Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-07-13
TINE CHICAGO HORROR.
Il Was Vastly More Serious Than a Firsi
Reported.

CHICAGO, July Ia-Bodies of Is VIC
tins OF the exposition fire have been re-
covered The fearful heat of the ruins
made the search slow and perilous. 1t is
probable that the worst will not be known
until tomorrow The electic company had
building
One thing seems quite evident, and that
is that the bodies discovered are not the
remains of firemen. The locality in which
they were found seems to preclude this
possibility All the tiremen who lost their
lives were huddled up in one place III the
dreadful firetrap at the top of the shaft,
and as they fell victims one by one to the
flames their bodies naturally fell some
where within the small circle surrounding
the smokestack.
The bodies recovered were evidently not
the remains of any who jumped or fell
from the shaft, because they were found
at a somewhat remote distance from this
point and under mass of steampipe and
machinery that
Must Have Fallen From Above.
On one of the bodies was found leather
belt to which was attached pair OF steel
pinchers, thus practically proving the re-
mains to be those of lineman. The dis
covery gave fresh color to the fearful APP
prehension that the firemen were by no
means the only ones who fell victims to
the flames.
The Columbian guards, who were Oh
duty at the scene of the disaster, have
constantly maintained that several
Worlds fair visitors and electrical men
aud other workmcn were caught in the
flames, and the unexpected discovery OF
the bodies under the ruins and the fact
that one is uu ioubtedly that of a lineman.
gives credeuce To their declarations. Ger
tain it is there were
Numerous Visitors and Workmcn
Ia the building at the time the fire broke
ont, and the statements of the guards that
many of these were caught in the flames
re received so seriously that it was de-
cided "A minute examination foot by foot
Of the pyramid of ruins and debris should
be made.
The electric light company had mum
Der Of men in the lower part of the build
ing stringing wires at the time the fire
broke out and several of these are missing
Four Columbian guards were unaccounted
for yesterday and their companions are
naturally very soicitous as to their where
abouts.
Placing the Blame.
The assertion is general that the Worlds
fair management is not wholly without
blame for the disaster. Time and time
again, il is said, word was sent to the
council of administration of the danger
Gus condition Of the cold storage ware
house, but they paid no heed to it.
a few weeks ago the officials issued an
order withdrawing the guards on duty
there, as the company operating the ware
house refused to pay for them. Colonel
Rice objected seriously to this move and
went before tue counsel of administration
and told that body the building was "A fire
trap and should not he left unprotected.
The council, it is alleged, paid no heed to
his warning but went ahead and with
drew the guards.
Then Marshal Murphy made full re
port of the dangerous manner in which
the structure was built. He told them how
it endangered the Worlds fair buildings.
If a fire should break out in the VII, mouse
with strong west or south winds, it was
liable to
Sweep Over the Entire White City.
This undoubtedly would have been the
case had the wind not been from the
northeast.
The inquest on the victims of the fire
has begun. The scene at the morgue,
where the inquest was in progress was a
horrible one.
After the jury had viewed the bodies
Of the victims, Coroner McHale decided TO
adjourn the inquest until tomorrow.
Il want to have time" said he, 80 pre-.
pare for thorough investigation. This is
= serious matter, and / shall call upon
Chief of Construction Burnham of the
Worlds fair and Fire Chief Sweeney of
the Chicago fire department to he in at
tendance for examination. The plans Of
construction Of the cold storage ware
house will he brought before me-"
Eetter Late Than Never.
The city authorities will hear no obiec-
lions on the part Of the directors of the
expedition for II thorough inspection of the
Worlds fair buildings and the exercise of
such powers rs may he deemed necessary
or the safety Of the public and the fire.
men in particular. No conflict of author
'ty il looked Tor on the part of the city.
out If any is aroused the city will force
. he directors ID the exposition into court to
'ho'v that the city has general police iuris-
fiction Owe The grounds and the build
tugs