The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-10-29

fell downward. Tt took the roof Off tf1e
building and he could hear the cries
and screams of injured people Three
minutes later the third explosion, which
he said was the worst of ALL came. It
shook the building where he was and
debris fell about him.
Policeman Calvin was in the immedi-
ate vicinity of the fire when the first Of
the series of explosions occurred. He
said a number of firemen were blown to
death on the Warren street side of the
building. He said that he rescued one
of them. but that no one living could
have rescued the others.
200 LIVES LOST.
Policeman Calvin said that In his be-
lief not less than 200 persons will be
found to have lost their lives This
the explosion, which rendered it impos-
sible for anybody who was in the build
ing at the time to escape.
The force of the explosion was heard
and felt down to Wall street and heavy
plate glass windows We're smashed and
people thrown to the street a. distance
of four blocks.
The employees of the Irving National
bank, whose building stands directly
across the street from Tarrant's place,
were busily engaged at their desks at
the time of the explosion. The first of
the explosions came and not a clerk or
official of the bank but who was thrown
to the floor by the force Of the concus-
sion.
Thinking that the building was about
to fall several of the officials ran for the
cash and had it taken out of the build
ing and to a place of safety. The clerks
and other employees then made their
way to the sidewalk and ran for places
of safety.
Every available physician and ambu-
lance surgeon who could be reached was
called into service. and the various
stores which were not damaged by the
explosions We're turned into temporary
hospitals for the care Of the wounded.
ELEVATED BURNS.
It was only an instant after the first
of the explosions occurred when the ele-
waited structure caught fire Forum
ately there was no train in the immediate
vicinity at the moment The structure
was in a blaze for a distance of half a
block in less time than it takes to tell it.
Superintendent Skitt, of the Manhat-
tan railway company, hearing of the
trouble, hurried to the scene in person
and with a gang of employees directed
them in an effort to save as much of the
so great to the roadway that traffic can
not be resumed for some time to come.
John Weigand, who keeps a store at
AZ Park Place, three blocks from the
scene of the explosions and fire, said that
his windows were not only blown in
but that he was lifted clear from the
ground by the force of the conclusion.
The crowds which gathered about the
scene were SO great that the police were
for a time poWerIess to keep them in
order Several lines were established
but the people appeared to be so beside
themselves that they broke through and
sWamped the police All the available
reserves from neighbOring station houses
were called out and even then the
crowds appeared for a time to get the
better of them. Reserves ambulanceS
were blocked by the immense crowds
which gathered by the thousands
The building as it fell came out and
the elevated station was completely de-
molished and hidden from view by de-
bris Much of the elevated structure
was carried away.
SOME ESCAPED.
Joseph Beck, an employe Of Tarrant &
Co, was seen after the explosion. His
head was swathed in bandages and his
right arm hung limp. He said that there
We're about 200 girls in the building
Many of them escaped on the fire es
capes. There were at least rs, he said,
that could not possibly have gotten
away. The girls were all eating their
lunch at the time the fire started, he
said.
He said Tarrant & Co. carried a large
stock. There was also a quantity of al
cohOl and other explosive liquids stored
In the building. The building was also
used as a storage warehouse by R w
Pha3r & Co. who manufacture a patent
medicine. as well as W. J. Breitenbach
& Co, also manufacturers of medicines.
J. Dennison, the cashier Of the Irving