The San Francisco call., 1897-10-19

1t was through the careless handing oil
one of the bulbs that the disaster which
killed Mary Beck and injured the others
is due. From the stories of several of the
girls it appears that James Eva, superin-
tendent of the works, was trying
the lights. One of the incandescent
burners did not appear 10 work well, and
he took off The bulb TO examine
it. 1t slipped from his hand and tell to
the floor. The hot glass ignited the pow
der scattered there, and though Eva at
tempted to stamp out the sparks with his
foot he was unable 10 do SO.
Some of the girls in the taperoom
who saw the sparks through the open
door raised a cry of "Fire!' There
was a mad rush to the door outside OF
which were the stairs leading to the
ground. Just as the foremost girls
reached it there was an explosion fol-
lowed by rush OF fame. The walls OF
tn building few outward and the whole
structure collapsed.
At the first alarm Blanche Barber and
Emma Steffens rushed for the elevator in
the spinning-room and let themselves to
the cellar floor, escaping uninjured.
After the first explosion there was Sec
ond, and then the flames poured out and
communicated to the other buildings.
William Tregay, the engineer, was in
blown out on the ground, dazeG and
bruised. Two young men who happened
on the scene soon after carried him away
from the burning ruins.
Nora Murphy was caught in some OF
ths falling timbers as was also Mary
Amsler. The second explosion released
the latter and she FASTENED 10 the as
sistance Of her friend. With a bravery
that is remarkable she tugged at the half
senseiess girl while the flames poured out
singeing ner hair and burning her hands.
She finally got Nora away from the wreck,
but she was not yet out of danger.
Her com panion was so weak that she
fell three times, and with a strength born
of her love for her shopmate the heroic
16-year-old girl half carried and half
dragged her friend away from the danger.
1t was only after she had attended to
her friend that she thought of herself.
She. was assisted 10 her home in Ocean
View and physician, who had been sum-
moned. bandaged her arms and dressed
the burns.
James Eva managed to get out OF the
building without any serious injury, for
he was near the door and made his escape.
1t is believed that Mary Beck, whose
back was toward Eva, and who was una.
ware of The danger, was either blown down
Ehe elevator shaft or was rendered sense
less by being struck by piece of flying
timber. Her cries were heard tor few
minutes after the building collapsed, but
it is supposed the life was crushed out of
her By the heavy timbers, thus mercifully
sparing her the agony of being burned
alive.
The fremen from engine 33 at Ocean
View were summoned, but they could do
nothing, as the ruins were in flames and
there was no water available. 4 o effort
was made to get The body out, for it was
deemed useless.
The Chinese were panic stricken and
acted like lot of maniacs. They rushed
into. the bunkhouse and attempted 10
save their belongings while the house was
being rapidly consumed above them.
The arrival of three young men from
Colma brought them to their senses, and
they were driven out of the house and
their clothing thrown after them.
Foreman Baldwin was burned seriously
about the hands. Felix Gallagher and
James Ryan were among the mum Der
who escaped without injury. Tne in
lured were taken TO their homes, and
Drs. Mclaughlin and Vondree made
them as comfortable as possible.
The noise of the explosion attracted a
large crowd from Ocean View and Coim a,
but they could do nothing.
William Tregay was seen at his home
in Ocean View. He was in considera bic
pain from the fractured ankle bone, and
was disinclined To talk about the accident.
"AIl I know is that I was in the engine
room, and before 1 had time to think of
anything, l was thrown out into the
street. tried to crawl away, but cou dn't
Some young men assisted me and got me
home"
= Nora Murphy was lying in bed in her
DOulS dt ocean view, suuerlng Sc
verely from internal injuries received
by being thrown to the floor by the con.
cussion.
81 was in the taperoom. spooling tape" ?"
she said. "AlI 1 know is that the fire
broke out suddenly. Something bit me
in the head and almost stunned me.
Il ran for the door, and Just as l
reached it the floor gave way and we all
went down. Twas caught under some of
the lumber, and though l struggled hard
TO free myself could not. Had il not been
for the help that my brave little friend
Mary Amsier gave me / know l would
have died there.
She dragged me out and l tried to
walk, but was so weak and injured that
/ fell. Mary did not desert me. She
dragged me up. but l fell secoud time,
and then fell again. Finally Mamie got
me out of danger"
The sick girls eyes filed with tears
as she told of The devotion of her brave
friend.
Nora Murphy was one of the new girle
in the factory. having gone TO work there
last Friday.
Mary Amsler, the heroine of the ex-
plosion, was sitting In the dining-room of
her mothers home in Ocean View three
hours after the explosion.