The Red Cloud chief., 1895-11-29
SIX FTREMEN PERISH.
co DOWN TO DEATH BE-
MEATH FALLING WALLS.
Alleged "rircproof" building Destroyed
Three Persons Fatally Injured by Jump
ing for Thor Lives Zig Clothing Firms
with Many Employees Burned u

F; CHICAGO, Nov. 23.--Two disastrous
6res have occurred here within TWEEN
ty-four hours in large buildings in the
center of the business section, supposed
when constructed, TO have been prac-
Aically freproof. In the first there
was q total loss OF not less than $780,
600, while there were many narrow
escapes. In the second the loss aggrc-
gated at least $3.50, 900, while six fire.
men were buried under falling walls
and probably killed and three other
persons were probably fatally injured.
The FIRST fire started In the Excelsior
building, owned by Warren. Shringer,
about 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon,
and destroyed IL and the adjoining
eight story building In less than au
hour. Thirteen valuable manufacture
Ing plants in the two buildings were
destroyed and hundreds " men and
women employed Ia the factories had
narrow escapes.
The second fire broke out this morn
ing In the seven story terra Gotta Tx.
change building at Nos. 276 to a7s
Market street extending in an az" to
Van Buren, street. The first and sec
ond floors were occupied by Stein,&
Bcirs, clothing; the third and fourth
by Henry Newman, clothing; fifth,
Amazon Clothing Company; sixth,
Fallows & Co., collars and cuffs; sew
cnth, Townsend & Gale, clothing and
dry goods and the National Thrend
Company. Each of the firms employed
women and rs soon rs the presence of
the fire was madc known ali were
thrown into n state of great excite
mcnt Panic reigncd everywhere and
before some of the girls could be re-
strained they had climbed out of the
windows and jumped. One of the first
10 appear at a third story window was
Nellie Turner. She screamed for help
and some one on the ground shouted
for her TO jump. She did not do this,
however, but left the window. A mo-
ment later she appeared at another,
lea q fire escape, and climcd upon the
sill. She got ON the fire escape and
began to descend. Officer Flaherty
was also on the escape between the
first and second story, aud when he
saw the girl above him he started
up To aid her. lie was too late. She
suddenly lost her balance aud fell
headlong to the street Flahcrty
tried to catch her, but could not reach
her. She was picked up almost un-
conscious and carried into a drug
store, God stimulants were admins.
tered, Nat she did not revive. She
was internally injured and will die.
Kittie Landgraf jumped from u fourth
story window with Harry Neil, IL
years old, and both were internally
injured aud may die.
The fire seemed to have broken
loose on several floors OF the big build
ing at the same instant, SO rapidly did
IL spread.
The fire started on the fourth floor
II is thought, in rooms occupied by
Stein & Biers. Thirty girls were EN-
ployed there and all made frantic
efforts To escape. Among the first Ia
come 10 their aid was Joe" the jani-
tor. lie assured the girls that II they
would remain quiet and composed they
would all get out safely. He led as
many of them as he could induce 10
accompany him to the main stairway
and they reached the street without
injury.
The escape of olga Kellar is re.
garded rs marvellous. When the room
Sht q WIZ Nlbt ptBhh W hii
with smoke she ran to one Of the win
dows overlooking Van Buren, stree,
n climbed out on the ledge, clingipg
with one hand to the narrow strip OF
wood on the outside of the sash. She
saw n few feet below her the ladder on
which two fremen stood. and'she pre-
pared TO jump, bnt was restrained
until Captain lIcrmanson had almos,
reached her, Then she released hel
hold On the window siding, having
been overcome by the smoke. Her
manson hraced himself aud seized the
girl with his right arm. lie narrowl,
escaped falling. From hundreds o
hroats cheers were heard as he de
scended the ladder with his human
burden.
The loss on the building and TO tn,
tenants Is estimated at from $3.50. 90
TO S4oo, 900. The building was value,
at SEQ, 900.
A few minutes before I o'clock tn
second and third floors fell. c~arrvin
with them the first. On the latter 81
members of engine company No.
were working. They were Capital
Louis Feline. his lieutenant and fou
linemen. All were buried In the d,
0ris ia the basement. where the thre
floors fell, and, it is believed. ali weE
killed.