The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-03-19
RICHMOND PEOPLE THERE.
TN Peril at the Windsor Hotel Fire
Mrs ROscnthal Injured

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There were several persons we'll known
in Richmond stopping at the Windsor
Hotel when the terrible tragedy occurred,
though most fortunately only one was
injured.
Colonel C. OBJ. Cowardin, his wife and
son. and Mr. Alex. Meyer, OF julius Mey-
ors Sons. were registered there, but were
in another portion OF the city when he
ire broke out Mr.. Meyers "wo
sisters, however. Mrs. Rosna Kosenthai
and Mrs. Josie Steiner. make their nome
al the hotel. and the former had very
narrow escape from death.
A letter received by Mrs Alex. Meyer
from her husband yesterday states
that Mis- ROseutnai was on the second
floor of the hotel when the fire broke
ont. and her escape was cut of.
Fortunately there was a coil OF rope
i'm the apartment. She tied the rope
around her waist secured the other end
ana swung herself from the window.
Mrs Rosenthai however was unable to
check the rapidity Of her descent. She
struck the ground with considerable
force. one of her limbs being broken
and her hands burned and cut by the
rope.
AIRS. Steiner was not in the hotel at
20 the occasion Mrs. Rosenthal was taken
to a nearby drug store when an ambu-
lance conveyed her. to Bellevue Hospital
Mr. Alex Meyer. who intended 10 re-
turn 10 Richmond that night, made an
attempt about This time 10 call up the
Windsor Hotel 60 tell his sisters To meet
him at the depot. and was told by the
Central office of the tre. He went AT
once 90 the hotel and at once tegan
search for Mrs. RosenthaL finally locat-
ing her Tn Bellevue. where she WAS rest
ing comfortably her injuries having been
attended 20. She will be removed to
private hospital.
Mrs. Steiner and Mrs. Rosenthai lost
everything except the clothes they were
wearing az ne time Of the fire. Mr.. Meyer
expects to return to Richmond this morn
ing.
Concerning the escape Of Mrs. Rosen-
thai. the New York Sun says:
Mrs. Josephine Krciger had been visit
ing Mrs. Rosina Rosenthal. who had
rooms on the sixth floor Of the hotel,
when the fire broke out She was on her
way downstairs when she saw the blaze
She rushed 10 the office, shouting "Firei"
She was the first to make known the fact
that the hotel was on fire. Mrs Krciger
started upstairs again 10 warn her friend.
She was stopped at the third floor, how
ever. by the smoke Mrs. Rosenthal es-
capped by sliding down to the street on
q rope from her window. Her hands were
badly lacerated and she received a
broken leg when she struck the ground. |
Several friends and relatives called at !
Bellevue 10 see Mrs. R0senthal Super |
intendent ORourke gave them permis-
sion % have trained nurse attend her
in the ward. as Mrs. Rosenthal had been |
suffering from nervous aHment for
three months. She had just left her sis /,
ter in the parlor and gone TO her room |
ON the sixth floor when the fire broke |
out Mrs. Rosenihai seized life rope |
and slid down until within about twenty |
feet from the ground. Then she let 90 J
and dropped. suffering a compound frac- 1
ture Of the ankle.
SIR. j. J.. Powell. Of this city who was 1
am eyewitness uf the fire. returned 10
Richmond yesterday morning. lie SAYS the |
scenes attendant upon % were thc most |
terrible and sickcnine he ever witnessed |
Women threw themselves hcadlong from /
window and were crushed 10 death on !
the paw 'ment bc-ow. one lady threw her
child ont and then jumped herself The !
little one fell into the flames and pcr-
shed while the mother was fatally in |
Iured by her fan.
Mr. ". j. Meyer. who is familiar with
he Windsor Hotel, says that iu bis opin.
on the great loss Of life was due 10 the
insufficient number Of exits. The interior
IS also fitted up with the greatest guam
lty Of costly drapery-au as inaammabe
.s possible.
The hotel was an immense rcG-brick
structure extending an entire block. n
Was more like a huge b0ardinr-house
han hotel. and was the resort of many
lf the best people of New York
other guests al the Inflated hotel who
are woll-known IN Richmond. we're Dr
md Mrs. II. NJ. Wharton. OF baltimore.
General j. G. Underwood of Kentucky. !
md Mr. j. II. Britton Of Fredericksburg. !
None of them we're injured