Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-04-28
STORY OF AN ESCAPE
AN INCIDENT OF THE CHICAGO lRO-
QUOlS THEATER HORROR.

The way Woman nnd Her Two
Children Were saved From the
Hurricane of Elamc and Panic by
IA Stranger who Was Intoxicated.
All great conflag raiions that are at
tended with loss Of life have, as "A rule,
their scriO comic as well as their tragic
incidents. Many peculiar escapes have
been recorded. but the following story
Of how one woman and her two chill
drcn ware saved from death in the
Chicago. where so many hundreds per-
ishcd in the hurricane Of flame and
panic. as told by Miss Elizabeth A.
Reed in The Chicago Record Herald
shortly after the fearful tragedy, is
unique in many ways:
Mrs. Henry Stirling. with her two
children, sat in the fatcful 1roquois
thcatcr on that dreadful afternoon.
Little Bob was next to the aisle, then
tho mother and Dorothy sat on the
other side Beyond the siX-year-old
girl there was vacant seat. but little
heed was given TO it as the spectacular
drama went on and the wondering lit
tie folks looked open eyed upon the
scenes before them.
At last an uncertain step came down
the aisle and q we'll dressed man
lurchcd into the vacant scat. The cur
tain waSNip, but he was an old theater
gocr, and as the extravaganza was not
entirely new to him he turned to the
child. Her contidng blue eyes an
swered his appeal for friendship; Their"
was wonder in the expressive little
face, but no fenr. even when he ven
tured to lay a carcssing hand upon the
golden curls.
Mrs. Stirling shrank from his con-
terminating touch upon Dorothy's head
lie saw or felt her loathing and said
brokcnly, "nAnt you be 'fraid ish all
right--all swedish III girl ever
! shaw swcotish III girl ever | shaw"
! Tho gay drama went on, the crowd
/ chccrcd. the children clappcd their
hands, and their merry laughter min
gled with the applause, but the stran-
ger still kept his hleArcd eyes upon the
/ lovely child. Every few minutes his
nand would stray lovingly over the
sunny head and some expression Of
cndcHrment would fall from his unCe--
tain lips. At last Mrs Stirling called
the attention Of an usher to the pro-
| lOngcd annoyance. and = rcmOnstrancc
was made. but the answer came. You
90 way sh all right all right-sweet-
ish iii girl ever | shaw-SWcCtiSh III
girl ever shaw
Again the big hand touched the gold
en- hair. and this time it stravcd down
ward and took the little hand in low
ing clasp. rho child looked fearlessly
into his face and smiled.
The mother grew more and more
nervous. Again an usher Was called
and a complaint made. Tie slender
young man looked at the big fellow
and concluded that prudence was the
"bctter part of valor." 50 be wont to
consult wit another about effective
methods of getting the intruder on. of
the house.
The stranger looked Mt the stage
again; this time he saw tiny flame
rapidly spreading to the scenery. Ris
ing instantly. he took little dorothy in
his arms. stepping beyond the mother
and unhecdinr her frirhtcrrd rcmon-
STRANGE. he swung the child upon one
shoulder and with the Oth"r hand
caught up little Bob; then with both
II them pressed closely In his strong
arms he walked out of the house. The
LOUDLY frightened mother inyoMnta-
, rily followed him.
This precious instant was the mo-
, mcnt Of salvation. Another minute
mother half minute and 1t would
have been too late. They had nearly
, reached the entrance when II cry Of
, horror rang through the house. follow
"a by screams of terror and shrcks of
pain.
Without further Volition Of thcii
own they We're swept into the street
Wholly dazed 10y the awful shock Mrs
Stirling pleaded, put them down-ru'
, chem down now
no, thash all right. Where do yol
want 10 go:'
fright up this way TO the Ashland
oiock," she answered. Then tht
strange party pushed on through ths
crowd which WAS already rushine
! with helping hands to the scene of the
disaster.
, Lurchnc from one side of the walk
to the other and apparently in con
} slant danger Of falling, he still carrie,
his precious burden safely. Once
within the protecting doors of III,
great Ashland block the elevator car
ried them to one uf the higher floors
e where Mrs Stirling rushed into heI
+ husbands office crying. "Oh. Henry
= he thcatcr is burning, and this MAI
las brought the children out"
Although not half comprehension.
he horror the father put his hand il
lis pocket and drew out twenty dol
ar bill. which he offered with profus'
t hanks. Eut he and his money Were
alike ignored. With majestic sWecl
l If the hand the drunken hero answer
'd, "Go way | don't want -our mon
y go way thash all right thuSh tn
'wcctish iii girl ever | shaW-sWc"tisl
! ii girl ever | shaw" and thcn he stag
, ,ored out of The oticc.
Correct Address.