The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-05-06


THE awful drama was then tits height
In the midst of Kissing, cracking flames
we heard the shrieks OF victims, but they
were speedily stifled. Seeing the hope
lessness of attempting TO save the bazaar,
the firemen turned their attention to the
adjoining convent, up the walls OF which
the flames we're leaping. In few mo-
ments the bazaar collapsed with frightful
crash, envelopinc the vicinity in flaming
debris. was then abe to approach it.
"On all sides were bodies, many of them
stretched on their backs, with arms ex-
tended as though appealing for help.
Others were still burning, their bodies
emitting a cracking sound and sicken-
ing odor The space in which we were
standing was speedily invaded by despair
ing crowds of relatives, some OF whom
had to be forcibly prevented from leaping
into the flames. 1t was impossible then
10 find those whom they sought in the
heap of shriveled limbs, twisted bodies
and blackened, grinning faces"
The bazaar was situated opposite the
Rothschild stables. Gamard, groom in
the employ of the Rothschilds witnessed
the whole scene. He says:
"At 20 yesterday afternoon I saw the
Comtesse de Reese rush into the street
from the bazaar shouting 'Firev I looked
up and saw nothing but little smoke
rising from the structure, and could not
ba in fri hY
when suddenly l heard confused MUIR
muir, deepening into a roar. Then the
roof OF the bazaar burst into flames like
q box of matches. Instantly there vas a
terrible rush of people like a wave into
the street. Fearful terror was depicted
on each face. The hair of some was
burning.
There was such rush from the inside
of the building to the door that ten
women fell in a heap on the pavement,
and those following piled on top, crush
i9g and bruising the helpless ones.
Women shrieked with agony.
II rushed out and tried to lift some of
them up, but was driven back by the
frenzied crowd following. Many of them
threw themselves on the ground and
rolled over from side to side in their at
tempts to stihe the flames. One lady
reached the streets in safety and then.
noticing that her child was lost she
forced her way back, biting and scratch
ing like mad creature, and succeeded
IN re-entering the furnace. She never
again emerged.
Men with their hair and boards in
flames came out among the women. Gen.
eral Meunier, with his clothes ablaze and
in great agony, rushed into the courtyard
in front of the stables ard plunged into a
trough of water. Forty persons sought
refuge in Baron Rothschild's house. La
dies with their dresses in flames rolled
upon the stones of the ourtyard, uttering
frightful shrieks.
Il fetched a hose and turned water on
the burning people, and so saved several
OF them from being roasted alive. l also
assisted several women who were almost
naked, their clothing having been burned
or torn off their bodies, in reaching the
Hospital Beauion. According to my esti-
mate barely five minutes elapsed between
the time when went to the hospital and
the time when I returned, when the ba-
zaar was no longer in existence"
Mrs. William Astor left the bazaar a
ton.
Miss Fame, sister of Frederick Fame,
an American residing in Rue Prony, who
was almost totally deaf, was in the center
of the building when the fire broke out
Her escape was largely due to her in
trinity. She saw the fire without hearing
the tumult ensuing on the discovery anu
made her way to an exit, being among
the first to reach il.
The Baroness de SELLERS, formerly Mrs,
Livermore, OF New York, also reached the
door among the first.
In comparatively few instances of sui
location the features are placid, those of
Nine. Jacque being almost pleasant in her
sudden sleep of death. In the list of dead
are found no country visitors yet, but it is
certain there was large contingent, not
only from provincial chateaux, but from
Belgium.
The Countess de Castellane, at first
thought to be among the dead, had been
invited to be present at the bazaar yester-
day, but owing to her having attended a
charitable fete in Rue de Sieze the day be-
fore she put off her visit until to-day. To
this she probably owes her life
Consul General Morss was passing near
Rue Jena, riding on a bicycle, when the
cry of fire was raised. He left the ma
chine in the street and devoted himself
all night to assisting the firemen. Mr..
Whitney Of Boston, an old volunteer fire.
man, who is now living in Paris, also as
sisted the fremen in the work of rescue
until day break.
One mystery is now cleared. The vic
tins were besmeared with flaming tar
and other infammable compounds drop
ping from the roof, and this was WHY
there was no prelude of asphyxia. The
women were singed by licking flames and
literally burned alive, as would be res
cuers sobbed and wrung their hands in
powerless despair. This accounts also for
the terrific phenomen Of bursting bodies
full of blood and life only few seconds
before.
The unidentified bodies as well as the
Jewels recovered from the debris have
been photographed.
Among the last to escape from the burn
ing building was Baronne de Reuter-, for.
merly Miss Beatrice Potter OF Philadel.