New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-14

nent 20 surocats them. there cams pitsous cry
for help from upper story Rushing IN the
direction OF the sound. three hrenen-Potter. began
and ShEUghnessy-soon found themselves upon the
fourth floor Of the building. and after few
minutes OF vain search for the ons IN distress
realized that they were entirely cut OF BY sncir-
cling flames and smoke.
They tried 20 retreat. but the FIRE had made its
way up the strtrways and about many Of the win
dows until a. were fairly enveIOped IN death
dealing flames. What 20 do was an lnsolubls
problem! Shaushnessy made for nearby window
and tried 20 Jump out, but the wire netting held
him back They screamed. but their cries were OF
no AVIAN IN tho roar OF the fendish Ere
On the streets below excitement was rife. These
despalring freren. imprisoned IN the burning
building had been missed By their fellows. who
were now struggling aimIessIy % eHect their
rescue A dreadful storm ragged tnnt night. and 50
slippery were the streets that. Try as they would
the frernen could not raise the ladders
At last after eight minutes o: the most strenu-
Gus EFFORT. chief Croker succeeded IN getting
ladder I'D 10 a window toward which tho three
men were endeavorinE 10 Erope their way. Flames
had Just burst into the room and they had been
given up FOR lost, when thsir figures could be dimly
seen descending the ladder IA haze OF smoke
Cheers went up Tor the safe return OF the IRE fight
ers and ten minutes after they had stepped upon
the street the walls OF the building went down
with crash
Captain Harry Hauck commander OF Engine
company No. So lnickuamed the "bor.-tou'' com
pany. because OF IFS station at Forty-third-st.
and Fifth-eve.). all through the Spanish war
having resigned his position I'm the department 70
fight IN cuba. with the close OF the war lie
sumed his connection with the Sew-YorlS fire ser
vice. and his opportunity 20 make comparisons
gives weight 20 his statement that thu dangers OF
war nothing compared with those e. which the
fireman IS subjected. He also afirms that not ONLY
are risks enormous I'm the actual combating OF
fire. but that equally great are the chances Of dis
aster on the way to the scene OF tho disturbance.
when horses travelling at top speed and streets
are crowded with vehicles and people II Hiustra-
ton or his opinions he cites the following Incident;
4 call had come from the station az Forty-sec-
ond-st. and Avenue A. At the usual highest limit
speed. for the captain boasted ~ the dresc and
fastest animals n the department., the horses
dashed madly aIo-S Fortv-second-st. which is
down hill at this pcl@t. due east TIE road wss
slippery and az ThlrI-avc. was approached toe
driver looked ahead for the signal from n police
man citizen to proceed without danger or fear
Tho patrolman waved his hand 90 come on. and
az the instant trolley car, manned by 4
green motorman. was about 20 cross the street nj
right angles o. the direction OF the engine. The
motorInan. mistaking the poiicemans signal ~ one
20 himself To- go ahead proceeded % cross Forty
secoud-st. Hence the speed Or neither car nor
engine was sIackened. and each made toward tho
other with great rapidity-
The driver knew that a head-on collision was I'M
rnilent and instead OF turning the horses quickly
TO t,vart the severity os the crash ne deserted his
post Jumped from his seat. and allowed his nobts
animals to cast away their lives and those or the
possible passengers on the car
The captain. at his post on the rear - he engine
knew nothing Of the accident until Le was sud
denly hurled upon the sidewalk Notwithstanding
severe bruises however. ne managed % rise 20 his
feet and hestencd 10 his horses who were in
most pitiabIc condition. Two Of them. though stu
living were practically torn To- pieces and the cap
tain thinking only OF their suffering. borrowed a
revolver from the policeman and shot them The
third horse and also the few passengers on the
car had sustained no serious injuries Although
badly bruised. Captain Hauck soon recovered from
the accident. and he wonders that he escaped
death Within three months he lost another pair
OF beautiful horses.
Another narrow escape the way 70 fire was
experienced by fireman. Andrew Mum. Of HOOK
and Ladder Company No. 1s. When the call came
from Station No. 22S and Mum took his position
at the tilIsr. he had no remembrance OF the fact
that only the week before a fireman named Quade.
occupying a similar seat. had been thrown and in
stnntlv killed. With the hreman's characteristic
reckIesness Nun swung to the tn1sr as the
horses started furious galiOp UP the street
When they had gone short distance. the rear
wheel struck a cobbIestOne and the shock was 80
severe that Il threw Mum out the side he
chung on with one leg while his head bumped for
several yards upon the revolving wheel At last,
with superhuman strength and a realization that
his only chance for life lay In one TREMENDOUS
effort pulled himself up until he able 70 re-
gain his place at the tller Like nearly all OF
these escapes. there something almost nj.
saoulous shens IL ead the eoolhsAdsdnsss sna