Evening journal., 1896-09-07
ELEvEN FlREMEN KlLLsD.
Buried Under Failing Walls While Bat
Ting With FLAMES In Michigan.

Ting with FLAMES In Michigan.
BENTON HARBoR, Mich, Sept. This
olaoe has been visited by terrible holo-
aust. with tho greatest loss of life by fire
hat has ever occurred in this part of tho
state. Fire started in Yore's Opera House,
which was completely destroyed The To-
,al fire companies wero unable to cope
With the flames. and aid was summoned
rom St. Joseph While the firemen were
1t work the walls Of the building fell
burying the men in the ruins. Five were
killed outright six received injuries from
he effects Of which they died in a few
hours, and several others suffered severe
bruises and burns The accident was wit
messed by hundreds Of spectators. The fol-
owing is list of the dead;
Frank Watson, st. Joseph, legs bro
zen, skull crushed; leaves a wife
John Hoffman,, Benton Harbor crush
I'd into unrecognizabie mass; leaves wife
and five children.
Thomas Kidd, Benton Harbor, unmar-
ried. killed by live wires.
Frank Woodley, Benton Harbor, killed
by live electric wires; leaves wife and
three children.
Ed H. Gange, St. Joseph, drayman,
head crushed, legs broken.
Scott Rice, bell boy at the Benton hotel,
skull fractured, internal injuries, lived
but few minutes.
VIII l. Mitten, Benton Harbor, both
/ legs fractured internal injuries, lived two
hours; leaves wife and seven children.
Louis Hoffman,, Benton Harbor, head
smashed, thigh crushed, widower; leaves
| two small children.
Arthur c. Hill, st. Joseph, foreman ST.
| Joe Hose company, legs broken, terribly
/ burned, lived one hour.
Frank Seaver, st. Joseph, leg broken,
badly cut and burned lived three hours.
Robert L. Rofe, St. Joseph, compound
fracture left leg, burned, internal injuries,
lived one hour.
The injured are John A. Crawford, ex-
chief Benton Harbor fire department, over
come 10y heat and smoke, burned about
head, will recover; VIII Freund, st. Jo-
seph, cut about head Frank paget, st.
Joseph, leg bruised by falling brick.
Frank Woodley and Thomas Kidd were
| on top of adjoining buildings, with hose
| when they encountered live electric wires
on which they were hanging when found
The building was comparatively new
having been erected seven years ago at q
cost Of $40, 600 by Patrick Yore a wealthy
farmer, who had since leased it to ]. A
Simon, who has had charge for six years
A two story brick block, owned by JOSEPH
Frick, which stood adjoining, was dem0l
ished by the Opera House walls falling
on top and crashing through to the base
ment without apparent resistance. Tit
Opera block was occupied by The Eyeninl
News, $. NJ. Austin's bakery, J. Bern
stein, clothing; J. Holmes, barber shop, ant
fruit packing establishment. The Fricl
block was used for retail boot and sho
business and also as a dwelling. The build
ings and stocks destroyed, with losses, ar
as follows; Opera House block, loss $40
0OO insurance S19,0O0i Evening New
plant $4,000, insurance So 500i j. Berr
stein. no insurance S3, 600; S. NJ. An
tin, no insurance, $500; Holmes, no II
surance, 500; J. NJ. Fry, loss $1,000, II
surance $4,000; J. n. Herr, grocerie
across the alley, damage to building on
stock 81 900, fully insured.