The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1900-05-24
HOTEL BLAZE.
CHICAGO DISASTER RESULTS IN
DEATH OF THREE PEOPLE.
ID SERIOUSLY INJURED,
Early Morning ConfaRration Destroys
Hosteiry In the windy City-several
Gallant Rescues Were Reported, the
Heroes In which were y Porter and
Several Policemen.

Chicago, ILL.,, Especial. )-Three persons
were killed and ID were injured In n fire
which destroyed the Hotel Helene, at 110 to
ia Fifty-third street. Five OF the injured
will probably die.
The dead: Charlotte Peterson, dining-room
girl found in her room, burned to crisp.
Lena Pearson, found burned almost beyond
recognition In room with Miss Peterson. $.
G. McNaddin.
The seriously injured; W. T.. Horn. burned
about face and hands and body, leg broken,
will die; Il. L. Tarbux, lurned about the
body, recovery doubtful; Elizabeth Florence,
internally injured and skull fractured, un-
conscious, recovery doubtful; L. b. Allen,
both ankles sprained and internally injured
in jumping from third-story window; Mrs.
4. Allen, back broken and internally injured,
jumped from thIrd-story window, will die
Helen Joseph, badly bruised and overcome
by smoke; Stella Nellwolski, chambermaid,
jumped from first fioor overcome by smoke
and injured internally; l.. James Mcneil,
porter, burned about face; Sarah Hutchin-
son. high school teacher, injured in falling
from second floor; James Costin, fireman,
cut by falling glass; Mrs. Bruce and baby,
overcome by smoke; Thomas Morgan, police
man, back injured and Mrs. Adelia Lawson,
badly bruised.
The loss to the building and furnishings
was $4,000.
The destruction of the hotel was replete
with daring rescues and narrow escapes, in
which James Mcneil earned himself the title
OF hero. He was u porter in the hotel and
the first 10 warn the sleeping occupants ol
their danger. He carried Helen Joseph down
swaying ladder from the third floor, and
then. amid the cheers OF the onlookers, re-
turned to the second floor. where n woman
was lying unconscious, her clothing on fire
He carried her to tho window and dropped
her into the arms of Policeman Wolf.
The effort and the heat we're too much fol
Mcneil, and he staggered back into the
smoke. The people below thought he
was lost. A policeman mounted to the
shoulders of brother officer, and, clamb.
ering over the window ledge, caught Nc
Neil by the feet and dragged him from the
room. Mcneil was passed down to the
ground and soon recovered consciousness.
The rescue OF woman and her baby
aroused the enthusiasm of the crowds
Mrs. Bruce, with one arm around her infant
was clinging with the other arm TO the ledge
OF q second-story window Smoke was
pouring out and Mrs. Bruce seemed to be on
the point OF falling. Her fingers were re.
laxing, when suddenly three policemen
carrying a blanket held taut among them
rushed into the flames, which were then
darting from the basement windows, just in
time to catch the woman and her child, saw
irg them from almost certain death. Mrs
Bruce was badly burned but had succeeded
in protecting her baby. There were many
other narrow escapes and exhibitions oi
courage during the burning of the structure
as there was only one entrance to the build
ing, which compelled the greater number oi
the guests 10 make their exits as best they
could through the windows.
The rescues we're nearly all accomplished
before the flremen arrived. The blaze spread
30 rapidly that had the people in the hote
been compelled to await the arrival OF the
hook aud ladder company, more lives would
have been lost. The policeman and others
on the ground early, however, were able to
secure ladders from paint store nearby
and by this means saved many of the guests
from death.
The fire started in the basement and
spread with the greatest rapidty. But for
the heroic action OF Porter Mcneil every
person in the building would undoubtedly
have perished.