The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-02-08

lecting his yaiuabIes he ESCAPED out OF the
window down the rope. In descending
the flames from the second story window
burned his hands aud scorched his hair.
Mrs. T. Knapp, Of Chicago, had a room
on the fifth floor. she had presence Of
mind enough to wrap wet towel around
her head TO prevent being suffocated, went
TO her window and waited until rescued by
burly policeman.
Mrs. Kueper and daughter, of Fleming
ton, y. . occupied room on the third
floor front. They were taken from their
room down the ladder. They lost all
their clothing save night dresses which
they had on, and were cared for by Mrs. S.
knight, of West Fortieth street Mrs.
Kueper suffered from shock, and her long
black hair was snged by the flames which
burst over her head as she stepped on the
ladder. Mrs. knight dealt temporary hos
pitality and had no less than nine home
less people there at enc time. Among
those who accepted of her hospitality was
young man named Levy, who slid down
rope tearing his ilesh to the bone.
These escapes occurred before the walls
OF the building fell, and while the fremen
were doing their utmost TO stop the prog
ress of flames which threatened to envelop
the adjoining buildings When the walls
fell people were seen at several widows on
the top floor CRYING 70. help, but they fell
back and we're soon buried in the ruins.
The flames of the burning building illu-
mined the sky for miles around, and drew
to the scene an immense throng Of people.
Fire lines were strictly drawn and main
tanned during the entire day, aud none
save persons authorized TO enter by reason
OF an official position were allowed within
the boundaries.
One of the most thrilling escapes was
that of young named j. Noonan, OF Jer-
sey City. Noonan was recently married
and had just returned from an extended
wedding trip. lie came to the city yester-
day TO celebrate the event with his friends,
and after night of it went to the Hotel
Royal and took q room on the fourth
floor. He was awakened by shouts of
fire. and looked about him for way of es-
cape. Flames filled the halls. and he went
to the window, swung himself from the
sill 10 the window below and from one
window to another until he reached the
ground.
The hotel was built over twenty-five
years ago. In 1852 it was remodeled and
an addition built Ola the south side. The
house was the home of many persons in
| the theatrical profession and was patron
! lied chiefly by transients. Many families.
however, made 1t their permanent place Of
residence.
After the fire had sufficiently cooled.
search was made for the dead, which was
at once rewarded by the finding of
charred body almost burned to crisp
| The remains were identified as those of
| Henry ]. Levy. The walls were in dan
| gerous condition, and it was deemed neces-
sary to pull them down before continuing
the search for the dead.
A force of 100 men will be put to work
early tomorrow morning clearing away
the debris
The loss on the hotel and furniture is
estimated at $780, The building was
owned by Hyman Israel, furniture
dealer on the Bowery.
At the morgue the same scenes were re-
enacted which charac terized the Park
Place disaster At s o'clock the first
dead wagon arrived from the scene of the
holocaust bringing four unknown bodies.
At 1915 o'clock the body of II. J. Levy,
travelling salesman, was brought in.
Miss Mamie Flaherty came with two
of her friends to inquire after
NItc lNelliS, Il CHdfuDcEilidlu WHO
she said had gone on the night watch and
was without doubt dead. Eliza Beady, of
40 Chambers street. came to inquire for
her sister Annie, employed at the hotel.
She failed TO find her, and left weeping
bitterly. Several persons called to see if
Mrs Van Norden was among those whose
bodies were recovered. She was the wife
of travelling salesman.
Al.
Royal, said today that he went to the
clerks desk about II 80 and ascertained
that all but four of the Ito rooms and
suites in the house were taken.
He estimated that there were
the house all told at that hour. lie
learned later, he said, that the other four
rooms were taken before | q. IN. He told
his experience as related and also various
incidents connected with the fire. Mr..
Meares says that when he reached the
street in half-dazed condition he realized
for the first time that his wife was still in
the room and ran frantically up and down
the street. No one was in sight. Over
head the flames were leaping from the ele-
vator cupola in great sheets. Suddenly the
engines began 20 dash up and then the air
distress. The inmates of the building had
suddenly awakened to q sense OF their
danger. Heads appeared at every window,
quickly followed by volumes of smoke and
tongues of flame. Amid n babel of voices
Meares detected a familiar cry. He APP
pealed 10 the foreman of the ladder truck
aud IN an instant the top of the ladder
rested upon the window ledge Putting
aside the fireman. the landlord scaled the
ladder himself He found he had mis-
taken the window but saved life. for he
took down a half-seuseiess white-robed
figure, and then turned the ladder till IL
stood beneath his wife's window. This
time n slender young man, stranger
was too quick for him. beating him 10 the
window by a half length Of the ladder.
Half way down either the young man
missed his footing or his strength gave
out, for he dropped Mrs. Meares. Half
Crazcd, the husband says he does not
know whether he fell or whether he
clam5ered down the ladder. but he started
20 ind his wlfe, when q big policeman
with q heavy black beard. whose name he
said lac would give = considerable sum TO
ascertain. stopped him and demanded to
know his business.
- am proprietor Of the ho;el, " he said.
"and looking Tor my wife" At this he
says, the officer shouted 70 Il fellow police
man: Here's the owner of the building;
don't yen think he'd better be looking
alter his house instead at has, wife" Al
THIS they laughed, and despite his urgent
eatgea;'cs dc vas not permitted 20 follow
Mrs. Mcarss. ana &c vas not untii an hour
later that he learned her fate. Meares
saw spectacle for twenty minutes
after he reached the street that was be-