The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-02-11
SAVES HER MOTHER
FROM FEARFUL FATE
Miss Laura Rathjeans Heroic.
ally Rescues Her Invalid Par.
ent From Burning House.

While frenZied men and fear-stricken
women, suddenly aroused from slum-
Der at 1015-1017 First avenue south
early yesterday morning by the cry of
fire, fought to gain the open air, Miss
Laura Rathjeans, attired only in her
night dress, stified by the heavy smoke
and almost overcome by terror, drag
ged her helpless mother through a
hallway lined with flames, carrying
her to a place of safety until she her
self fell fainting at a doorway. The
heroic act of the young woman I'M
doubtedly saved her invalid mother
from death.
Eight persons barely escaped death
when the fire broke out at 80 a. m
the flames having gained considerable
Roadway before the occupants of the
house were aroused. 1t was then found
that means Of escape by the front
stairway had been cut off, and the in
mates were compelled to dash, panic
stricken, through a wall of flame.
In rescuing her mother, Miss Rath-
jeans was once overcome by the smoke
at the head of the stairs and fell, while
those behind, not seeing the helpless
woman, trampled on Mrs. Rathjeans.
Returns and Saves Her Mother.
The daughter sought the open air,
but in moment returned to her I'M
conscious mother and carried her down
the stairs and out into the street, fall
ing helpless herself when she realized
her task was ended
The fire started from the furnace In
the basement and broke through into
WI Dc
her sister, slept. They awoke to find
that their bed clothes were on fire. but
thinking the danger slight, attempted
to stamp 1t out When they realized
the full extent of the fire, the rest Of
the occupants Of the place were hur-
riedly aroused and found themselves
cut off by the flames in the hallway.
Miss Laura Rathjeans hurriedly
rushed up stairs to the room of her
aged mother, for many years an in
valid and so weakened that she had to
be helped about her room.
Mrs. Rathjeans had attempted to
dress herself, but had been unable to
do so, when her daughter rushed into
the room, and, Selling her around the
waist, carried her out into the hail.
down the stairs and plunged through
the flames, falling exhausted.
others, seeing her escape, followed
and trampled the elder woman, who Law
unconscious until her daughter and
Haven Collins, a fourteen-year- boy,
returned to the scene and carried her
out.
Will Probably Recover.
She was taken to Asbury hospital
believed to be fatally injured, but the
physicians stated last night that she
was not burned and had an excellent
chance of recovery
When the occupants Of the house had
reached place of safety an alarm was
sent in, and the department succeeded
In stopping the flames in a few min
utes. Fire Marshal Ringer estimates
the loss at about 400. Of which $500
is on the contents. owned by Mrs
Rathjeans.
Mrs. Harry Collins ST.. attempted to
break open the window to her room
and jump into the street when the
alarm was sounded. She cut her hands
badly and was slightly burned, but
was prevented by others from jumping
Misses Maude and Ella O'Connell,
living on the third floor, were severely
burned in running through the flames
attired only In their night clothes,
while George Detert, after once es-
Gaping, attempted to return to his
room on the third floor. He was caught
by the flames and his face and hands
badly burned.
sustained slight burns about their
faces and hands.
The building in which the fire started
is three-story structure, owned by
w. c. Whitney.