The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-01-07

! from the front windows of the store.
and very little from the upper windows.
KEROSENE CAUSES THE DEATHS.
The loss Of life might have been en-
tirely averted had it not been for the
fact that Immediately above the stairs
was forty-fiVe-gallon kerosene tank
When the flames reached this there was
one big puff of smoke, and it was this
that spread throughout the hotel .por-
ton of the building. AS this smoke rush-
ed out of the windows it appeared as if
a great conflagration must be raging on
the inside. The smoke was white and
very thick.
VAIN FIGHTS FOR E1FE
1t was at this stage of the fire that
the people on the outside commenced to
realize that human beings were battling
for their lives inside of the building
Cries of help could now be heard in Vari-
Gus parts of the hotel, and one man was
seen making, a vain endeaVor to raise a
window on the third fooor Some one
cried to him TO break the window, crash
followed, and a shower of glass fell to
the pavement. The man was seen for
only moment as overcome by the
smoke that rushed to the open window.
he fell back into the room, lifeless. The
smoke was so dense that the tiremen
were unable to battle against it, and it
was at least ten minutes after the first
big burst of smoke that it had cleared
away enough to permit the firemen to
enter the building No fire was found
above the store, but everything was thor
oughly drenched, as a great quantity of
water had been poured in.
SEVERAL HAD NARROW ESCAPES
Several of the dodgers had thrilling ey-
capes. The most sensational was that of
Harry Cotton, who jumped from the rear
Of the third flood Cotton recognized that
every way was closed to him, and step -
ping out on the window sill he jumped.
He caught a wire on his downward
flight, and the fall was in a measure
broken although his hands were badly
cut. From the wire he plunged through a
skylight. He was picked up by an Off
Ger and taken to the patrol wagon and
removed to the city hospital. He was
able to leave that institution yesterday
afternoon.
John Banghart was the only lodger
who managed to save his effects. He
was on the main floor of the hotel and
when the alarm of fire was given ne
proceeded to pack his trunk, after which
he placed it on his back and rushed down
the rear stairway.
Pat Nichols had a room on the top
floor, the most dangerous place in the
building. He did not stop to dress. but.
grabbing some of his effects rushed down
the stairs. He had three flights 10 go
down. and it was just at the time that
the smoke was the most dense. He was
several times nearly overcome, but bat
tied bravely against the smoke, and
managed to reach the outside. Like
many of the other dodgers, who had made
their way out in the scantiest of attire,
Nichols was for some time in a dilemma.
They stood around on the street in their
underclothing, and were suffering in
tensely from the cold, when the saloon
at 113 was opened, and it was possible
for the men to take more comfort. Some
had taken outer garments along, but
others had not These later unfortun-
ates were supplied by dodgers in a near
by hotel after which they went to other
lodging houses.
HIS STORY IS DOUBTED.
A man who gave his name as Oscar
johnson said that he had a room on the
fourth floor, and being caught by the
smoke, jumped from a rear window The
man said he alighted on his feet, and
did not suffer the slightest injury.
Charles Hanson yesterday recovered $6
in coin that he had LEFT in a rair of pants
in his room He found the pants yes
terday afternoon, but when he picked
them up they fell apart as if so much
dust. The room was near the oil tank,
and was slightly burned The six silver
dollars, blackened, were found.
LIVED IN NEW BOSTON
Nathaniel Perley lived with his family
of wife and two daughters, at 2436 Pierce
street northeast. They did not know of
the death OF Mr.. Perley until yesterday,
when the sad news was broken to them
by Rev. William Wilkinson. They had
read the account of the fire, but as the
name was given Nat Perley, they did
not recognize it. 1t was his custom
to lodge down town on certain nights. A
week ago Mr.. Perley took out an insur-
ance policy in the name of his wife. The
remains will be taken to Illinois for in
terment tomorrow night. A service will
be conducted in Gleasons undertaking
rooms by Rev. w Wilkinson.
ABOUT THE DEAD MEN.
c. ]. Skidmore was employed at the
Pillsbury IA mill as an oiler. He has
a young son, whom friends are giving an
education A brother at Plainview,