The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-03-15
AN AWFUL SIGHT.
Many Killed and Injured Before the Eyes of
Muttitudrs.


Many Killed and Injured Before the Eyes of
Mu,titudrs.
The coHfagration as viewed from distance
vas grand. dense pail of black smoke COW
cred that section OF the city and ns darkness
came this was lighted up by the flames.
while occasional tongues Of fire and burning
smbers shot up voieano-liks into the ebony
mass.
In the immediate vicinity the scene was aw-
ful. While the Anes building was burning
there were repeated explosions like fireworks,
minaled with the hoarse shouts OF hremen, the
putting OF engines. the crash OF falling walls.
the rumble from hurrying teams and the surg
ing OF the vast crowds which soon gathered
Gnd rushed to and frO in everybOdy's way.
IL would be impossible TO narrate all the
events OF this exciting night There were
deeds lof valor that are worthy OF more ex-
tended account than can be given here. There
were plenty Of eyewitnesses to- and actors in,
the fiery drama, who were ready aud anxious
to relieve themselves of the burden OF their ex.
perience by telling come Of the things they
would mover forget
Saved by n Wire.
For the frat time in Bosion's fire history the
overhead wire system has proved the means OF
saving a life. When the FIRE In the Brown.
DureIl building was at its height the form OF a
man was seen at the eighth story window. lie
boldly seized one OF the large
insulated cables. which contain a
lgrge number Of electric wires, and
proceeded to cross to the opposite building
hand over hand. lie had gone but few feet
when II became apparent that no could not
last long aud. greatly 10 the relief oil the crowd,
he threw both lsgs over the half cable. which
slightly ssgged. aud slowly and tsdiously made
his way toward the bulIdinga ll9 Kingstonst.,
10 which the cable ran.
A large number OF fhfe-taving nets, can vases
0Dd clothes were produced and fiTemen, po-
lice aud bystanders Wed with each other in
holding them, while others hoarsely shouted to
the impeTriled IlRn to drop. To have done so
seemed TO court instant death. Ills
white. agonized face could be seen
Gs he slowly made Lis way over the
cable Several times the voice of the vast crowd
was hushed as II seemed that the poor man
hang ng there was lost All at once the crowd
broke into a cheer which seemed to infiuse new
lie into the tagging spirit Of the man. lie
reached midway between the two buildings and
II he could only hang on few minutes more
be would be saved.
Every inch OF the street below was now COW
cred with nets. At this point the cloud of
smoke cleared away and the man was recOg-
nzod as Chief John L. Eagan OF East Boston.
who had been out OF the house only a short
time where he was confined with a broken
collar-hons and other injuries received by
falling on the ice. squad OF ren ran
up on the building. il9 kingston-st., and slowly
lowered the cable 20 wi !ch Eagan was hanging.
At the same time hook aud ladder IA erected a
ladder to meet the slowly descending man.
The cable was payed out slowly and the ex-
hausted man gradually came nearer term
frna. His body swung close TO the burning,
building, from which issued dense
clouds OF smoke. In few seconds
he svung into the arms OF his
comrades, released his hold, and, as weak a. a
rat. carried from, the scene, truly snatched
from the jaws OF death. A shout Of triumph
aud applause came forth from the throats OF
the vast assembly.
Thrown by the Hose.
John J. Sullivan OF engine held the nozzle
in the Lincoln building on the fifth floor, try
ing TO subdus the flames In the Ames building.
Orders were given TO shut of and leave the
building for fear Of their lives. As the men
on the lower floors let 90 OF the
house Sullivan was carried over
the balustrsds and hurled 10 the
bottom Of the wall lie struck the balustrade
on each floor and was unconscious before
he reached the bottom. lie was taken to the
city hospital. His recovery 10 doubtful lie
will be a cripple for life If he recover
Ida RlckaOn. TWENTY-FIVE Years old. Ieaped