Democratic messenger., 1896-03-14
A PLUCKY WOMAN.

at Sturgeon Bay, Wi-., recently hy
three young men forms worthy
chapter in the book Of brave deeds.
With no other aid than their strength
and bravery they constituted them,
selves human extension ladder and
saved the girl, whom the other specta-
tors had >hudderingly abandoned To
death.
\ man who was passing the resi-
dence of james keogh, the banker. at
, o'clock on the morning in question,
saw a bright flame sp,ulins from the
chimney Of the main section Of the
house.
Aiter hammcring the door and
shouting to Mr.. keogh, the di>coverer
OF the fire at last succeeded in arous-
ing the inmates Of the house. Mr..
keogh was the first to make his ap-
pearance, but his wife and eight chill
dren remained in the blazing home.
Fire seemed everywhere and the
smoke formed Il cloud through which
the flames CLEANED fercely. Tn
daunted Mr.. Keogh and the man who
had awakened him made their way
through smoke and flame to the inter
ior of the house
In two rear rooms on the first floor
were Mrs. keogh, who is an invalid,
and four children. Lifting his wife
from the bed, Mr. keogh bore her in
safety to the open air Four times he
re-entered the furnace, in each in.
stance returning with senseless child
in his arms. When he appeared with
the fourth child his hair, beard and
clothing were i'll flames. Is he stag.
gered into the open air his strength
left him, and lie fell TO the ground.
Blankets were thrown about him and
the child in his arms, but not until
both were seriously burned by his
blazing clothing.
BY this time half the population Of
the village surrounded the burning
house. For moment it was believed
all the inmates had escaped in safety,
when screams came from behind the
curtain Of flame and smoke that OBJ
scured the front windows. Almost at
the same instant a girl, with hair and
night dress ailame, rushed from the
front door and fell unconscious at Mr..
Keogh's feet.
Then, as il by the action Of Provi
dence, the smoke and flame seemed 10
clear away from the burning struc.
lures 'front.' and the spectators saw
girl leaning from window in the
third story. Her cries for help were
pitiful, but there seemed no possible
hope Tor her escape.
There are III Sturgeon Bav three
young men who have long prided
themselves on the athletic ieats they
can perform together, the "living
chain, the "human ladder" and the
'swaying tower" being among their
achievements This trio-Delos Rich.
ardson Harry Melton and Joseph
fianington-were present ut the fire
rs quick as they realized the .itua-
tion all three ran to the front of the
house The iirst and second story
windows were directly in line with the
window in the third story, from which
the now frantic girl leaned. Har-
rington leaped 10 the ledge of the first
window, and in less than it takes TO
relate it, Richardson had mounted
Harrington shoulders and Melton
was perched on his By this means
Melton was elevated to a sufficient
height 10 gain Il firm hold on the inner
sill of the second story window, and
though the flames scorchcd his hands
he maintained his hold. Richardson
gra>ped Melton's legs firmly and Har-
rington climbed over both to the see
ond story window ledge. Richardson
then pulled himself up and over Mel
ton, and the latter was then lifted To
the ledge beside his companions.
Again ladder was formed, and
this time il reached the window where
the girl, with marvellous presence OF
mind, waited for her rescuers, despite
the smoke and flame all about her.
Melton seized her, and, hanging to the
window with one hand, succeeded in
lowering the girl to Richardson, who
in turn gave her into Harrington
hands. Harrington swung the girl
down 50 that she stood upon the window
ledge beside him. All this time Har-
rington was bearing the weight of
Melton and Richardson on his shoulders.
The girl safely landed on the ledge,
Melton and Richardson made their
way to the same place.
Presently. however, through a rift
OF smoke, the spectators saw Melton
lit the girl from the window and hand
her To Richardson, who in turn lowered
her until Harrington could place one
arm about her and stand her ON the
window ledge beside HIM. Then the
human ladder tumbled down and the
three men and the rescued sirl we're
soon with their friends Five minutes
later the roof ot the house fell in.
i have Just received my new line
of Spring hats and they are beauties.
y n Emit