The Washington times., 1905-04-09

Heroes more modest than Acting Capt,
]. R. Steele and Private Frank McPher-
son. of Truck D fire company, are not
TO be found in days travel.
Life-savers in every sense of the word,
these two stalwart f1re-fighters last
night considered that they were being
jollied when any comment was made
concerning their heroic rescues at the
Lanahan Flats, Second and II streets
northwest, yesterday morning.
I'VE merely did our duty" said
Steele to a representative of The Times.
Who knows but what we may have
to do the same thing or even more to-
morrow or any day in the week.
1T wasn't anything great. Who
wouldn't go up a ladder to rescue wo-
man with a little baby in her arms?
Rescues Mrs. Hickman.
/ 1t strikes me that a wooden Indian
would be moved to action at the sight
we saw when we arrived at the apart
ment house. Mrs. Hickman kept her
nerve wonderfully, and stood the trying
| ordeal better than most women would,
although she was, of course nervous
| and badly frightened.
| For my part, [ simply went up the
ladder, possibly a little faster than
| usual, and warned ner to keep cool and
L would get her out of danger in a few
moments. She put a shaky arm on nv
shoulder and then stepped into my arms.
With the hand she had free she held
| to me as L descended At the foot of
the ladder | turned her over to the
men on the ground. What became of
/ her then / do not know.
| Il started back after Miss Nix and
the others who were on the third floor.
! Mcpherson was all there though. /
never saw u man work as quickly or
/ With such a viii as he did. He gave
Mr. Hickman some very much needed
aid and helped others down the lad
| ger" -ttAs
| The extreme modesty of the men who
/ have covered themselves with glory in
| drces them TO make light Of their COM
mendable exploit Those who witnessed
! the rescues have nothing for them but
praise, and take issue with the fire lad
dles who style their conduct as ordi-
nary
Deeds of HeToiSm.
! The deeds Of heroisrn on the part of
1 Steele and Mcpherson, which places
tEem In line as likely candidates FOR the
| god med Al offered by The Times for
conspicuous bravery while on duty,
were done at an carly morning fire,
when more than a hundred sleeping fiat
owellers were caught in the burning
building at Second and II streets.
The hre MAS discovered by Eugene
! Walters. mail carrier. who was rid
ing on a street car about 6 O'Clock.
He turned in an alarm and then ran
back TO the building. With shouts of
Fire, Everybody get up. The house
on fire. he reused the occupants of the
lover floor, and assisted many to get
clothes and valuaDies to the street
Slumberers on the second and third
floors We're aroused by the screaming
OF women who rushed frantically to the
street clad In their night clothes and
carrying other attire in their arms The
Changing of FIRE apparatus bells awoke
others 10 their peril
Beg 10 Be Saved
Shrieking women. crying children and
excited men crowded 10 the windows
and begged the fremen TO save them
Members OF Truck -, who were the
firSt upon the scene, although Truck A
md Engines ), "a and were not fan
behind. threw a ladder toward the sec
ond floor windows. where Mrs Ella
Hickman and her husband were stand
ing.
Before the ladder reached the sill ot
the window. however. Steele jumped or
II and climbing to the top in record
breaking time snatched the woman ant
her child from the jaws OF death.
Private NcPherson helped Mr.. Hick
man TO the ground
Both rescuers were cheered to tn.
echo as they bore their living burden.
to safety Many were the handshake.
| they received during the fire and aftel
the smoke had cleared away.
Assistant Fire Marshal Nicholson I,
OF the opinion that the fire originated
either from an overheated furnace q
effectively Insulated electne wire, or &
| cigar butt thrown through the iror