Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-06-10
THIRTEEN LIVES LOST.

1ulfb66u lNco WCto AOoe euo oSNiO
OF persons we're injured 10 fire which
DEF troyed the old Woodruff Hotel, oc'
cupied as hospital by the st Luke
Society, ct Wabash Avenue and
Twenty-6rst street, IChicsgo, late yes-
terday ait ,rnoon. Ten OF the victims
were roasted alive Ia the fire, which
swept the FIVE floors Of the building 10
en- instant. One man Imped from q
fifth-story window and was instantly
killed.
The FIRE originated on the first floor
OF the building. and when discovered
It was beyond control. The bulldog
was q 6ve.story brick structure, and
las used ss hospital for persons ad-
dioted to strong drink and drugs.
There were sever ty patients In the
structure, which had been used bit q
shoit time by the society. These soon
became psDic-itricken. The attend
ants made efforts to quiet their wards,
but they were unsuccessful. The
patief t, who were able 10 do 80 were
soon rushing about the wards, and
many hurried to windows, which they
threw open.
They we're seen By crowds on the
street, who shouted words of warning
end encouragement to them, but the
words were without effect. The ir fam
mable material in the structure made
rapid fuel for the f'mes, which were
famed by O brisk wind. When the
fire department arrived the structure
was e.mass OF Fl imes, and an alarm for
extra engines was quickly turned 10.
Blind Alderman William Kent wss
one OF the vic'ims. His body was found
lying on the fl )or OF his room, burned
to a crisp. Most OF the bodies were
charred beyond recoRuiton. Many Of
the inmates OF the Institution were bad
ly burned before being rescued and two
wore seriously hurt by jumping from
the fourth story windows.
Many heroic rescues were performed
by the early arrivals at the fire. More
than thirty persons were carried down
the fire escapes. Mes, OF the resoures 8
were badly burned while dragging the
pstie0ts from the building.
Others were hnrt 10 the panic which
follow the discovery Of the fire. The
timely arrival of scores of spectstOr
who assisted in the work of rescue pre-
vel ted much greater loss OF life.
All the victims who we're burned to
death we're peDned in their rooms,
Those who escaped to the bsllwaye
we're either rescued or jumped from
the windows. The victims, most OF
whom we're weakened by some eff 0.
ton for which they were under treat
mert, were unable to leave their rooms
and many were roasted alive in their
beds.
None OF the patients who were. 10
the rooms WITH barred windows was
lott. Suffering from the effects OF
alcoholics and narcotics. many OF the
patients became wild with fear when
the flames shot up the elevator shaft
and licked down the Railways.
Refusiog to follow the nurses, some
had to be abandoned to their fate.
while the attendants fed from the
wards with the flames around them.
Most VI the doctors and attendants In
charge had the hair burned from their
heads, and their faces were covertd
with blisters.
Henry G. Davis, manager OF the in
stitution, was one OF those most severe
Iy burned. When he heard the cry oi
fire be rushed to Alderman Kent's
room, on the fifth floor. The flames
had already reached the room, and Mr..
Davis was driven back down the hall
way to q window on the east side OF the
building, where be was rescued and
carried to the ground. He wss seri'
ously burned about the face and hands,
Alder0sn Kent had been under
tres tmet for some time, and when the
fire broke out be was hsndcuffed.
Wien his body was discovered three
hours later he was burned to crisp.
Au attendant named Knappman was
iust ,Dtly killed by Jumping from o
fltnit)r window. When the flames
shot along the hallway Knappman ran
to the northwest corner of the building
and leaped to the sidewalk. He fel
upon his head, aud was instantly killed
Whsn he appeared at the window
she spect tors cried to him TO wal
until net could be secured, but h'
insisted on jumping.
While Kosppmsn was lpaplog to his
death another man, DR.. Willis Bunker
OF Oregon. ILL.,, stood at a window OF
the ftth floor and waited until ladder
could be run up to the window. While
the 6remen were raising the ladder DR.
Bunker stood in cloud of smoke anC
dressed himself.
The FIRE spread about his head and
be leaned from the window gasping TO
air. By the time the ladder reached
the window he wss almos dressed, suC
was carried to the ground by the fire
men.
The origin of the fire is unknown
but 1t is believed to have started 10 on
of the firs-boxss in the boiler room
where the plant for heating and light
ing the building is located.
Wants Others TO Know.