The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-11-24
HEROlSM OF A. J. WHITE
SAVED THREE WOMEN'S LIVES
AND LOST HIS OWN.
THE HOTEL AN OLD WOODEN FIRE TRAP
300 People in il When the Fire Broke Out at
3.25A. NJ. Two Lives Lost. Ex-
plosions in Theatre. Damage
bother Buildings.

San Francisco, CAL, Nov. 23.-At 80
this morning the Baldwin Hotel caught
fire, and it has been entirely destroyed.
There were 800 people, guests and en-
ployes, in the hotel when the fire broke
out, and two of these people are thought
to have lost their lives. 4. j. White and
a man named Meyer are the victims.
Before White gave up his life. he saved
the lives of three women. The fire is
said to have started in the kitchen, To-
Gated in the basement on the Ellis street
side. The fire worked its way up
through the flue to the sixth floor, and
before the 9ire alarm was sent in the
fire had gained great headway.
For years the Baldwin has been re-
garded by the fire department as the
most dangerous fire trap in San Fran
cisco. Built of wood, six stories high,
with narrow and tortuous Railways. it is
a wonder that half of the people in the
hotel this morning escaped. They were
slow TO wake. Many were dazed and
Supplied by smoke when the police, the
firemen and hotel employees, hurrying
through the Railways kicked open doors
and notified the people of their great
danger When they managed 10 reach
the windows and fire escapes, there were
no ladders. Many attempted TO jump
from the windows To the street. but
they were warned not TO do so by the
crowds below Then the firemen got up
their ladders and commenced taking peo-
ple 10 the ground. rescuing many in this
manner. In the interior of the hotel
an explosion in the theatre caused that
portion Of the building TO cave in. This
explosion also extingnishesl the electric
lights throughout the building.
CROUCHING on THE CORNICE.
Those in the street below could see
through the riffs in the smoke, along
the attic cornices, forms of men and
women crouching and clinging to the
woodwork which was already begin
ming 10 shoulder.
Streams from thirty engines were be.
ing poured upon the blazing building
from every point of vantage, but with
ont any apparent effect. Explosion fol
lowed explosion.
The death of White was most dra-
matte. Three women appeared on the
cornice of the fifth floor on. the Market
street side of the hotel The firemen
Iould not reach them. Suddenly White
came ont Of a window carrying a small
rope. With this he lowered the women
into the arms of the firemen who were
waiting at the windows of the next floor
Then he started down the rope hand
over hand. Half way down the rope
parted and the man who had just saved
three lives was dashed to the pavement
100 feet below.
Lucky Baldwin" had a narrow es
cape from perishing in his fire-trap.
Amid all the din he slept peacefully
until his room was broken into and he
was dragged from bed.
H. J. kowatsky. a wel-known attor.
ney, was also dragged unconscious from
bed. He will recover.
The Baldwin Hotel has been known
and dreaded for years by firemen and
insurance people as the worst kind of a
fire-trap. 1t has been stated often that
there We're no fire walls in it except
those enclosing the theatre, and that nc
insurance company would write risk
on the building except for small
amount and heavy premium.
The building of the hotel began il
1873 and was finished in 1877. its tota
cost including ground and furniture be
ing S3,000,000.
THE THEATRE DEMOLISHED.
In the building was the Baldwin
Theatre. The street floor of the i'm
mense building was occupied by the hote
offices, bar-room and n number OF
stores. In the basement was an elabor
ately fitted cafe.
T.. J. Baldwin stated to-day that h,
carried 100000 insurance but he coult
not remember in what company.
The Baldwin Theatre was completely
demolished by the falling of the fiftl
floor. The entire effects of the "Secret
Service" Company, which was filling al
engagement at that theatre, were de.
strOyed.
A great deal of jewelry and money be.
longing to members of the company were
lost, in addition to many contracts
burned.
The Columbia Theatre and places of
business opposite the Baldwin were
damaged by water TO the extent of S15.-
600. r. J. Baldwin is prostrated and
unable to tell much about his affairs.
He says he will not be able to estimate
his loss for several days. H. w. Iuke
manager of the hotel. barely managed to
get ont with his wife and child. He
said there were 302 guests in the build
ing