Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-12-31

Speaker or the Assembly received a
startling baptism of ire here tonight,
for the Delavan house, that famous
bostslry known from Maine TO Caliior-
MIA, the Mecca Of politicians aud the
centre Of all big State political events
for forty years, was completely destroy
ed. Fire is not au uncommon visitor,
but Gre such as this tonight has sell
dom been seen.
It was haIf-past eight and the polit-
ical headquarters Of both Mr. Fish and
Mr.. Maltby were filed with politicians
and newspaper men. State Factory In
spsctor Connolly, who had been in the
LOBBY with a number OF people, started
to go up she elevator. He remarked
that be smelIsd smoke, and suggested
, an investigation. Before it could bs
begun there we're cries OF fire from diff
ferent parts Of the house Simultaneous
~. The outburst Of flames before an
alarm could be given TO arouse the in
mates of the rooms, was something ap-
palling. Up the elevator shaft there
shot
4 SOLID COLUMN OF FLAMES,
while up the staircase nearby there shot
another column.
As the mass OF white hot flames reach
co each OF the five floors, :hsy brauched
out iuto tongues OF lsaping destruction,
and it seemed as though the whole in-
10 fsrior Of the structure was a seething
mass Of FIRE. Fortunately the guest list
was not very large, and the majority OF
those registered were politicians and
-EtsPa-d4sVEEr-6sr-t -see6Bd -A00r,--were-
Mr Fish and Mr. MaItoy had head
quarters. There was a rush for the
stairs in the front aud the servants
stairs in the back, where the
flames nad not yet reached and In
few minutes there was
rUMBLING MASS OF HUMANITY.
coming down these two meau> OF egress.
Those on the two upper floors could not
avail themselves OF these exits, for the
flames were rushing across the cOrri-
dOrs, aud the people on the street, who
had not yet seen the flames, heard a
.. crash of glass aud saw 6gures come
tumb'iug out Of the windows With
ten minutes after the FIRST note OF alarm
% least twelve persons we're dangling
on the insufficient rope fire escapes or
hanging on 20 the window silis.
The hie department arrived quickly,
but 90 TOOK some tune 90 get ladders
up, aud in the meantime some of the
people had dropped 90 the street. On
the right side OF the building there ap-
peared al q window surrounded Oy
smoke a man aud woman, The man
bad hold of the woman irving 20 per
suade her 20 wait for help, but she
BEORE AWAY AND srEANG OUT.
She struck balcony and rebouuded to
the street. Tue man waited for lad
der and was taken down 10 safety. His
name was III a. FOakes, and be repre-
sented a cash register company ia Day
500, Ohio. The woman vas his vile,
and she will probably die.
Ia sx-SDeaser MaIt0y's room, which
was 20 the rear of the elevator shaft,
where the FIRE first appeared, there was
she greatest excitement About twenty
politicians were there, including Con-
\ Rressmeu Weaver aud Curtis. Senator
Kiburn and Mr. Maltly. A rush was
made for the stairs, and when the party
landed in the street Jbe Only injured
one was found 90 be AssemO.ymau Rob-
bins, whose hair aud face was badly
burned.
Mr. Fisb's headquarters there was
Urry, because they were near the
All got down safely, but the
tY
LEFT THEIR BAGGAGE.
Manchester, Of Auburn, postmas-
be Assembly, rau toward the.0ag-
om FOR mis- grip. Returning, be
lhiS way blocked with flames aud
and rushed back 90 q win
He smashed 70 out and slid down
ope FIRE escape. Although fve
high. there were no outside fire
es, and the only means left for
DsODle in she cutoff rooms was 90
he rope ire escapes.
B T.. Heilman, OF Brooklyn, was 10
the third story. He opened his room
door as som as he heard the cry OF FIRE.
burst Of flames made him look 20 the
window as means OF escape Ia an
instant be bad bur two alternatives
FIERY DEATH OR A JUMP
Ho chose the latter, ana plunged
through the window. When be was
picked uD from the sidewalk be was
found TO be badly injured. lie will die.
His wife, who was ia the room with
him, tried the Ere escape, but il either
broke or else she failed 90 hold 60 IT, for
she, too, came 20 the pavement heavily.
Her right leg was broken, ner leitankls
dislocated and she was badly burned
about the face and head.
In less than fifteen minutes after the
Ere started, the entire structure was
wrapped 90 aames From the windows
Of each OF It's i've stories smoke poured
in volumes, and few minutes later
toe flames belched forth. In twenty
minutes tbe building resembled
sEETHING CRATEB,
and it was plain TO the thousands Of
spectators who had gathered that it
would be entirely destroyed. Edward
WALSH, a porter. was caught 10 the hail.
Before be could Eet out be was very
badly burned and bad 20 be taken q
tte hospital
Ihe Dalavan .hopse e 8ity years
r,ost i8U0ns be