Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1893-07-15
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TIE BURNING TOWER.

THE BURNING TOWER
Then shrek of horror went up from
the spectators. Strong men turned
their heads away and women tainted by
the score. The crowd was SO dense that
escape was impossible. 'rj ,-i ..
Bid Good-by on the Ledge.
Closer and closer together huddled
the men on that narrow wooden ledge
that stood between them and death.
They knew that there was little
chance of escape and with the cour-
age of true heroes they resolved
to meet it like brave men. One
poor fellow forced his way through
the little band of comrades, but
his was no selfish object. He grasped
one of them by the hand, threw his
arms around his neck, and there they
said good-by to one another. The ex-
ample was infectious, farewells We're
said, and messages to be delivere if
one or the other escaped were given.
Tho Doomed Men Jumped.
Suddenly figure shot out from the
ledge and descended through flame and
smoke to the roof. But that wooden
affair proved no barrier to the poor
fellows progress, and through it he
went into the pit of fire below. Jump
| ing or roasting to death was the only al
formative now, and second man took
the latter chance. He did not fall as
the first, feet downward, but COM
menced to turn and turn, striking on
his head and being killed Immediately.
| The fate of the two who jumped was so
awful that the survivors hesitated, and
the next man seized the piece of rope
that was burning shorter and shorter
every minute. He slid down, let go as
he reached the burning end and dropped.
He fell into pit of fire, and his com
rades on the roof, who had taken of
coats, vests and even trousers to form
nets to break the falls, We're driven
away by the rapidly encroaching flames.
Went Down with the Tower.
Down the doomed men jumped one
by one, and soon there We're only two
men left on that fire-encircled plat.
form. Capt Fitzpatrick, who had di
rected the movements of the men,
sought to induce his companion to &C
down first, but he would not. Every
second was precious. and moments de
lay meant certain death. The captain
seized the rope, which by this time was
only 20 feet long. and shot downward
As he released his hold he gave spring
to the north and managed to throw
himself beyond the flames, The las
man sought to follow his example, but
just as his hands left the burning corC
the entire tower wavered in the wine
and fell with crash, carrying hin
downward with the fall.
Rush to Fitzpatrick's Rescue.
Chief Murphy had been standing OF
driven back by the flames and had jus
patrick fell. He shouted to II
j. Kennedy, captain of com
pany ., and Hans Rehfeldt, o
the hook and ladder company, ant
together the three started up th,
ladder The firemen on the groun
played stream OF water around tn
men as they went up, nearing tn
flame. Murphy was the first to clam
ber on the roof closely followed b
Kennedy and Rehfeldt The chief too
a small piece of rope, with which h
! securely fastened the ladder to the roo
Then. in company with his men, he ra
to where Fitzpatrick'lay. Raising tn
wounded man to his feet the
tied n line securely aronnd his bod
, Just under his arms and carefully an
> slowly lowered him to the GROUND
where willing hands were in waitin
e for the unfortunate Fitzpatrick wa
F. placed in an ambulance and drive
i with all speed to the Emergency no;
: pital The three brave men then cam
down the ladder and it seemed as
" they We're completely engulfed
y y flame.
d Hard Fire to Fight.
e With the collapse of the tower I'll
) flames burst forth from every part {
S the building with u fury that baiiled III
e efforts of the firemen. The men worke
It with tears streaming down their fac'