Alpena argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1893-1909, 1893-09-20

instant, linstinctively smut my eyes
and cast down my head. | was re-
called from this state of anguish by
the glare of bursting flames, which,
having u new free vent, shot up as
from volcano, lighting up my
copper house, till it shone like gold
itself. | bethought me once more
how to escape. ] made kind of
rope of my clothes, and fixing a
brick at one end, | threw it out Of
the opening, in the belief it would
catch into some point over the edge
of the opening to enable one to
mount by it. Vain hope! The
edge of the opening was OH level
with the mason work surrounding
it. | cried aloud in the hope of be-
ing heard. No answer came. |
raped with brick against the re-
sounding walls of my prison, but
the noise, which at any other time
would have walked half the neigh
borhood, was drowned in the greater
noise without. | endeavored to re-
sign myself with patience till the
extinguishment of the fire. Then
the idea struck me that perhaps |
might be heard by calling through
the spout, by which the boiler was
emptied, pipe large enough to ad-
NIT mans arm. This hole was at
the bottom of the boiler. | stopped
down to put my mouth to the orifice.
My hands were covered with wet
gloves, so that it was not until |
put my lips to the metal that ] dis
covered frightful truth-the cop
per was so hot that | could not
touch it. | jumped up hastily, |
made incredible efforts to climb-to
leap out. | might as well have
tried to scale the heavens. | cried,
| bawled out for help till was
hoarse. The kissing of the flames
alone answered my ejaculation.
| seated myself upon the heap OF
rubbish. | put my hand to my
forhead; it was covered with a
cold sweat. | took from my pocket
my little thermometer, Ihad to regu.
late the bath of my patient. |
stood at 40 degrees. | placed the
ball in contact with the copper sides
of the boiler; the murcury rose
with such rapldity that | feared the
tube would burst. Then | remained
some time in state of stupor. My
courage abandoned me, as thu
thought crossed me, of the torment'
for which | was reserved, when tn,
copper attained red heat, which
had no reason to fear would be tin,
case. At length | tried to convinc,
myself that it was heated from the
fire above, which would soon dimin
ish, and, as hoped, the boiler would
then cool. But, alas! the continued
rise of the mercury dissipated tha
feeble hope. / then tried to calcu
late at what temperature the meta
must arrive before the air around
me should become heated to 12(
degrees, which thought might
support without death. But my
head became so confused that
could not follow up my inquiries
These efforts, however, served t.
preserve my presence of mind;
could even take notes. In my
pocket found my memorandum
book and a piece of cord. The fol
lowing | wrote on a leaf from my
book, and attached it to a brick, ant
threw it out Of the boiler.
IL am DIR. Harris. Whoever find
the paper, let him come to the boilel
in the new building, where l an
burning to death. Bring a ladder
with you. Half-past twelve. Quick
Hasten!'
This and two others | had thrown
out in the same manner.
MY will is in the left-hant
drawer of my book case. wisl
George Nichols to have my papers
Those which relate to the affair o
s. ] wish destroyed. My we
clothes produce around me a clout
Of steam. Thermometer at so de
grees.
"26 minutes before one. The al
is suffocating. / am wet with per
spiration. | will write as long as
can.
"15 minutes before one. Their
mometer 55 degrees. My clothe
are now as dry as finder.
70 minutes past one. Thermom
eter II degrees. | have taken of
my two coats, which / hold abov,
my head. The outer gives to tn
inner air an agitation which make
the heat insupportable.
"8 minutes past one. Thermom
eter 81 degrees. My watch burns
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