Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1895-08-22
HOTEL HOLOCAUST.
Forty or More Lives Are Lost
at Denver, Col.
The Gumrey HOUSE Wrecked by a Boiler
Explosion

Denver. Col, Aug 19-The Gumrey
hotel. 1925 TO 1888 Lawrence street
was wrecked by a terrific explosion at
1910 O'Clock this morning. The rear
half of the building, tlve-Story nrlch
aud stone structure, went down win Il
crash. The hotel was crowded Win
guests and many of them were kllleu'
as well as the entire force OF hotei EN-
ployes who were sleeping III the poi'lon
of the building which fell. g.
on both sides of Lawrence, from Sew
onteenth to Eighteenth streets, ana on
I,arimer. directly back of the hotel. the
nlate glass windows of the business
houses were blown in and numoer
of pedestrians were injured by Iaiilhs
glass. The fronts OF man! pulioiiiss
in the vicinity were badly wrecked.
The firemen worked hard, but were
unable to make much progress because
Of the intense heat. At the front enu,
where the collapse was the worst, there
were bricks and plaster piled tWent!
feet high and under this debris couid pe
heard the means of the injured ana uy
ing. At 1885 five injured persons nau
been taken out. They were all inmates
of the upper story, and sank down WIN
the upDer stories, escaping more fortu-
nately than those below, who We're SUN
buried in the ruins.
At 1880 a. M. the ruins were burning
fercely and the firemen were Obliged TO
retreat from the work of rescue. Every
engine in the city was pouring streams
into the mass. AS their chances OF es-
cane lessened the cries of the imprisoned
neoDle increased; heartrendering shrleks
rising from every portion OF the great
mass of wreckage. Fears were enter
tanned that the front portion OF the
building. which seemed to be lettering,
would fall and bury the tiremen at their
work.
At 2 o'clock six persons had been taken
from the ruins, all badly injured. In adj
dition, four were severely cut by glass
falling into the street.
The firemen made brave effort to save
a woman caught in the debris of the north
corner of the hotel. but were forced to
abandon the attempt. The spot where
She Law was then the hottest part of the
fire None of the six persons thus tar
taken out are conscious and identification
is impossible.
Twelve dead bodies had been taken out
at 6 a. m The fire is still burning, but is
under control and confined to the hotel
More bodies are thought to be under the
ruins.
The Gumery hotel was a five-story
brick, with stone front. and was built
about SIX years ago. 1t was OF the Better
kind of second-class hotels, catering large
ly to transient family patronage. Thus
many ladies and children were among the
guests. The building was built as the
Eden Musee by the widow of Gen Tom
Thumb and was so occupied, later being
remodefed for use as a hotel. GUmrey
and Grenier have owned the hotel for
several years Mr.. Gumrey was prom
inent contractor and had done mucf OF
the work during the building of the state
capitol Mr.. Grenier acted in the capacl-
ty of manager. No meals were served
in the hotel and every guest entered on
the register occupied room in the hotel
last night.
Twenty-Five people were registered
most of them late last night, the list being
as follows:
Mrs. O. II. Knight, Lake City.
Mrs Knights son.
j. l.. Kirk Omaha.
+ c. Brown, Omaha
Bud Buren,, Colorado Springs.
J. W. Roberts and wife, Colorado Springs.
Miss Jennie Howard Boston.
Mrs G.. w. Williams Boulder.
Miss Hattie II. Williams Boulder.
Mrs. McClain and child, Huron, Kas.
Henry Sloan, Huron, kas.
Mrs. Henry sloan, Huron; Has.
r. French. Central City, Col.
g. Lorah Central City, Col.
W. j. Corson,. Pueblo.
M. E.. Letson, Denver.
The cause of the explosion is uncer4-
tain. but it is supposed that the battery
Of boilers in the hotel basement must
throughout the city, awakening people
a mile from the scene. A cloud of dust
was thrown 1OOG feet in the air and as
there is no wind it still hung in mid
air like a huge column. Minute atoms,
of powdered brick and mortar descended!