The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-09-24
ALL ESCAPE CUT OFF.
Many Persons Are Penned In by
Flames in Toledo, o.
Spontaneous Combustion Causes q
big Elevator 40 Burn-Ten Lives
Are Lost-Nnny Are Injured
and some May Die.

Toledo, o., Sept. 21.-Ten persons
cremated, eight more fatally burned
and eight seriously injured is the rec
ord of the most disastrous fire that
ever occurred in Toledo. The spon-
taneous combustion of dust in the
grain elevator owned by Paddock,
Hodge 81 CO.. Tuesday night caused
this terrible destruction of life. and
none of those who were taken out
after the fire started was far enough
from deaths door 10 tell any of the
horrible details.
List OF the victims.
DEAD-samuel Alexander Fred Garrett
Bert Wainwright. Harold Parks. John
Smith. Grace Parks. Frank Van Housen,
John Carr. William Parks. and an UNI
known man.
INJURED-David Kemp. Barney WEIGH
Charles Keller, Fred Pargills. - Elliott
Charles Brookseeker, Everett Smith. Ham
ilton Parks w c. Jordan. Peter Haas. Al
Baldie and three others. names unknown
city shaken.
At $3.50 the people of East Toledo
were startled by terrific explosion,
which caused a panic all over the
neighborhood. Houses were shaken
as in an earthquake, and windows
were shattered for blocks around.
Those in the vicinity of the Union ele-
yator soon noticed flames bursting
from all sides Of the building. 1t was
but few minutes till the fire depart
ment Of the city began the work of
rescue, which was rendered difficult
by the terrific heat OF the fire. The
river cut Oft escape on one side, and
there the flames seemed TO be less
fierce. The families of dozen men
who were known 10 be at work within
rushed 10 the scene, and women call
ing for their imprisoned husbands,
brothers and fathers, made n scene in
describable.
FriEhtfuIIy burned.
II wis learned that the force OF 90
men expected to load $4,000 bushels OF
grain during the night. Not one of
the entire number could be seen in any
part Of the building, and IL was impos-
sibe 10 reach them in any way. Will
liam Parks was found first. He was 20
feet from the building, frightfully
burned and his clothing almost entire
~ torn off He had been literally
hurled from his place In the main room
through window, and his agonizing
cries were most pitiful. Another en-
ploye, John Carr. was hurled from the
fifth floor OF the building and was
found bleeding and burned, with many
bones broken. lie did not long survive
Fireman David Kemp and Charles
Keifer, the engineer, were found at
their places in the engine-rooms. They
were wounded by falling timbers and
their faces were charred 20 crisp by
the flames.
The little daughter OF William Parks
was sitting at the desk in the Office Mt
the time Of the explosion, and she was
hurled out Of the door. She walked
down the elevation on which the build
ing stands and dropped down, 10 be
carried away unconscious, suffering
from wounds from which she cannot
recover.
John Smith was fatally burned. He
was literally disemboweled and was
taken TO a hospital 10 die. The missing
men are doubtless all dead. Notrace
can be found Of any OF them. and MS
they were employed at the top Of the
elevator their chances for escape were
bnt slight.
Hard work for Tircmcn.
The heat became so intense that 90
cars standing on sidings near the burn.
ing building were added TO the loss.
Tie fire department had a hard strug-
gle 10 save other elevators and prop
erty.
The bridge across the Maumee river
was on fire several times. but outside
the loss Of the elevator the damage
Is slight.
The Losses.
Mr.. Paddock, a member Of the firm
owning the plant, said that there was
between 100000 and 6OO,0O0 bushels OF
! grain in storage at the time, most OF
Il being winter wheat. The property
and the grain Is an entire loss and will
reach $4500O0. The Insurance is $685.
900 on the building. ard the grain is
covered with $25s,000.
At12:20 o'clock the flames were fully
under control.
NOT 0VERESTIMATED.