The Corvallis times. (Corvallis, Or.) 1888-1909, 1904-04-20
A HERO PATIENT.
PATIENT SAVES MANY LIVES
AT A HOSPITAL FIRE.
Pulls Patients Away from Windows
and Pilots Them to a Safe Re-
treat-A Fatal Four Story
Plunge-Other News.

Plunge-Other News.
Indianapolis, April 17.-While
the city fire department, reinforced
by companies from the suburbs, was
being taxed to its utmost fighting
the Occidental hotel fire this morn
ing, an alarm was turned in
from st. Vincent's hospital. When
the first fire company arrived one
life had been lost and several were
seriously injured in the panic that
followed.
For time it seemed that the
flames, which started in a pile of
rags under the east stairway, would
find their way to the upper floors,
resulting In frightful holocaust.
At every window on the third and
fourth floors were crowded the PAN
ic-stricken men and women scream
ing for help to those on the street
below.
The panic that ragged on the third
and fourth floors continued until
long after the fire had been extin-
guiehed.
Patients who had just undergone
surgical operations rushed fromtheir
beds to the windows and attempted
to throw themselves to the ground.
Harriet Leaby, an old employe of
the hospital, leaped from a windo W
on the fourth floor, and when pick
ed up was dead. In the rear the
men and women were making ropes
of bedclothing by which they es-
capped to the ground below. Kate
Beach, less fortunate than the rest,
lost her hold and fell from the third
floor, and is now in a critical con-
dition from internal injuries sus-
tanned.
An unusual number Of surgical
operations were performed in the
hospital en- Saturday. Many of
the patients carried from their beds
in the rescues. were in a critical con-
dition, and both physicians in
charge fear that many fatalities
may result. The patients were car
lied to the male ward, which is on
the first floor, and was not serious
ly affected by the panic which rag
ed In the upper floors.
Improvised cots and mattresses
were brought into use and a gener
al call for medical assistance SEN
throughout the city. Within 6
short time about 100 physicians ar
rived andthe patients we're cared for
Harry Nichols, who underwen
an operation for appendicitis few
hours before the outbreak of the fr'
Jumped from his bed and ran dowr
four flights of stairs into the street
His condition is critical.
James Dawson, an emaciated pa
tient, worked heroically among tn
panic stricken men and women OF
the third floor. One after anothe
he pulled away from the window
those who were preparing to juml
to the street below and pIloted then
through the smoke to places of safe
4 ty on the first floor.
After saving 27 nurses and pa
tients from possible injury in thi
manner, he lost consciousness an
was carried into the male ward
where medical attention was give
him. For time it was though
that he comld net undergo the tel
, rible strain to which he had bee
, subjected.
The fire which for almost tw
hours thre atened to destroy th
principal retail district was disco,
cred at an early hour this mornin
in the Occidental hotel. Every fiji
. company in the city, as well q
| those from outlying suburbs, wa
summoned. The house was file
with guests, and a panic was nal
rowly averted.
There were many narrow escaps
: from the flames and suffoca ton, th
inmates heing compelled to leav
the building clad only in thei
night-clothes.
The hotel, which fronts for ha
: a block on Illinois street, south {
!, Washington street, is valued q
r 100000, and is gutted. The loss
: estimated at $4,000.
t Owing to the fire proof constru'
g ton of the hospital the actual los
g to the building will not exceed
0 $1,000.
(