New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-12
GOETHE AT 4 FIRE.
HOW HE HELPED THE JEWS OF FRANK
FORT PUT OUT \ CONFLAGRATION.

From The Jewish Chronicle.
In connection with tn celebrations Of the
Goethe anniversary which have Just taken
place in most Of the large cities Of Germany an
incident is recorded Of an act Of kindly heroism
on the part of Goethe toward the Jews O,
Frankfort. His connection with the Jewish
quarter OF his native city is too well known %
all acquainted with the details of his life 10 need
any relation here, readers OF LeWess Life O
Goethe" may find there the significant fact tna'
the young poet spent 50 much time IN the u.
dengasse that h. acquired 50 full a knoWedgs
Of "Yddish" as to venture on writing a sh@
play in the dialect. II is therefore clear ths'
he must have numbered many friends IN INA.
part of the city. and il would afford matter
no incOnSiderabe interest To trace some OF theS
friendships
During the early years Of the eighteenth cei'
fury Frankfort was the victim Il several serIoA
outbreaks of fire. in the course ~ when hSA'
dreds of houses were destroyed ana many l4M.
lilies left destitute. In consequence ot the gs''
msfOrtunes the city experienced a terrible sea.
whenever smoke was seen or snelt, ana
custom arose up 10 announc" even the snl4"S,
outbreak by blowing of horns. ringing oi gs.A
beating of drums, Gathering Of hrecars ana d
that was available to attract attention u y.
dead of night, quite out of proportion 10 y.
danger. The youthful Goethe received "a
impressions of these records. which sank OK,
into his poetic and imaginative brain. Bu' "
ne was lTdcllCdl as wei a. NlidSllltNi'N N''E
lowing incident bears testimony. 49,
on May 30, l114-a sunday o"1
of the night, a fire broke out IN the !.
dengasse, by which twenty houses were ="
stroyed. 1t was the rule 20 leave the "V'A
extinction and assistance 10 the common
pie but Goethe knew no rank or Greco NJ
human life was in danger Notwithstanding
surely forgetting for the time. that he "S
son of a KaiserliCher Rath and himself az.
at law. though he wore fine clothes ahG
stockings, he rushed into The throng ana |'-ii
the army of helpers. His superior bearhs -
position did good work. He soon manage.
bring order into the band of eXtinguisnefs
up to this time had been running IN each V'I.
way by bringing the full buO kttS ana return |
with the empty ones through the SAM -
which had been made in a high wall Sepass
the Judcngasse from the Allvrheiligehs4~r
Goethe showed them better and quicker
through a narrow lane. At once the poor -,
rushed With their few rescued possess ohs o..
this same lane. and were greeted by the Dc
less mob with shouts of derislon. ana ue -
which was SO sorely needed e. "Nungulsh Wv -
was turned upon them. \ few words ron |
young Goethe put an end 10 all tins delieen
Goethe's action during the distress ue'd" IL
talk of the town. and many OF the poor
who did not even know his name. spoNe - - "A
praise Of the young gentleman protector
had saved them from the mob as well as u" ~
one OF these who inhabited the house, a.,
Plug" found after the fire number %
"Kreuzcr." which 10y reason Of the heat h1u
melted into a lump. In memory ~ ms Us
this lump" in which some OF the hreuI" ofaI
still distinctly visible and on which some I'll
stamping could hc traced. became a s"tl " ,sist
loom i'm the family. II was not till mann nsst
afterward that a grandson Of TINS ol" 81
liant Of the Judcngasse. who haI pened 81
schoo! fellow OF Ferdinand Killers. iea'nSvs Il
the "Dichtung ind Wahrheit' VINO vs..
young gentleman hero To whom ms .ors
owed a debt OF gratitude. The rene u tina
In possession Of the family at the prese"