The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-08-20
TAE ENGINEER
Caused an Explosion and the Wreck
OF a Denver Hotel.
THE RUINS THEN CAUGHT FIRE.
Twenty-Five Persons Are Dead
and Missing.

DENVER, Aug. 20.-A portion OF Gumry
hotel, the scene of Sunday nights fright
full disaster. Is still standing, constantly
threatening to crash down upon those
delving In the ruins at any moment. Tho
search for victims has boen carried on
with tho utmost energy.
Flames broke out afresh In tho wreck
age last night, and the fire engines are
again pouring forth water, still further
impeding the work Of rescue.
The list Of dead and missing now num-
bers 25, making tho disaster the worst
that ever occurred In the city. Only
seven bodies have thus far been recovered,
being those of Manager Grenier and his
wife. clasped In each others arms; Gore
Burt, q Rock Island conductor; Mrs.
George X. Wolfe and daughter, Fred Hub
bold, and Will Richards, the elevator
operator Of tho hotel.
Among the missing is included Elmer
Pearce, the night engineer, aged IL. 1t Is
20 his carclessness that the disaster Is at
tributed.
The boy who was In charge of the boiler
mt the time OF the accident had attended a
pionio during the day, and was under the
influence of liquor when he went on duty.
on every side, pushing forward as far as
the 1re-ropes will allow. The police are
constantly guarding against anyone slip
ping through the lines, on account OF the
great danger that the front of the building
may fall.
A Pitifui Incident.
Tho scenes surrounding the death Of
James Murphy, contractor, were heart
rending. The firemen engaged at the rear
of the building heard the agonizing cries
from the man. and asking them TO con-
tinue to play the water.
After a few hours heroic work the fire.
men reached him. His two lower limbs
were pinioned between two heavy joists.
After the most herculean efforts, with
dense smoke binding them, the hremen re-
leased Murphy's left leg At this moment
sheet Of flames compelled thom TO with
draw. Murphy then offered his rescuers
$4,000 to get him out, and piteously de-
manded them TO chop his leg OFF. A sec
ond later the west wall collapsed and COW
cred Murphy with tons Of ruins Murphy
came to Denver, from Omaha, six years
ago.
A Survivors, Experience.
M. f. Letson, dairyman of this city,
was in the ruins 10 hours before he was
rescued. His injuries are crushed arm,
several contusions and the shock TO his
nervous system, Mr.. Letson said:
J. II was more encased than pinioped, as
only my left leg and right arm were held
down by weights. You cannot have the
slightest idea Of my feelings as l lay there
in the bottom OF the basement with all the
ruins on top and around me, hearing the
excruciating cries of the dying And those
in agony, and being almost overcome by
the shock, and some soaked with water
and almost drowned, and fearing that the
next minute would be buried alive
The Financial Loss.
The total loss caused by tho explosion
and fire is about $4,000. The Gumry
hotel was worth about s25,0 900 and had
5000 worth of furniture. 1t is q total
wreck, but was insured for $25, 900.
The McMann block, which stands next
TO the Gumry, was also heavily damaged.
1t is n four-story, pressed brick, and oc-
cupied throughout by the A. Lilliblade
Furniture company. The whole end of
this block was ruined. The loss on the
building is about SIS, 900, as the building
will have TO be torn down. This block is
insured for $4,000. The stock OF A. Lii
liblade. valued at $4,000, is only partly
lost