Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-11-24

upwards of 800 guests in
the fire was discovered
Iaa seIss which followed beEgar
desc w!rrcFrttaaR -hei, Jstys>
and GIjler~h0tcl employees worked no.
bly, IN arousing the sleeping residents.
Most sanguinc hopes are expressed
that The loss Of life will not be added
To. but the indications are that the
death roll must increase.
When seen by an Associated Press
representative. T.. j. Baldwin. proprie-
tor and manager of the hotel, said that
he could not figure up his losses for
several days YET, but said that the in
surance was light in comparison to the
loss.
The insurance on the building may
| reach Sloo.coo. The insurance OF the
contents Of the building. SO far as
known. amounts to $4,000.
REGARDED AS !, FIRE TRAP. IL
For years the Baldwin has been re-
Sartlcd by the Fire Department as the
most dangerous fire trap in San Fran
riscu. Built of wood. six stories high.
Niih narrow ana tnrtuouS Railways. 1t
wonder that half Of the people In
lie iintel his morning escaped. In the
FIRST placed they We're slow to awaken.
Many ,,r.r, daZcd ana stupetied by the
smoke when the police. iiremen and ho-
tel employees hurryins through, the
Railways. kicked open doors and noti-
tied people of the great danger.
When they managed to reach win
lows and fire escapes there We're no
| ladders. Many attempted to jump from
the windows to the streets, but We're
warned not to do SO by the crowds be-
low Then the iircmcn got up their lad
dcrs and commenced taking people to
the ground rescl,ing many in this
manner .. M.
In the interior of the hotel. an ex-
ploson in the theatre caused that por-
ton of the building to cave in. This
explosion also cxtinguished the electric
lights throughout the building.
Those in the streets below could see
| through the riffs in the smoke along
the attic cornices. forms of men and
women crouchins and clinging to the
woodwork which WAS already Begin
ming to shoulder.
Streams from thirty engines were be-
! ing poured upon the blazing builulng
| from every point of vantage. but With
out amy apparent effect. Explosion fol-
| lowed explosion.
! ." DARING RESCUE.
| The death of White was most dramat-#
| ic. Three women appeared on the cor
nice of the fifth floor on the Market
street side of the hotel The firemen
,uuld not reach them, Suddenly White
came out of window. carrying small
rope. With this he lowered the women
into the arms Of the firemen. who were
waiting at the windows OF the next
iIoors. T!.2n he started down the rope.
rope partea aa;: ~ : . q had just
saved thres. lives $, s. hsb/,Io the
pavement one hudrefi'-. 2iy's/ -
Lucky Baldwin hao Il narrow es-
cape from perishng in his fire trap.
Amid all the din he slept peacefully
until his room was broken into and
he WAS; dragged from bed.
II. /. lIowatsky. a weil-known attor-
ney. was also dragged unconscious
from bed. He will recover.
| |. has; been often stated that there
were no fire walls in the building, ex-
c"pt those inclosing the theatre, and
that no insurance company would write
Il risk on the building, except for a
small amount and for heavy premiums.
\ COSTLY BUILDING.
The building of the hotel began in
| 1878 and was finished in 1877, its total
Icost. including ground and furniture.
being $4,000. 900.
The street floor of the immense build
nag was occupied by the hotel offices,
har-room and d number of stores:>
the bast.int.nt was an deliberately -
cafe. +. n Baldwin stated toda.-S
he carried Asloo,ooo insurance. 80
could not rtSnenahst--4ttts.ss'st con con-.
| WAS in
The Columbia Theatre and places 81
business opposite the Baldwin, We're
damaged by water to the extent OF
$1,000. M L .
) Z. J. Baldwin is Frustrated xsnd is
unable to tell much about his affairs
II. w. Luke. manager of the hotel
managed TO get out with his wife and
IN tho hotel.