The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-05-06
The Most Reckless City In the World Ap-
pa!led BY the Great Fire.
PROBABLY l43 PERSONS WERE BURNED
The Death List Is Even Longer Thnu
ut First Thought narrowing
EScnpes-An American VDmnn.s
Terrible Experiences.
Paris, May 5.

A sombre feeling pervades every class
of society. The newspapers. without ex-
ception, describe the disaster at the
Grand Bazaar Och arty In the sober and
simple terms befitiing so appalling an
event. The catastrophe will always bo
remembered as one or the most fearful
that ever befell a European city.
Nothing comparab bic In loss Of life has
ever occurred here, eXcep; the fire which
destroyed the Opera Comique In 1887
S.ngulary enough. that disaster happen
ed In the same month of the year and
eighty persons were burned to death,
while 10 were officially registered as mis-
sing.
SOCIAL FUNCTIONS GIVEN UP.
In ar!stocratic circles the numberless
dinner pa:ties and other functions Of q
gly opening season have been abandon-
ed.
1t Is now estimated that there were
In the neighborhood of 1900 persons In
The building when the fire was discover
ed. about one-half of whom escaped un-
hurt. Some estimates place the number
or dead at 143, others at still higher
| figure
The amount Of administrative negi-
gence surrounding the catac;rophe is al
most inconceiv bile. The structure was
| so combustible that many OF the victims,
| 4 not most OF them. have been burned
alive. without sufrocation. No sort OF
Inspection seems TO have been made In
advance by the municipal or police au-
| thorites or by the project Of police.
AN AMERICAN WOMAN'S ESCAPE.
Mrs. r. B. Glmour. Of New York. had
q narrow escape. She had consented to
act as sales woman at the stall Of
Nine. Costa Beau:egard.
| She left the Hotel Terminus, where she
was taying, about half-pnst one, accom-
panied by the Vicomtesse Savlgny. Tho
sale was going on we'll, when suddenly
her maid cried:
Madame, Sauvez vous. VOLTA le feu."
(Madame, save yourself There's lire.)
Mrs. Gilmour with wonderful pres
ence of mind, rushed toward the main
entrance. but seeing the danger OF being
tramDled to death. she ran back to the
rear of the building, where she saw 4
window that opened In the wall through
which she soon reached the street.
BLIND CHILDREN BURNED.
Mgr Clari. the Pnpal nuncio. who had
attended 10 pronounce his blessing upon
the bazaar. says he was talking TO the
Huchcsse d'Alencon at ten minutes to
O'clock. lie adds:
Around me was group Of hind
children. Several Of these must have
perished. My heart is bleeding to think
OF all those poor creatures. II is too
horrible to speak o. My nerves are in q
terrible state"
DIR. Nachtel. who has directed the
ambulance work says that the number
OF bodies found gives q very Inadequate
idea Of the number Of victims, as doz-
ems were burned completely to ashes
he Ficnmte Damas Identified his
wife's body by q piece OF hair cloth
which she wore next to her skin as
member Of the Third Order Of ST.
Francis.
NJ Jean Rahaelli. the painter, says:
MY daughter had the mark Of heel
stamped in her back. She was tram
pied on In the heap near the main en-
trance. Her mother tried to pull her
from the blazing fire, but she said 1T
Is useless; save yourself as shall die
In any case Her mother replied, i
shall! not leave you. I will take you or
stay and die with you Beth escaped,
though severely burned
The Able Marriott says that the Com
her two daughters, failed to find them,
and perished herslf.
THE PROJECTS EXCUSE.
NJ. Lepine. the Prefect of Police who
Is severely censured for lack Of proper
supervision Of the preparatory arrange
ments says In excuse that the patron
AMI patroncsses of the bazaar were re-
with their programme. that they would
say he was trying TO suppress a Roman
Catholic enterprise.
I.OCAI. BREYITIEs.