The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-10-29

anu the remainder were cuSLOInerS
and outside workmen who were en-
gagged in putting the finishing touches
on the new eighth floor. More than
half of the firms employees were on
the upper five floors, and it was
among these that the greatest number
was killed and injured. With the
possible exception Of the engineer,
who is missing, all the persons on
the first three floors got out Of the
building safely. The members of the
firm had their offices on the third
floor and their familiarity with the
exits was all that saved them from
suffocation. Mr.. Wilkinson said the
smoke came up the stairway and the
elevator shaft in such great volumes
that he and Mr.. Hunt had much diff
ficulty in reaching the street.
Cut of From Fire Escape.
Most Of those killed were at work
On the sixth floor where women were
engaged in sewing. They were at
work in the zeal Of the building close
to the fire escapes and become con.
fused by the great quantity Of smoke
that rushed up through the building.
1t was reported that goods were stor-
ed against the windows which pre-
vented the women from getting out
on the fire escpaes, but this was posi-.
lively denied by a member of the
firm.
Foreman Was a Fireman.
On the seventh floor there were
twenty upholsters at work and
thanks to the great presence of mind
of the foreman of the floor, who is an
official Of the volunteer fire depart
ment at Mount Holly, N. j., all es-
capped nnhurt. AS soon as he learned
Of the fire he m%arshaled his men and
led them through the thick smoke
down the stairway and safely into the
street.
Jumped From Eighth Story.
There were eleven employees and a
number Of outside workmen on the
eighth floor. A ladder reached from
this floor to the roof which would
have enabled those on that floor to
reach the roof OF an adjoining eight
story building, but in the excitement
this means Of escape was forgotten.
Several made terrible leap to the side
walk and We're crushed while the 9th,
ers ran the gauntlet of smoke and
fire down the rear fire escape.
Among those on the eighth floor
who jumped and were killed were
H. A.. Sparrow, an expert electrical
contractor, and Chas. r. Sparrow, his
nephew and assistant. A colored scrub
woman also jumped from this floor
and was crushed on the street.
Arrival Of Firemen.
1t was exactly 1920 o'clock this
morning when Howard F.. Street, a
young man employed by Hunt, Will.
kinson & Co., observed flames shoot.
ing up the elevator shaft from the
basement. He was on the second
floor and Immediately gave the alarm
to the other employees. He then has.
tened to the street to notify a police.
man. In the meantime the employees
of the electrical bureau at the city
hall two blocks away, saw smoke is.
suing from the building and transmit.
ted an alarm to the fire department
When the engines arrived the flames
had enveloped the building from tor
to bottom and the intense heat from
this terrifying mass Of flames made il
almost impossible for the firemen tc
get within close range of the seethine
furnace.
Work Of Rescue.
Ignoring the flames for the time be
ing the brave fire fighters devoted
their whole attention to the work OF
rescue. AS some of them stood with
in the scorching heat of the fire with
nets outspread to receive those who
leaped from the burning building theil
comrades played lines of hose upor
them. When their work in this re
spect was ended many of the firemer
were completely exhausted
Street Filled With Victims.
Most Of the fatalities occurred II
the rear Of the building. AS If by
common impulse the majority of the
employees attempted to reach places
Of safety by means Of the fire escape
on the Commerce street end Of thu