The Portland daily press., 1897-12-27

fevy minutes as though none would be
able to escape. A watchman named
wheeler saw the trouble and ran TO open
the door, but the crowd was packed in
front Of 1t SO closely that he had the great
est difficulty in reaching it. When it was
finally opened, however, the crowd was in
the open air in a few seconds. In the jam
before the doors were opened several peo-
nile were badly crushed.
George Dekreko, proprietor of the
Streets of Cairo exhibit, was caught on
the balcony and being unable to escape by
the stairway, was forced to jump from
the window. He was picked up severely
bruised In addition to these there were
3 number of other narrow escapes.
Shortly after the fire, Col. John 7.
Dickinson, president of the Coliseum
Company, was seen. He said: The build
ing is a total loss and there is little pros
pect that any attempt at rebuilding will
be made. There was $4,000 insurance
on the building which is just sufficient
to cover the bonds The Coliseum Com
pany was stocked for $500, 600 paid up and
bonded for 100000. The building had
proved a success in every way"
ONLY ONE KILLED.
Chicago, December 25.-The fire which
last evening destroyed the Coliseum,
claims only one victim. He was N. III.
johnson, whose charred remains were re-
covered from the ruins today. johnson
was fireman, employed about the build
ing. He had evidently remained at his
post until the last moment. Then he
rushed toward an exit. Within few
feet of the door an immense piece of
glassful from the roof pinning him to the
floor and he was burned to death. Those
who were reported missing last night re-
turned home this morning. Most of than
had narrow escapes.
DRIVER GAVE UP HIS LIFE.
New York, December 25.-James f.
Calman, an engine driver in the fire de-
partment, sacrificed his own life today
rather than run down a woman and a
little girl who were transfxed with fright
and unable to get out of his way. To avoid
them, he gave tine engine too sharp turn
and it toppled over with the driver be-
meath it. killing him almost instantly.
The child was carrying a Christmas doll
and Calnian had just reported for duty
after having been present at the Christ
mas celebration of his own two children.
HUNDREDS LOOKED ON.
Sandusky, Ohio, December 25.-The
great pavilion on Johnson's Island was
totally destroyed by fire in plain view of
hundeds on the water front in this city,
unable to give assistance on account Of
ice in the bay, which was too light to
bear up but heavy enough to obstruct
navigation. The keepers of the big build
ing were absent and the blaze originated
from a stove. The half dozen residents
of the old prison grounds fought heroical-
ly but could not subdue the flames. The
keepers finally had thrilling escape. The
loss is $50, 900, q fourth of which is COW
cred by insurance. 1t was the site
the old prison for Confederate soldiers.
ROPES OF BED CLOTHES.
4 Chicago, December 25.-This morning
for the third time, flames destroyed the
building of the Quadrangle club of the
University of Chicago. There were seven
persons in the building OF the time and
all escaped. Two of them, however, were
more or less hurt. The Janitor and his
wife were asleep on the third floor when
the fire broke out and without stopping to
dress, they made q rope of the bed clothes,
as tho escape to the stairway was cut off, /,
and lowered themselves safely out of the
window. The loss on the building will
amount to $4,000. The Quadrangle club
is composed of professors and post g1adu-
ate students of the university. The build
ing, it is said, was owned by the univer-
sity and the loss will fall on the institu-
tion. The club, however, will lose heavily
in the furnishings.
THREE FIREMEN BADLY HURT.
Chicago, December 25.-Three shremen
were injured, one fatally and two serious
ly and $l25,000 damage was done by q
fire which broke out early this morning
in the six story building, Fifth avenue
and Monroe street, occupied by the
Knickerbocker Shirt company and num-
Der of other concerns. The injured are:
Captain Dennis MoSweeney, fell from
sixth story, where roof collapsed; in
jured fatally.
John Kenney, truckman; badly cut
with glass.
James McCamobr1dge. pipeman; arm
broken.
A LEWISTON BLAZE.
Lewiston, December 25-Fire was dis
covered at 10 minutes past this morn
ing In the coal and wood yard of Wood
& Wakefield, on Court street, Auburn,
and after hard fight by the Auburn
fire department it WAS got under control
and finally subdued. The fire started in
the corner near the engine aud boiler and
was evidently communicated to the
building from the fire there. The build
ing and contents were completely de-