Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1902-02-13
ELEVEN LIVES LOST
PERISH IN BLAZING LODGING
HOUSE AT ST. LOUIS.

Man- Escaped Death by Jumping
from Windows or Climbing Down
Ropes Made of Bed Clothes-Firc
Gets Good Start Before Discovered.
st. Louis, Feb. 10.-An early morn
Ing fire, which destroyed the Empire
hotel, large three-story lodging
house, at 200 and 27O2 Olive street,
occupied by men exclusively, caused
the death of IL people, ten men and
one woman, and dangerously injured
eight others. A dozen or more who
had narrow escapes from death re-
ceiyed less serious injuries or were
frost bitten. 1t is estimated that there
were between 35 and 40 persons in
the building last night and it is be-
lieved all have been accounted for.
It is thought that $4,000 will cover
the damage to building and contents,
which were totally destroyed.
The dead: Morris Yall Tobe Davis,
John G. Leuders, George Thompson,
Sarah Harris, B. F. Woodley, ]. A.
McMullen, S. T. Corey, Vance Martin,
A. j. Allen, unknown man.
The fire started about $3.50 a. M,
when but few persons were aboard
and gained considerable headway be-
fore it was discovered and the alarm
given. When the engines reached the
scene the whole front of the building
was in flames and the interior was a
seething furnace. BY that time all
who escaped death had gotten out of
the building by jumping from the
windows or climbing down ropes
made of bed clothes. Some of the es-
capes were very narrow. Almost
everybody who got out suffered i'm
mediate injury or was frost bitten
The guests barely had time to get
out when aroused, the flames had
clothing, which they carried in their
hands, but others were not so fortu-
nate, losing everything. After some
delay nearby houses We're opened to
the unfortunates and they were given
shelter from the biting cold weather.
1t was one of the coolest nights of
the winter. the ground being covered
with ice and snow, and everyone suf-
fered from exposure. The suffering
ones were put under the care of ply
sicians. Harry Cline, Walter John
son, Henry Robinson and an unknown
man, who died later. were taken to
the city hospital.
After short fight the firemen got
the flames under control and made a
search of the ruins. The first body
found was that of John G. Lueders,
who was killed by jumping from the
third story. His head was crushed in.
Sarah Harris, the colored chamber.
maid. was found on the first floor
Her body had been burned. The re.
mains of the other victims were found
In their rooms. where they suffocated
or burned. j. "a ally, who manages
the house for mis- brother-in-law, j
w. Gillian, had rooms on the first floor
He was awakened by hearing Con
Ryan, one of the roomers, crying
fire" Lally said he grabbed his
clothing and money and hurried into
the hall which was then ablaze. and
then, without stopping to dress
stepped out through the front door
Both stairways were on fire and he
barely had time to get out. being
scorched and straining his back
George Lane, Con Eyan and a man
named Niesely escaped the same way
The only way for the others who got
out alive was through the windows
the burning stairways cutting off their
escape that way. Some jumped, and
sustained injuries more or less serious
while others who took time to impro
wise ropes from their bed clothing got
down safely.