Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1898-12-01
FOUND IN THE RUINS
Two Bodies Recovered From
the Baldwin Hotel.
FIREMEN SAY THERE ARE MORE
Several Persons Are Still Missing
Removal of the Debris-Plans
for Rebuilding.


body of j. NJ. Leighthead was removed
from the ruins of the. Baldwin hotel to-
day. The body was discovered in the
bathroom adjoining his apartment, cit
ting in chair, almost as natural as
life. 1t was partially burned and
blackened by smoke, but was easily
recognizable. 1t is supposed he fell
asleep in the chair and was overcome
by smoke before the flames commenced
to eat at his flesh.
Late this afternoon, an unrecOgni2-
able body. supposed to be that of a
woman, was recovered from the ruins
OF the theater. The belief that there
are more bodies still in the ruins is
gaining cIedence, and the firemen to-
day reported that a terrible odor, such
as follows the incarceration of flesh, is
gradually becoming apparent. This is
particularly true in the debris on the
Ellis-street side, where it is believed
persons were lost whose identity is un-
known, and who were not included in
the list of guests.
-Four persons are known to be mis-
sing. They are John J. Carter asso-
ciate judge of the Jockey Club Tate
Pryor, sheetwriter for Bookmaker J. J.
Carroll; Mr.. Andrews, cashier of the
Baldwin Grotto; W. W. Benchley, an
employe OF the restaurant.
Arrangements for the removal of the
debris are being carried on under the
supervision of the fire department, and
already much valuable property has
been recovered.
The hotel safe, containing many valu-
ables belonging to guests, has been To-
Gated. and the work of Fighting it,
preparatory to opening it, is being
prosecuted as rapidly as it's dangerous
position will admit. Over $50, 900 be-
longing to horsemen is in the safe.
The work of clearing away the ruins
will commence rs the ruins cool enough
to permit workmen to go ahead with
the contract.
The disposition of the site of the old
Baldwin is an interesting one, and
there are dozens of rumors connecting
different capitalists and concerns with
the erection OF structure to cover the
RACED hotel and the popular Baldwin
theater.
The fire department now believe the
flames originated in the hotel kitchen,
but the police are convinced that they
started in the rear of the Baldwin thea
ter. There were many narrow escapes
from death, and the marvel is how the
many guests of the hotel succeeded in
escaping within the short time afforded
them, as the spread of the flames was
remarkably rapid.
A. Ii. Christie, Of Milwaukee, was
rescued from perilous position on the
roof by Fireman Ed Keno. When res
cued Mr.. Christie had razor in his
hand, with the determination to kill
rather than plunge into the
seething flames that ragged beneath
him.
W. A. Ballard, a merchant of Scran-
ton, Pa, was bereft of all his clothes
and papers.
Aaron Bumenthal and Joseph Sum-
book makers, who registered
from Chicago, occupied rooms in the
L
street entrance. Both of them escaped
in ther pajamas and are glad to be alive.
Royal Scott, who represents Mar
shall, Field q Co., of Chicago, was
awakened as soon as the alarm was
sounded through the house, when he
dressed and escaped He returned
within few minutes to secure some of
his belongings, but was driven back by
the dense smoke.
immigration Commissioner w. M.
Rice, of Victoria, b. G., who had
room on the fourth floor of the hotel,
had very close call, but succeeded in
reaching the street in safety.
The entire scenic and mechanical
effects and wardrobe of the Secret
Service company were destroyed by
fire. Manager Robert M. Eberle esti-
mates the loss at $4,000. Mr.. Gillette
will take the California theater Mon
lay evening and play out his engage.
nent there.
f. j. Baldwin said today that the
ire meant loss to him of about 3d.
500, 600, as he had expended that
AMOUNT in building, altering and fur
lishing the hotel.
Fire Marshal Towe declares that the
structure was death trap, and says
hat no such himsy structure shall
gain be erected in the heart of the city.
E. j. Baldwin's property in this city
md Los Angeles. with the exception OF
| small part Of the Santa Anita ranch,
s covered by a blanket mortgage which
alls for the payment of debt of ST.
25, 600 with interest at 61s per cent a
ear, except that money loaned on
property in the city of Los Angeles is
o bear s per cent year.
About 100000 of the mortgage
overs the Baldwin hotel property, and
he opinion is entertained that the site
lone is worth at least 100000 over
he mortgage.
The insurance on the stocks of goods
n the burned stores and their fittings
rill amount to 500, $50. George A.