Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1896-09-10
UNDER A FALLING WALL.
Eleven Firemen Killed at Benton Hnr.
Dor, Michigan.

most horrible holocaust, with the
greatest loss of life, known in this mart
OF the state occurred last night, when
ores opera house took fire and in the
hght to save the building and other
plocks adjoining, eleven firemen, one
volunteer, met their fate at one time,
the deaths being instantaneous with
hve OF them. Six lived only few
hours in awful agony, while several
Others met with severe injuries.
During the evening, the play, "A
Factory Girl, had been given by local
talent, and the theater had closed but
half hour before the fire was discovered.
The building was filled from the
basement to the fourth floor with
suftocating smoke, which burst into
sheets of flame throughout the entire
Audience room, before the fire depart.
ment could respond with single
stream of water, there being some con-
fusion at the outset, owing to the lack
OF hook and ladder facilities, although
the local fire companies had closed a
two days tournament, exhibiting great
skill in their work.
The st. Jospeh department was
called on for assistance. They ap-
preached the building through an alley,
unloading ladders in the rear of the
building, and, while hoisting them,
the upper walls fell over without warn
ing, covering the men. This was wit.
messed by hundreds of spectators. The
killed were as follows:
Frank Watson, st. Joseph, Mich.
leaves a widow.
John Hoffman, Benton Harbor,
crushed into an unrecognizable mass;
leaves widow and five children.
Thomas Kidd. Benton Harbor, un.
married; killed by live wires.
Frank Woodley, Benton Harbor,
killed by live wires; leaves a widow
and three children.
Ed. Fl. Hange, st. Joseph, drayman;
head crushed.
Scott Rice, bellboy at Benton hotel.
skull fractured and internal injuries;
lived but few minutes.
Will Millen, Benton Harbor; leaves
widow and seven children.
Louis Hoffman, Benton Harbor, head
smashed; leaves two small children.
Arthur G. Hill, of st. Joseph, fore
man of ST. Joseph hose company; legs
broken, badly burned; lived one hour.
Frank Seaver, St. Joseph, leg broken,
badly cut and burned; lived three
hours
Robert Bofe, st. Joseph, burned and
internally injured; lived one hour.
The injured were: John A. Craw-
ford, Benton Harbor. ex-chief of the
fire department, overcome by heat and
smoke; will recover.
Will Fecund, st. Joseph, leg bruised
Frank Woodley and Thomas Kidd
were on top of the adjoining buildings
with hose when they encountered live
electric wires, on which they were
hanging when found.
Policeman Charles johnson narrow.
ly escaped, as falling bricks tore his
coat half off, while another officer wa'
protected by telephone pole.
The work of removing the debris was
commenced at once, and those pinned
were removed in a few minutes, ex.
cept G. A. Hill, whose body was recov.
cred at O'Clock this morning 1t was
believed that several more bodies were
under the pile of bricks, and search
was continued until every doubt was
passed.
The cause Of the fire is mystery
Guy Prescott is under arrest, as being
one who knows of the origin. When
asked by the reporter of the cause, he
remarked that be was not going to
give anybody away"
The building was erected seven
years ago at cost of $40, 900. A two
story brick block owned by Joseph
Frick. which stood adjoining, was de-
molished by the falling walls, which
crashed through to the basement with
out apparent resistance. The opera.
house block was occupied by the Even
ing News, s. Austin's bakery, J Bern.
stein, clothing; John Holmes, barber
shop, and a fruit packing firm in the
basement. The Frick block was used
for retail boot and shoe business, and
a dwelling. The building and stocks
destroyed, with losses, will aggregate
about 100000.
A high wind prevailed, which caused
the walls to fall outward. and adjoin.
ing buildings were saved only with the
greatest efforts. A large quantity of
stage scenery, belonging to Henry
Emery, of the Katie Putnam company,
]. A. Simon, and W. G. Hooks, was
destroyed, without insurance.
Thousands witnessed the confagra.
tion, and with difficulty the crowds
were kept out of dangers way. The
work of clearing up the streets was
continued throughout the day.