The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-24
PANIC ~ 4 SKY SCRAPER;
BRAVE ELEVATOR MEN AID
1000 PERSONS TO ESCAPE

CONCLUDED FROM FIRST PAGEO
aue largely to the efficiency Of the fire drill
OF the employees When the great bell at
the top OF the rotunda sounded the alarm
of fire every janitor. engineer and fireman
in the building responded, and long before
the IRE department had reached the scene
the Temple IRE brigade had attached nose
10 the standpipes, which extend from the
basement TO the roof, and eight streams OF
water were turned upon the fire 10y the vol
unteer fremen. The fire department used
but little OF Its hose, the building equip
ment being called into use.
Since the lroquols fire Thomas McDennon
the special on1cer stationed at the Masonic
Temple. organized a volunteer fire drlli
among the employees. and they have been
orlli1ng twice each week.
WENT DOWN FIRE ESCAPES.
George Ashmore. barber. and Tony"
bootblack, climbed down the fire escape
from the nineteenth floor OF the Temple.
When the knowledge OF the fire reached
the barber shop everybody made rush for
we're clsmbering into them at rate that
threatened accidents unless the congestion
was relieved. Thereupon Ashnore and the
bootolack ran to the fire escape and started
to climb downward Several times, said
Ashmore. as we passed by a window
smoke rolled out in volumes that threat
ened to suffocate US. But We knew II was
death II we lost our hold. and We hung on.
We were mighty glad when we reached the
bottom"
For time il was feared that the water
which threatened TO food the basement
would put out the fires in the boilers and
thus stop the eleva tors, on which the many
upper floors depend for safety. The drains
were found ample to carry away the water,
however. and the elevators continued 10
run. As they passed the burning floor they
were subjected to great heat and the smoke
swept in thick volumes through the ele-
vators, seeking the windows at the rear.
which were helpful in clearing the air. The
great rotunda shaft, with its runways FOR
fourteen elevators made an ideal chimney
for the smoke, and the elevator men, for
many trips in succession, were forced TO
breathe the smoke-laden air. Weak and
in the escape OF hundreds OF people.
While men and women were fleeing in
wild confusion from the building. LAeuten-
n , 5ohT Il tusy u s. S Of
applicants for the 2:10 D. m. navy. who
were undergoing examination before him
applicants for the navy who were
undergoins examination before him
in his once on the fourteenth moor. The
first duty of a sailor II to obey orders,
he shouted. Go on with the examina-
men obeyed. They remained at their desks,
and while they did not attempt 10 answer
questions before them, they remained calm
and cool until the IRE was over and other
ing.
l. Friedenlander. brother of the head of
the concern in whose premises the nre De-
gan, was I'm the counting room checking up
the days receipts when an employe shout
ed fire" He made a dash for the street,
but he recalled that he had left 81 600 in a
drawer. Dampening a handkerchief he
placed IL over his mouth and succeeded in
returning and getting the money.
Henry Martin. clerk In the offices OF
Hirsch & Oppenheimer manufacturers OF
tewelry, led the twenty-five employees OF
the company down the stairs after they
had placed their books in the safe and
locked the Offices. Down seven flights ths
employees walked. making their way as II
IN a IRE drill. The act is said to have
Quieted those rushing down from behind
them and prevented injury 20 many In a
possible rush down the stairs.
In the height OF the excitement tho
crowds In the street saw a man clad in Q
heavy overeoat step out on the fire escape
OF the fourteenth floor and begin to de-
scend.
Thousands Of people on the streets watch
explosion which threw quantity of acid
through the windows sending the snartins
| fluid raining on the crowds below. In the
rush for safety an old man was throwr
down areaway, being picked UP uncon-
| scious.
| r. Friediander, in whose suite the fire
originated, was found unconscious on the
floor He was overcome by smoke and
| chemical fumes. Twelve girls In his EN-.
| ploy made their escape at the hrst alarm
| Among the concerns damaged by water
(, and smoke are: s. f. Grossack. real estate
| l. Schwartz a Co, 1. G. Davis Co., Won.
| ans Club Royal League, Knights Of Pyth-
| las and other fraternal society lodge halls