New-York tribune., 1900-05-17
DARING RESCUES AT HOTEL FIRE
THREE PERSONS BURNED TO DEATH AMI
FIVE EXPECTED TO DIE IN CHICAGO
DISASTER

Chicago. May 1s-Three persons killed and
fifteen injured In fire which early to-day
destroyed the Hotel Helene No. 40 to ia FYr,v
tnird-st. Five Of the injured persons VIII probably
die. The dead
MHADDIN c.. who vas taken badly burned
PETERSON Charlotte dining girl: found in her
burned 20 death
PEARSON Lena found bur7ed almost beyond rscoz-
milton In with the rstersoa girl
Those seriously injured are w E Horn burned
about face and hands and body. leg broken. will
probably die: E F. Tarbux. burned abou,
body. recovery doubtful; Elizabeth Florence
internally injured and skull fractured. unconscious
recovery doubtful: e y. Allen. both ankles sprained
and internally injured In Jumping from third story
window; Mrs. T. d. Allen. back broken and In
ternaly injured. jumped from, third story window
will probably die: Stella Neilwolsk chambermaid
Jumped from first door overcome by smoke and
injured internally: Sarah Hutchinson high school
teacher. injured in falling from second floor.
The loss to the building and furnishings
$4,000. In connection with the destruction OF the
hotel there were daring and escapes
In which James Mcneil earned the title OF hero.
He was porter IN the hotel and the first 20 warn
the sleeping occupants OF their danger. He car
ried Helen Joseph down swaying ladder from tas
third floor. and then. amid the cheers OF the n
lockers returned to the second floor where a
woman lying unconscious, her clothing fire.
He carried her to the window and dropped her
into the of a policeman The effort and the
heat too much Tor Mcneil, ard he staggered
back into the smoke. Those below thought he was
lost A policeman mounted 70 the shoulders OF
brother officer and. clambering over the window
ledge. caught Mcneil by the feet and dragged aim
from the room Mcneil passed down 10 the
ground and recovered consciousness.
The rescue of a woman and her baby aroused the
enthusiasm of the crowd. Mrs. Bruce. with one
around her infant. was clinging with the other
the ledge OF a second story window Smoke
pouring out. and Mrs. Bruce seemed the
point OF falling. Her fingers were relaxing when
suddenly three policemen. carrying a blanket held
taut among them rushed into the flames. which
were then darring I. the basement windows Just
in time to catch the and her child saving
badly burned, but had succeeded protecting her
baby.
There were many other narrow escapes and ex-
hibItIcns OF courage during the burning OF the
structure. as there was Only one entrance 70 the
building which compelled the greater number of the
guests TO make their exit As best they could
through the windows. The rescueS were nearly
all accomplished before the firernen arrived. The
hotel been compelled to await the arrival OF the
hook ard laGdcr company more lives would have
lost. The pOlicefp@Ii and others The ground
early however were able secure ladders from
paint store nearby, and by this means saved many
of the occupants from death
The fire started In the basement. and spread with
the greatest rapidty But for the heroic action Of
Mcneil every person in TIE building would un-
spectators united I'm one voice in prsistng Mcneil
He formerly gunner In the English navy on
board the batIleShip DreGdnaU Usht ana holds medals
fer craftsmanship and proficiency in drilling ne
took part in the Jameson raid. ana u was while
IN South Africa that he contracted the Illness
that compelled him TO secure discharge