The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-11-14
INJURED BY JUMPING
Y. nj. c. A. Secretary and Others
Hurt at a Memphis Fire.
Leaped to the Flagstones to Escape
Suffocation-Heavy Loss In
fiicted on Two Firms.

MEMPHIS. Tenn, Nov. 13.-What prom
ised to be one of the most destructive fires
of late years was checked tonight by the
fire department, after a heroic fight. Fol-
lowing are losses: Schmalzried Stove Com
pany, building and stock. loss, O,000; insur-
ance, $4,000. Lennon & Gale, wholesale
dry goods, stock, $1S0.00; building, $4,000;
loss on building by fire, $1,000; loss on stock
by water. 100000; insurance, $4,000. The
Young Mems Christian Association had
rooms in the SchmalZried building, and sew
eral members found themselves hemmed in
by the fire. A number jumped from the
third story and were seriously and perhaps
fatally injured, though no deaths have yet
been reported. 1t is claimed that other
members were overcome by the heat and
burned in the building, but nothing anthem
tic is yet known.
The fire originated In the front OF
Schmalzreid's store, and was caused by the
explosion of a lamp. 1t was witnessed by
Frank l.. Monteverde, secretary of the
ompany and John nj. Ringwoid, shipping
clerk, who were in the rear of the store,
and who had a narrow escape in rushing
which soon filled the lower story. Both of
these gentlemen were painfully scorchcd.
The fire soon burst out the front or the
building on Main street and up the stairs,
which was the only method of entrance 10
the upper stories, and which acted as q
funnel to carry up the flames. In a few
minutes attention was attracted by cries
from the third story in the rear OF the
building, which was occupied by the Young
Mems Christian Association. In the dark,
overlooking the alley. the outlines OF sew
eral forms could be seen at the open win
dows, piteously pleading for help from the
Sitting smoke. Owing to the vast multi
tude tina crowded about it was some time
prisoned young men, and before a ladder
was put in position the heat became SO
unbearable that the colored janitor jumped
from the window, followed by three whlte
men. They fell Upon the rough nag pave
ment below and received injuries as Vol
A. X. PERKINS, secretary Y. NJ. c. A,
skull fractured; probably fatally hurt.
CHARLES r. WHITE. arm broken and
internal injuries.
E. BOADMAN, leg broken and severely
bruised.
JOSEPH LYON, colored porter, wrists
Two men. n. NJ. Sullivan and Frank o:
Seabring, remained at the windows until
rescued by the hook and ladder brigade.
They were badly burned and almost suf-
located, but soon recovered. The injured
men were taken to st. Joseph's Hospital,
and it is thought will recover, with the OK
ception of Perkins, who, it is claimed, can
not survive. 1t Is claimed that two young
men were in the gymnasium on the fourth
hoor, and 1t is certain that they perlshed
If there. They were seen in the gymnasium
a few minutes before the alarm was given.
The Lennon & Gale building, adjoining
the Schmalzried building, took fire on the
roof at the rear, and while the damage by
fire was comparatively sn all, the stock Of
goods was damaged CD per cent. by water,
which flooded the building from all direc-
tons. The confusion was such that nothing
could be learned until a late hour. Ten
thousand people. who were attending sam
scene, and these, augmented by thousands
of others, made it nearly impossible to APP
preach the fire. In one hour after the alarm
was given the fire was under control, and
at midnight there was scarce light enough
to reflect on the naked walls left standing.
The insurance details cannot be obtained
UP to the present time.
1t was learned late tonight that a man
named Thomas II. Bond lost his life in the
Schmalzried building