The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1905-03-17
VAIL HOTEL DESTROYE
One OF Ely's Large Buildings Raced
by Fire Tuesday.

Bartlett assumed the management
and conducted the popular hostelry
for several years. John Glode became
manager in May, 1908, and was in
possession up to the burning on Tues
day. The hotel was one of the best
on the ranges and very popular with
the travelling public.
ONE LIFE LOST.
1t is with untold regret that we are
forced TO note the loss of life owing
to the fire. Garrett Byrnes, clerk at
the Vail and we'll known, was the
victim. 1t is such occurances as these
that spread gloom over the popu-
lace and Is one of these unfortunate
affairs that cannot be helped.
1t seems that Mrs. Lizzie Hill, en-
ployed as scrub woman, came to work
at about 5 o'clock. A little later,
while Mr.. Byrnes was employed about
the place, she missed him, thinking
he had gone up stairs to call some of
the guests. Soon after, she smelled
smoke and in looking about found it
was coming from the furnace room,
She Immediately called Landlord
Glode and donning few clothes, Mr..
Glode made his way to the furnace
room from the outside. In the mean
time the alarm was being spread
throughout the house, which was fill
ing with smoke almost to suffocation.
The guests issued forth, some partly
dressed and some with their clothes
in their hands. The back end of the
building was rapidly filling and the
help escaped with barely their night
clothes as did also Mrs. Glode and
the children and Misses Carey and
Doyle.
Mr.. GlOde went to little window
and breaking it in yelled to Byrnes
in the furnace room and he answered,
but from the way lie spoke it was
plainly noticeable that the dense
smoke was affecting him. Mr.. Glode
called to "Scotty" Winchester across
the street to come to the assistance
of Byrnes and started back into the
building to remove his family and see
that the guests were aroused.
Winchester was joined at the win
dow by George Mason and j. Schroed-
er and all efforts were made to remove
the unfortunate man. Schroeder had |
Byrnes by the clothes at one time but |
could not do anything with him as he
fought desperately. all the time pull
ing back. The gases and smoke
became so dense that nothing could
be accomplished.
Soon after the fire department went
TO work on the basement and cooled |
t sufficiently to effect an entrance
ind the dead body of the unfortunate
Byrnes was removed. Life was ex-
,inct and the physician summoned |
the cause of death, suffo-
,ation. The remains were taken to
1leason's undertaking establishment
Ind prepared for shipment. They
we're sent to Rockland, Mich, his
,oyhood home. this morning for inter-
nent. His brOther-in-law, c. II.
)'Rourke. from Ontonagon, arriving
% take charge of the remains. b.
)'Rourke, Of Hibbing, was also pres
mt yesterday and departed with the
emains this morning.
Garrett Byrnes was IS years Of age
Ind has been employed in this city
ince the opening of the hotel. Before
coming here he was porter at the St.
Louis Hotel in Duluth. He had many
friends throughout the country who
ire shocked over his tragic demise.
He was member of the Hibernians
If West Duluth, in which society he
vas an insured member. His parents
reside at Rockland, Mich. A large |
followed the remains to the
tIain this morning.