The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-07-11


unfortunate men imprisoned on the bal
cony. iO feet from the ground. All the
ropes hanging from the tower burned
ssay. One hose vishatood the heat.
however. and John Davis caught
noto OF II and aid down TO the
nam root, where he tainted. HIS
lace and hands were terribly burned BY
sna flames which enveloped him as he
came down. He was taken TO the hospital
and physicians say he will recover. Two
OF has fellow Eremen attempted to follow
him, but before they were halfway down
the hose gave way and they dropped into
the seething mass Of fire and were lost.
Another man started down portion of =
rope hanging from the tower. but it gave
way and be fell. striking on his head, and
was instantly killed. There now remained,
according to the count Of various spectators.
twenty-five to thirty men ON the tower.
They we're hopelessly beyond human helm.
the longest ladder falling snort by fully
thirty feet. At this terrible moment Capt.
fIxpafrick's tall form appeared in front of
the men Who were huddled together on
the narrow balcony. He seemed TO be
addressing his brave fellows. As he ceased
speaking. one Of the men crcpt around the
burning balcony and returned moment
later with rope. 1t was hastily fastened
TO the railing around the balcony and
thrown to the roof Fitzpatrick was seen
70 point to IL, and one Of the men started
to slide down, but before he was half way
the cruel flames rolled up and he was
swallowed in the awful volcano. Another
tried 1t and met the same fate. One after
another tve Of tine men at this point
sprang from the balcony to the roof. If
any survived tho awful leap they were
burned to death afterwards. The
rope burned oil about half way
down, but Fitzpatrick. seeing the men
jumping to their doom, seized the strand
and started down. He dropped from the
end OF the rope and caught on q ladder,
which was raised To within twenty feet of
1t. Fire Marshal Murphy, who was on
the roof. sprang forward and soon reached
Fitzpatrick. A shout of admiration and
encouragement went up. The heroic
marshal started back with his friend but
was enveloped in flames. With the energy
OF despair he clutched his comrade and
slid down tho ladder. Both Murphy and
Fitzpatrick were unconscious when picked
up. The former, however, was not seri-
ously hurt, but Fitzpatrick 10 not expected
to survive the night Scarcely twenty.
i've minutes had elapsed since tho
fire was discovered, but SO rapid
had been its progress that the en-
tire tower buried away and fell
with an awful crash, carrying with
it tho unfortunates who were left on
the balcony and several fremen who were
playing on the flames with . hose from
the roof The firemen fed from the roof.
One them picked up the mnngled form Of
one of the unfortunates who had jumped
from the balcony. and dropped il to the
ground, thus saving 1t from cremation.
Seeing that it was q HOPELESS task to save
the building, and as all who escaped alive
had left It. the remaining fremen di-
rected their efforts to keep the flames
from spreading further. The tire had al
ready reached tho Worlds fair stables,
and the roofs Of several hotels across Stony
Island avenue, just ontside the grounds,
were ON FIRE. The hotels were saved with
difficulty, but tho stables wefs destroyed.
Less than two hours after the fire started
the cold storage warehouse was smoking
ruins.
A few weeks ago Marshal Murphy in
spected the burned building and reported
that itMas extremely unsafe. On account
of his report the insurance companies can
celed all risks on 1t, 90 the loss YVES COM
plete.
President Higginbotham said the coun.
Gil Of administration had never advised
the construction Of the tower, as it was
hazardous. I'VE are all overwhelmed by
the awful suddenness and horror Of the
affair."" he said. ''but suppose it
will be conceded that the sxposi-
ton is innocent from blame in
the 6re" When the fire broke out
there were . large number of visitors in
tho building looking at the ice machines
and other exhibits. When the fremcn
rushed in there was wild rush for the
stairways and exits. In the excitement
q number Of people were thrown
down and badly bruised. though as
far as known mono were seriously
injured. 1t is reported by some
Columbian guards that . number Of
women lost their lives in the building.
The firemen discredit the story, but to-
night iady's watch was found on body
30 badly burned that it was impossible to
tell whether it was that Of . man or .
woman.
A message OF sympathy from chiefs Of
fire departments all over the country has
been received by Chief Swenie. Mayor
Harrison was almost overcome when he
heard Of tho calamity. but finally said:
Well, this settled one thing. The city Of Chi.
chago 10 going to assume control over the fair
buildings 90 far a. protecting lives 10 concerned,
and ss once Tomorrow morning I will see that
ail buildings are carefully inspected and
wherever changes necessary for the safety OF the
people arc found advisable, they must be made.
These things mass % looked tnto aud they will
il y little late now, but tie city will take no
more chancea
A relief fund was started by the council
of administration ~ soon as the extent Of
the disaster was known and in less than
thirty minutes g. 90 was subscribed and
contributions continue to pour iny
The list Of the dead, missing and injured
il published as far as known up to II
O'Clock. The work at the burned building
/, being carried on in the darkness owing
to the destruction Of the electric light
wires. Six bodies burned beyond recog-
milton we're taken from the debris after
O'Clock.
Buffalo Ometal Embesxies $50, 600.
BurrAro. n. ". July io.-Secretary
Van Brocklin, of the board Of fire COM
missioners. was arrested this afternoon,
charged with ernbezxling . sum said to be
over 5000 There are ten names on the
pay roll on which Van Brocklin has been
drawing salary.
Cleveland Goes Sailing.
BuzzaRp's BAY. July lo-Presidens