The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1895-01-05
DISASTROUS FIRES.
Forty-One People Burned to Death
in Oregon Other Fires.

An epidemic of fires and catastrophes due
to flames seems to have swept the country
last week, but in point of damage the climax
came Saturday.
In an isolated Oregon town, no less that Al
persons were burned to death on Christmas
Eve, but the news did not reach a telegraph
station until Saturday. Since then five OF l6
others who we're injured at the Christmas testl-
val may have died.
During a large factory fire in New York
yesterday a battalion chief and fireman were
killed and other fremen injured.
At Toledo, o., a grain elevator was burned,
the loss being over S5OO,OOO. and an aged
employe lost his life.
Louisville's wholesale district was scourged
by a confagration which caused loss OF
S575, 900. while a Pennsylvania nail mill 5 loss
by fire reaches 800, 900 and 200 men and boys
are out of work.
From still other sections of country come
reports of people being burned to death, max
ing the list of casualties altogether an unusual
one.
klamath Falls. Ore, Dec. 29.-News has
Just reached here of a frightful holocaust at
Silver Lake, Lake county, on Christmas Eve,
in which Al persons were burned to death and
l6 badly injured. Five Of the latter will die.
A large crowd had assembled in a hall TO
attend Christmas tree festival. and while the
festivities were at their height someone climb
ed on a bench to get better view. In doing
so his head struck a lamp hanging from the
ceiling. overturning it.
The oil Immediately caught fire. Every
thing being of dry and infammable nature
the room was soon a mass of flames. Some
one shouted ''Shut the door and keep quiet;
| it can be put out! "But by this time the con
fusion was so great that the people went pell-
nell in an eudeavor to reach the door.
Women and children were trampled under
foot There was only one exit from the hall,
and as the fire was between the majority OF
the crowd and the door, many rushed head
long into the flames The dead are
Mrs John Buick and two children.
Mrs. Owsley and two children.
Mr.. J. J. Buick and daughter.
Mrs Smelling.
Mrs Howard and two children.
Mr.. W. o. Hearts and wife.
Mrs Coshow.
Mr.. Frank West, wife and two children.
Mr.. Ed Bowen.
Miss MeCauley
Mr.. T. J. Labrie and child.
Mrs Ward
Mrs. A. Bashir.
Mr.. Frank Horning.
Mrs. PAYNE.
Mrs. Nettie Williams and child.
Mr. W. Clay Martin and wife.
Mr.. Robert Small.
Mrs. Ella Ward and child.
Mr. Frank Ross, mother and sister.
Mr. Roy Wards child.
Mrs Hamilton.
Mrs. Schroeder and child.
The binding was a two-story frame struct-
IRE. On the first floor was the hall. which
was used for gatherings Of all kinds. Silver
Lake Is a small village Of about 100 inhabitants
aud 100 miles from the nearest telegraph office.
BURNED orr AND FROZEN.
Regina. \. W. T., Dec. 29.-The house Of
William Thompson, farmer living - miles
north. burned early yesterday morning, the
inmates barely escaping IN their night clothes.
Mrs Thompson aud two children we're badly
burned. one child dying shortly after being
taken from the house Placing his wife and
the remaining child in henhouse, Thompson
set out for a neighbor's over a mile away,
having only some rags around his feet and
head, being otherwise nude although the
thermometer was so degrees below zero.
When within 100 yards Of the neighbor house
he fell exhausted and almost frozen. but Wa
seen aud carried indoors.
When assistance reached Mr.. Thompson
and child the frost had added 10 the torture
OF their burns and il i Doubtful whether they
eau survive Thompson j. also ia critical
condition.