The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1899-09-13

nearly four million dollars. Several
lives were lost, and number of per-
sons were seriously injured.
Toward the dusk of this day, when
the flames had begun to redden the
murky sky. District Chief John F.
Egan went up to the roof of one of
the largest buildings into which the
fire had crept, to open the valve of
the huge water-tank that stood tn ere.
He hoped to flood the lower floors,
aud thus save the main structure. An
employe of the house went with him.
Scarcely had the two men walked
out on the roof when portion of it
behind them fell in with fearful
crash, sending shower of sparks
high into the mir. Then arose vast
column of smoke, pierced by eager
tongues of flame. Egan saw in an in
stant that the stairway up which they
had come had fallen into the lower
fire.
"There's no hope in that direc-
tion," Egan shouted to his compan-
ion; "follow mel"
He walked to the very caves OF the
burning building, and called to the
crowd below for help. The people
were quick to see the predicament of
the two men, and tried frantically to
attract the attention of the fremen to
the pair; but the roaring of the en-
gines, the cracking of the flames and
the general tumult made their efforts
useless.
The flames were now rapidly ap-
preaching the men, and the heat was
becoming unbearable. In his desper-
alton Egan leaned over the edge of the
roof and hurled his hat down into O
group Of his men. Even this signal
failed.
"Shall We jump" faltered Egan's
young companion.
"Not yet" said the district chief;
''there's still one more hope. Well
60 over to the edgo above the other
street.-the building was on a corner
--"and see if we can't attract their
attention on that side. Some one
must see u.s."
"God grant they may!" said the
other, as they started toward the other
edge.
Having reached it Egan saw large
telephone cable running directly over
his head to building on the opposite
side of the street. They might climb
across by the cablel 1t was q desper-
ate chance, and none but fireman or
sailor would have dreamed of taking
it, but to Egan it meant fair hope Of
escape for at least one of them.
He turned to his companion. say
ing: "Climb out and save yourself!'
but stopped short, for the young man
had disappeared. 1t seemed certain
that he had fallen or plunged into the
fire that was now 30 close at hand.
With fervent prayer for help Egan
set about helping himself. He grasped
the cable aud swung ont over the
roof. Hand over hand he went,
dangling nearly hundred feet above
the pavement below, until he reached
point midway between the two build
ings. There he .stnck-he was not
strong enough to pull himself up the
slope to the other roof.
Dut IL ulo inunClts were Wehk, Ills
head was strong. He twisted his legs
and arms around the cable so as to
hold on for some time, for help must
surely come, he thought.
The gaze OF the vast crowds in the
street was now directed wholly to the
black figure clinging to the swaying
wire above. Frequently men turned
away in horror, ,shuddering, fearing the
man must drop, but now the fremen
saw the peril OF the chief. Plans for
his rescue were Immediately made.
The tallest ladder was raised in the
middle of the street; 1t failed by If
teen feet to reach Egan, Then an at
temptswas made to shoot the lifeline
over the cable, but there was no cart
ridge In the gun, and no ono could
tell where one was to be found.
When Egan had hung to the csble