The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-04-26
PENNEDINAF IERYFURNACE
Two Janitors Burned to Death in the
First RegimentArmory at Chicago.
Two Badly Scorched Electric Linemen Taken
from o lettering wsll-The Building and
Contents, Worth $215. GOO, Destroyed.

SttCAOO, ADLll <O.-1no 10 osuiolJ "a
the First Regiment Illinois National Guard
was destroyed by fire this morning. Two
men persisted in the flames, and two others
were rescued by the heroism of the fire.
men. butnotu until they were badly injured.
The dead are Harry johnson and Walter
Williams. colored j~anItors, who slept in
the building. The injured are L. w. Lat
tau and Christopher Virgins. electric-light
linemen, both burned about the back and
shoulders The loss TO property is placed
at about s215, 900. which Is very made
quateiy covered by insurance. This an
cludes the loss of $4,000 on the building
and the scenery of the Trocadera concert
troupe, the arms n accoutrements, the
dress and service uniforms and the hand
some furnishings of the various First Regi-
msnt militia companies.
The fire started in the kitchen of the
armory IN the second story and worked it's
way around the gallery to the north before
it was discovered. When the engines ar
rived the firemen found all the entrances
barred by the blank walls of masonry and
the huge iron barred ssllypOrt on Michigan
avenue. The building was constructed to
Withstand q siege. and events showed 1t
was admirably adapted for the purpose.
with as little food for flames it would have
been easily ex%tlngnlshed. AS it was there
was little nance to fight it.
The death of those In the building was
attended by particularly narrowing cir
cumstances. They reached the great door
in safety while the fire was spreading
within. There seemed no danger, and
escape was apparently certain. They at
the center of the door. and then, for the
first time. tho perilous situation dawned
upon them. The wicket was locked. and
four inches of solid oak, boited and
barred with huge steel looks, stood
between them and escape. Gradually
the fire spread behind them. The
western galleries were all ablaze,
and the fames were spreading rapidly
along the north side and approaching the
spot where the men were now fraEtically
beating on the doors and vainly endeavor-
idg to force them open. The crowd outside
heard their frantp appeals for aid. and an
effort was made to batter in the doors. but
the stout oak was too well braoed. The
while the crowd outside was engaged in
tie fruitless attempt the cries of those en-
trapped ceased. and at the same instant
the north wall and the roof seemed TO sep
and with o crash the roof and the top of
the wall fell in. while In the increased
draft the flames spread with redoubled
fury. and the building was nothing but q
furnace.
While the unfortunate men were caught
and burned at the only possible street exit
another stirring scene was being enacted
but . few feet away. Christopher Virgins
and L. w. Lattau. electric hnemen In the
employ of the Trooadero management: were
asleep IN the third story of the building.
They were aroused only when the flames
and smoke were close upon them.
They attempted to reach the stairway
to the 3oor below, but 1t was
In oOA s,n nnI1 Thta fnAH nnvad
their lives and prevented their sharing the
fate of the men at the front door. Unable
TO pass the stairway the two men rushed to
the Michigan-avenue side or the building
and as the flames followed them they
opened the window and stood on the sill.
their forms clearly outlined to the crowd
against the background of the fire aud
smoke. At this moment there was a ter.
f,iio explosion s,6ls IT. as ,, the lire reached ,sa
magazine. The walls were shaken,
to crumble. The north and south walls
fell for some distance from the top, the
roof went in. and the death knell of those
at the doorway was sounded. 1t seemed
as thong the men at the window must be
swept away with q crash, but at ter the
dust cleared away they were seen still
| clinging there. The wall wa tottering,
but at Marshal Townsend's order the hook
and ladder companies ran MP their lsdders,
and, Selling the f~ainting men. bore them
to the ground badly burned, but without
mortal injuries.
Among the furnishings destroy ed in the
armory was Q bas-reiief of Lees surrender
in bronze. worth over 1000. This, together
with the regimental flags. etc., were de-
stroyed. Tho Armstrong trophy. q silver
cup. won by the regiments best rife
shooters in com petition last fail. and the
silver cup won by the drum corps in nation
al competition, were both destroyed. 1t is
calculated that the total loss on the private
property In the different officers rooms will
reach nearly 10000. The insurance will
be about one-tenth. The regiment also
loses q $4,000 Calling gun. with sabres.
cartridge boxes and revolvers. $50 rifles.
500 b~aversacks, 800 lankets and 500 sets of
Announcements valued at about $50. 600.