The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1893-07-19

teen-foot ladder was placed from the
first section of the tower to the land
ing on which the men were, but no one
thought of running big ladder from
the main roof to the tower so as to con-
meet with the smaller ladder. Without
a thought of the fate which was soon
to overtake them, the thirty odd men
outside the tower were at work on the
east and south sides. All this time the
flames were burning through the larger
section of the tower beneath them.
The first intimation of danger came to
the victims when smoke appeared
under them, and as the wind blew it
into their faces they retreated to the
north side Of the tower with the eXcep-
tion of one man, a painter, who slid
down the hose which had been brought
up to the south side of the tower.
1t seemed as If the victims changed
positions because they feared flames
would soon follow the smoke which
they saw. Death quickly came to put
an end to suspense and agony. The
flames had been devouring five feet Of
frame work which surrounded the cast
iron shaft that pierced the tower be-
low the men. Quick as flash, like a
ball of molten gold, flames burst
through the square tower just under
meath the imprisoned men on all sides.
A few seconds the imprisoned ones felt
the scorching fire coming, and with
one impulse Of self-preservation the
men moved quickly to where the ropes
were attached at the northwest corner.
They could not look down and see
the flames because of the projecting
cornices, but they knew where the
ropes were. There they stood huddled
together, all preparing to save them
selves If they could. The men nearest
the rope grasped it and descended. But
for only dozen feet. The flames had
no mercy, the rope was burned in two
and with feet downward, the first VIC
tim shot through the air to the main
roof. He turned partly over before he
struck and bounded up before lying as
If dead. Agreat cry of anguish and fear
came up from thousands on the ground
and at other points where the first OF
those awful leaps and falls could be
seen. Strong men wept and became
hysterical. They cried aloud for God
to save those poor souls penned be-
tween flames.
They got on their knees and prayed to
God that all might not perish. Women
could be seen everywhere fainting,
wringing their hands and crying hys-
terically at the sickening scene. But
worse was to follow worse. No sooner
had one man struck the roof than an
other leaped from the tower before the
Mortified gaze of the spectators. His
body kept straight, feet down, until
near the roof when he turned somer-
sault, and second cry OF horror came
from thousands of throats. The two
ropes on the north side of the tower
were almost useless for the saving Of
life, yet for the first possession of the
corner one at least ten fought like saw
age beasts
The unfortunate fellows, who re-
manned huddled together on the north
side Of the cupola, were doomed. 1t
was beyond the reach of any of the
ladders and the crowd stood horror
and helpless to rescue the
helpless crew. The flames ran higher
and higher until the men were almost
from view. At this moment
one of the firemen sprang far out into
the air and was dashed TO pieces on the
roof fully eighty feet below. Another
and another followed his example,
crazed by the awful heat, and doubt
less preferring TO be killed by fall than
burned to death. When five had
jumped the upper portion Of the cupola
gave way and the remaining firemen
were swallowed up in the seething
mass Of burning timbcrs.
As soon as the ruins were cooled suf-
iciently by the fremen the work of
searching for bodies began. The first
body was taken from the smoking mass
about $3.50. II was cvidentally fire.
man, as blue shirt covered the trunk,
which was all that was found Of the
unfortunate. a short time later two
more were taken from the ruins. Under
,ne of the bodies was found broken
,word-a mute informer Of its wearer's |
dentity-a Columbian guard. The
'ther body was unrecognizable as II
vas charred 10 n cinder. Two NOR. |
bundles OF flesh were discovered at |
intervals about o'clock and one more
1t 0:40. In all six bodies, horribly
burned, were taken out by 10 o'clock,
when operations were stopped for the
light on account of the risk in work.
ng under beams and iron columns and
he absence Of light.
When the extent of the calamity was
Snown a subscription was at onoe
tarted for the benefit Of the families
Il the dead iremen. A huge box
yuarded by some guards was placed In
ront Of the Philadelphia cafe, near
he burned structure, and the coin and
ills were soon fairly showered into the
eceptacle by thousands Of people, who
anne from all directions TO pay their
in as soon as II was
,nown.
Capt. Bert Page, Of engine No. 8, is
Missing and is supposed to have per-
shed. Capt Robert c. Palmer, Of
ruck No. 8, Midway Plaisanoe, was
arly at the fire. He saw all the men
n the tower landing and is positive
here were twenty-six. OF those who
ell or jumped or tried to slide down
he ropes and hose only two escaped
cath. He saw one guard 90 down into
he furnace.