the rescued
were carried to some temporary refuge and
placed under the care of kind hands, where
the best physicians of the city were ready
| to lend their aid
Just as the department arrived on the
scene woman appeared at third story
window. The flames within made q
| frightful background and her form stood
out in bold relief. She wrung her hands
and screamed for help, while the smoke
rolled in angry black wreaths about her.
| Chief Webster at once realized her critical
| condition and shouted at the TOP of his
voice, Hold on, hold, don't jump. For
Gods sake don't jump; we'll get you in
| moment"
A savage roar Of the flames and a crealk-
ing, crashing sound was the only reply
that came back to him, and scarcely had
the words Of appeal left his lips when the
woman, with q Shrek of agony, leaped
into space. With dishevelled hair the
feminine form descended rapidly, the
bursts of flames displaying the deathly
pallor which overspread her face. The
body struck the stone tagging but few
feet from where the fire chief stood, and
was picked up in the pangs of death and
removed across the way.
At a window on the upper floor panic
stricken mother was seen struggling to
throw open the window. In one arm she
clasped her child which was mere in
FAINT. She clutched at the window casing,
and finally succeeded, after frantic efforts,
in reaching the air and received relief from
the stilling smoke and death dealing flames
within. Her screams fell upon the ears of
thousands of helpless spectators. No lad
ders were at hand and her pitiful appeal
went unheeded. Her face was deathly pale
and her form partially nude. The flames
were closing i'll abont her and she looked
back into the furnace of death, then down
to the pavement below as il choosing be-
tween two things, either Of which seemed
certain death. Realizing finally that the
end was at hand she clasped the babe to
her breast, tossed the precious load out of
the window and gave her life to the flames
within. 1t would have been n pleasing
thought to her to know before expiring
the fortune that befell her offspring.
Pipeman OBrien had watched the heart
rendng scene from below, and as the
child left the arms of its mother he
planted himself firmly with outstretched
arms underneath the window. The baby,
in the air and tumbled into o. Briens arms,
unhurt by the fall-a life saved. a few
moments later 1t was smiling, seemingly
unconscious Of the surroundings.
The heroism of fireman John Loucks of
chemical company No. 2, will long be re-
nembered. While the flames were shoot
ing In forked tongues from the windows
facing on Illinois street, he assembled the
extension ladder to the upper floor. As he
reached the window-sill he was met by
tiremen Webber Robinson who had pushed
his way through the smothering smoke
with child in his arms.
Take this baby, for Gods sake Loucks,
and let me BREATHE" said Robinson, as he
pushed his head into the open air.
tnt llNlIlR anu
started downward. He had descended but
a few feet when the brave fellow missed
his footing and fell head foremost, his leg
catching in the rungs of the ladder and
doubtless saving his life. He chung to the
child pluckily, although his injury was
a painful one, his limb being broken. As
he hung there the dense mass of people
below turned away from the awful scene,
thinking that Loucks would perhaps be
obliged to loosen his grasp from weakness.
Not SO, however. He called for assistance
and in o twinkling he and the child were
carried safely to the ground and Loucks
was tenderly helped to IN ambulance,
which conveyed him to his home.
Fireman Sim Hoyle of headquarters,
entered the burning building to help
rescue the inmates. He found two women
who were crying for help. Hoyle seized
both and started for the window When
he reached 1t ladder was near him, bul a
few feet to one side. The flames and smoke
were rapidly enveloping the brave fireman
and his burdens.
Quickly Hoyle pushed one woman out
of the window and held her with his teeth
by her night clothes. He held the other
woman inside the room, hung himself out
and drew the ladder to him with his foot
and descended safely with the women.
H.. l.t : Il