Rocky Ford enterprise., 1895-08-22

i Doubtless Lost Their Lives.
Denver. Aug. 19-This city was the
scene Of terrible catastrophe at twelve
o'clock last night. The boiler in the
Hotel Gumry exploded with terrific
force, blowing out the rear Of the build
ing at the basement, and letting the
wall above fall down.
This collapse carried down to death
number of the seventy guests that were
sleeping In the hotel Following the
collapse fire burst out and continued
until a late hour this morning, despite
the efforts of the fire department.
The true cause of the explosion Is In
doubt. 1t was the custom Of the engi-
neer, Frank Mccarthy, to bank his fires
at eleven o'clock and go home. The
boilers are left with low pressure un-
der them as a rule, just enough to hoid
fire until the morning, when he returns
and again takes charge. Last night the
engineer had remained later than usual,
and this fact would lead to the belief
that he had on hotter fire than GUS
tomary and had remained with 1t longer
in order to see 1t safe before leaving. 1t
Is stated that the engineer was intoxi-
Gated.
As to the number of lives lost there Is
still doubt Thirteen Is given as the high
est estimate.
The death list will include the owner
of the hotel, Peter Gumry; the manager,
Robert G. Greiner and his wife, who act
ed as day clerk. They are known to have
hnov fv, fI,a nP
could not possibly have escaped. Be
fore fire added to the horrors of the ex-
plosion, the firemen were appealed to
piteously by men and women and babes
whose lives were being crushed out IN
the ruins. Then the fire broke out, and
that ended 1t. One man, Joe Munal OF
Cairo, Illinois, was rescued at 2:3O O'Clock
after an hours work, and 1t is certain
that no more of the victims can be alive.
General Charles Adams Of Manitor
was one of the victims.
The others who are believed to have
perished are as follows:
A. T. Blake, Pueblo. ::
Edwards, Boulder. Ia
Myron Il. Hawley, Denver. 4,
James Murphy, Denver.
Three chambermaids, names un-
known, are believed to have lost their
lives.
The explosion was heard over all the
lower part of the city and the clang Of
the fire gong turned the late pedes-
trians toward the scene Of the catas-
trophe. 1t was a scene to appall the
stoutest heart and almost paralyze the
efforts of the department. The dust
had cleared away somewhat when the
firemen reached the place. There was
no fire to be seen then.
The noise of the explosion awoke the
guests in the front part of the house,
and by the time the first fremen reach
ed the scene they were awake and
ready to be taken from the windows.
That portion of Lawrence street was
literally covered with broken glass
from the front Of the hotel and wrecks
of awnings, doors and windows We're
scattered in wild disorder all about.
The gaping, glassless windows and gen.
eral dilapitated appearance of the
front told that a serious disaster had
occurred, but there was nothing to in
dictate from the front how badly the
damage was to the rear portion Of the
structure.
On arrival the firemen became life
saving corps, and with torch and Ian
tern entered into all parts of the hotel.
First to demand attention was Michael
G. Burgess, who was walking along
Lawrence street on the opposite side
from the hotel. The flying gless cut
him about the head and face in n fright
f1l manner and he was taken to the
city hall in the patrol.
The fremen had put up the ladders
and were hastily running through the
standing rooms, knocking down doors
and searching for the wounded or dead.
Nearly all those found were awaiting
some one to lead them from the house,
standing dazed and uncertain what to
expect next, while their rooms grew
more and more suffOcating from the
dust Of shattered plastering and debris
that was falling all about them.
Six persons, including a woman and
baby, were taken of the roof of the ad-
Joining building occupied by A. Lilly
blade.
The extent of the calamity was first
discovered by citizens who made their
way into the alley at the rear. The
fremen and officers were all at the
front and no one in that vicinity had
an idea of the devastation at the rear,
The hotel is divided In about the CEN
ter by rotunda or court, running to
the top of the building, though covered
at the second floor. The building had
been split in two at this point of divis.
ion and the entire five stories back of
less, awful mass In the alley. Five
stories of brick, wood and iron, with
the human occupants, were made
mere heap of death-containing ruins.
The fragments of the wreck on Law
renee street lowered up into the air, all
dark and yawning, while great sec
ton OF roof hung in threatening suspen-
sion over the chaos below. Out of that
yawning mass above there came shrill
cries Of alarm and horror and here and
there white garment fiuttered. Out
Of the dreadful accumulation of brick
and wood and iron below there came
feeble moans and piteous cries for help
During all this time not fireman
had made his appearance In the rear
Of the building. Finally Assistant
Chief Roberts and dozen firemen and
as many citizens made their way to the
rear through a side yard, and, hearing
the cries. realized what was before
them. They came first upon the place
where woman was buried beneath