The record-union., 1895-08-20

Not be Definitely Known Until
Order is Reduced From the Con-
fused Mass of Ruins Occasioned by
the Explosion and Subsequent Fire.
DENVER, Aug. 1870 far as have been
recovered, eight bodies are at the City
Morgue aud ten more are known to be
buried beneath the ruins, as the result OF
The explosion and fire this morning in the
Gumry Hotel. Altogether seventeen
people are missing, and the loss OF life
will not be definitely known until order
IS reduced from the confused mass OF
ruins.
The killed are: r. c. Grener, Assist
ant Superintendent OF Construction at the
State Capitol, and wife, who acted az
clerk of the destroyed hotel; George
Burt of Denver q conductor on the Chi
cago, Rock Island and Pacific; Fred
hubbold of Lisbon, Ia. guest of the hotel;
e. L. McCIoskey of Colorado Springs,
Colo, guest VIII Richards of Denver,
elevator boy, and an unknown woman
and child about 3 years old. The only
means of identifying the body Of the
woman is by gold band ring, with the
initials III. B." engraved thereon.
The missing, and still supposed to be
lii the ruins, are: Peter Gumry, owner OF
the hotel and Superintendent of Con-
struction at the State Capitol; General
Charles Adams of ManitOu, Colo; James
Murphy, prominent democratic politi-
clan of Omaha; +. \. Edwards. a
butcher of Denver; w. J. Blake, w. j.
COrson, +. French, County treasurer OF
GiIpln County; Mrs. @. K. Wolfe. Grace
Wolfe, years old, of Lincoln, Neb.; b. l.
Lurch OF Black Hawk, unknown woman
and three unknown chambermalds.
Injured and safely attended at the nos
pitfalls are: NJ. l.. Lets0n, Joseph Munal,
Alex Erwin, Fred Coleman, Nathan Z.
Burgess and Budd Hopkins.
This. so far, is a definite knowledge of
the people TO be accounted for, but the
hotel register shows people who have
safely materlallZed, and some missing are
not on the register.
The latest obtainable information re-
garding the most terrible catastrophe that
is recorded in Denver's history clearly
shows that q seyenteen-y ear-Old boy,
Elmer Pierce, who was temporarily
placed in charge OF the boiler. was dl-
Tectly responsible for the accident. With
the boiler almost at a red heat, he Injected
cold water into the tubular affair. causing
an immediate explosion. Strange to say,
aud by miracle, he escaped unscathed,
and was being hunted by crowds OF peO-
nle, who would have dealt with MN
hastily had he been apprehended. he
seems safe, however, as no clew has been
unearthed as to his whereabouts.
The story OF suffering amid the ruins
Is agoniZing and even repuIslye. Few
Of
summoned rescue corps and policemen,
remained near the scene 10 witness the
excavation of the horribly burned human
masses anu distorted remains.
NJ l.. Letson, who was the first live
man taken from the ruins, ha1 au eX-
perience at which all mankind can mar
vel. He slept on the third floor, and
when found he was encased in a conical
shaped mass of mortar and bricks that
barely allowed his freedom of movement.
Chief Roberts of the Fire department
first discovered him, and rapidly began
the removal of the tons of material That
seemed 10 rest directly upon his body.
in agonizing and heart-rendlng appeals
lie begged an instrument TO end his tor
lures. The rescuers worked with a will,
and in two hours hau succeeded in re-
moving enough plaster and bricks from
Jhe apparently iieleSS body to permit OF
the prisoners removal. With most gra-
Cious thanks the man was removed to the
County Hospital. and though his lower
limbs were horribly confused, he will
survive his terrible ordeal. tie had been
imprisoned for ten hours.
No words can portray the scene around
the ruins late this afternoon. Women
and children, maddened by terrible sus-
Dense, hurried to and fro in anxious in-
Quiry concerning loved ones that are
missing. Strong men, bard at work
amid The ruins, quake at The slckenlng
smell OF roasting flesh, and turn with
Daliid countenance from the scene.
Never before has such absolute wreck
age and rum devastated any portion of
the State.
a bout 10 \. NJ. to-day woman's hand
prOtruded almost unnotlced from pile
OF lathes, bricks and other material.
With the precision OF a trained corps of
life-savers, attention was turned by the
rescuers TO the delicate member that al
most beck oned for help. W hen the work
OF removal OF the debris from her body
commenced, it was discovered that she
was dead. Lying beside her in hfeless,
yet tender affection, was the corpse OF a
small child, innocent looking even in
DEATH Bravely on worked the tremen,
superintended by Mayor McMurray OF
this city. and Police Commissioners Ho-
gle, Church and Wilson.
\ bout P. ii. coffee and sandwiches
were served the interchangeable reScGers by
prominent ladies of the city, VINO volun-
teered their services. Aldermen Leet and
Ross were begrimed with smoke and dirt
from their laOorS IN attempting 10 renuer
all possible aid.
At o'clock the body of an unknown
man was uncovered, and 1t was immedi-
ately taken to the City MOrgue, where 1t
was later thought 10 be that OF +. +. Nc
Closkey Half an hour later the remains
OF Conductor Burt were discovered.
They. too, were taken to the morgue.
Earlier in the morning were louho the
bodies of Mr.. and Mrs. K. c. Greiner.
clasped in fond embrace. amid tons OF
spllntered timbers and badly bent gas
pipes. They had undoubtedly died from
sunocation, as their features were per-
tectly clear and their limbs IN natural re-
pose. The left arm OF Mr.. Grelner was
thrown across his wife's face, his fore
1nger raised as though forewarnlng dam
ger. The hremen first uncoVereu tneir
heads. and it was half an hour later be-
fore the entire body was exhumed.
Excitement IN The city tonight Is at 8
high pitch. Throngs OF people crowd
police headquarters, the Morgue and
hotels 10 search Tor missing friends.
Many stretched ropes encircling the
scene of the accident tail to keep back
excited friends Of missing people and
thousands OF curious bystanders. Police
from all over the city are stationed at the
scene, and mere idlers are rapidly traus-
ported TO police headquarters if they fail
TO obey orders to yacaie.
There is much conjecture tonight con-
corning the cause OF the accident. but
Coroner Martin is now firmly convinced
that the accident was caused as stated.
The hastily organized surgeons corps,
under Police Surgeon Derrick, did noble
work. With fifty feet Of fllmsy walls
lettering over their heads. they wended
5 their way early in the accident along cor
ridors, GOWN stairways, past stIaky par
Iitions, to aid the Injured. Medicine was
passed from one 10 another in the line.