The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1905-03-17
NARROW ESCAPES.

All efforts were put forth by Mr..
Glode and the guests to assist all to
awake and make their escape. It was
rather hard work for some to get out
as the smoke in the halls was blind
ing. Just at about the time the blaze
broke out on the back end OF the
building, two Of the guests in the
third story were seen at the windows
frantically endeayoring to attract
attention. They were VIM. Sullivan
and j. Skobe. Some hot-headed ones
in the street yelled for them to jump
but cooler counsel prevailed and lad
ders were pvt up and the men res
cued. Sullivan was the first taken
out in negligee costume aud the NOM
ent he reached the balcony where the
first ladder was placed. he helped the
firemen place the ladder to Skobe's
window.
Other efforts were put forth to res
cue others in the rooms and the fire.
men by means of ladders entered
windows, but all seemed to be out.
Those who were in the building at
the time Of the fire, give Mrs. Hill
much credit for arousing the house
hold. Others also did much towards
evactuating the building, notably
among which were John Glode, Geo.
Mason, Capt. Donovan, Jas. Marcy,
J. w. Osborne, Geo. Lonstorf, R. H.
Pagan and several others. However,
had it not been for the prompt action
of Mrs. Hill. many lives would have
been seriously endangered and per-
haps sacrificed.
ORIGIN OF FIRE.
How the fire began is mystery and
will perhaps remain so, as the only
one capable of intelligently giving
a cause, loss his life in the confagrat-
ion. Several suggestions have been
advanced however, the most plausible
one is that ByInes discovered the fire
in the basement and in doing what he
could to extingllsG the same, was
overcome by gas and smoke. The
furnace doors found closed after an
examination could be made dis
approves of the gasoline theory
and also the theory, of an explosion
in the furnace.
Be that as it may, the destruction
of the Vail Hotel is hard blow for
this city and one that will be felt for
some time to come. While we were
unfortunate, we were still fortunate
as with all the trouble had with
water, pumps and mains, it was
most fortunate occurance that no
wind was in evidence at the time as
much damage would have resulted.
The fire further emphasized the
fact of the efficiency of the fire
department, but the MINER still
holds to the contention that the city
needs a reserve pump and boiler for
the water supply and again brings
forth the necessity of putting in a
pump at the old plant to be held In
reserve for just such happenings as
characterised the fire of Tuesday.
The city owns the well, has the
mains laid thereto, has boiler in
place and all that would be required
would be pump, some coal, and a
man sent over and start fire when
the whistle blows. Even if a fire
would be kept in the boiler at all
times, no harm would be done. 1t
was plainly proven that water In
large quantities will do the work.
While we wish to not be dictatorial
in the matter, the council will do well
to look the matter up. The expense
would be nominal compared with the
benefits to be secured in emergency
cases.
NorE-The MINER is somewhat disap-
pointed In the non-arrival of several illus
trations of the fire. The cuts are unavoid-
ably delayed.
Don't send outside for anything
you want in the furniture or hard
ware line. / will sell you better
goods at a lowe" price than any out
side concern. Trade with your home
merchants. M. E. GLEASON.
u n House DroSt d An0ok