The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-12-06
EIGHT GIRLS HURT
| IN FACTORY FIRE
Panic Follows Explosion of
Thousands of Matches in
Indianapolis Plant.
MAD JAM ON STAIRWAY
TOOK PLACE IN A
FIREPROOF STORAGE VAULT
OTHER FIRES ATTENDED BY
LOSS OF LIFE.
Publishers Press.l

Indianapolis. Ind, Dec. 5.--In fire
that started from an explosion or
! thousands Of paper matches at the fac
kory of F. A. Rathburn & Co, eight
young women were burned, four of
Them seriously The others were pain
FULLY burned and injured in their fran
tic efforts to escape from the building.
The injured are: Helen Stapp, bad
Hy burned about the head, face and
AIMS. also hurt by jumping from sec
orf story window; Hattie Breedlove,
burned about the face, arms and
4. ad; Lizzie Richards, burned about
the face, arms and back, also hurt by
jumping; Myrtle Stapp burned about
the face, head and arms; Lulu Breed
love, arms burned and injured by
jumping; Anna Reese, hurt about the
back by falling down a stairway;
Georgiana Mitchell and Nellie Rec
were slightly burned and hurt by fall
Ing Several other girls were slightly
hurt in the panic that followed the ex-
plosion.
Ten girls were at work on the sec
pnd floor of the factory when an ex-
p1osion in a fire proof storage vault
forced the door and hurled a sheet of
flames across the work room. There
was rush for the stairway, which be-
came choked with girls struggling,
screaming and unable to reach the
stairway. Some jumped from the
windows to the ground. At the stair
way several of the girls fell and were
trampled upon.
Two girls made an unsuccessful ef-
fort to get to the fire apparatus and de-
voted their efforts to beating out the
fire. which ignited garments of fellow
employees. The forewoman of the fac
tory reached the telephone and while
Rhe was calling the fire department.
others smothered the fire that was
burning her clothing.
Westfeld, N j., Dec. 5.-Four chill
dren, two boys and two girls. ranging
| in age from two months to Ave years,
were burned to death at their home
near here. Mrs. w. r. Wezel and
Mrs. Oscar Feiter. who lived together
with their two children each, went out
to work. leaving the little ones at
AlOulC dlOAC Duilhk tUclI dDSeDC0
their house caught fire. Firemen ex-
finguished tie flames and found the
bodies of the children burned beyond
recognition.
Washington c. H.. o., Dec. 5.-Lit-
tie Charles, 2-year-old son of Mr.. and
Mrs. Virgil Crosby, was burned to
death at Mrs. Hugh McCoy's, south of
town. It's mother stepped to the door
to empty pan of water when the
child thrust small broom into the
erate. from which II ignited it's out
ing gown. When the mother returned
the child was struggling on the floor,
its tongue being burned out and nose
burned off. 1t died IN few hours.
Scranton. Pa, Dec. 5.-Two chill
dren, a boy and a girl. belonging to
Alfred Small. were burned to death
at their home at Pittston. It 10
thought the girl played with paper in
the kitchen Are. setting herself ablaze
and also the boy.
Indianapolis. Ind, Dec. s. - The
3-year old son of Mrs. Ora Wilson,
was burned to death. The child's
clothing caught fire while it was
standing near the kitchen stove.
Wants Absolute Power.
Washington, Dec. 5.-The president
sent special message to congress
urging legislation giving the executive
authority on his own initiative and re-
sponsibility TO dismiss any officer
whom he thinks unworthy to remain
in the service. The law at present
provides that in time Of peace no Off
Ger shall be dismissed except in pur-
suance of courtmartial or in mitiga-
ton thereof. This provision, the pres
ident wants repealed. Illustrating the
necessity for the legislation desired
the president cites the case of a naval
officer, whose name Ia not given, but
who was accused of indecent and dis
gushing behavior" He was convicted,
but the courts, to his surprise. the
president says, did not sentence him
TO dismissal.
Bank Teller Gone.
Kansas City. Dec. William G..
Anderson. 49, collection teller of the
First National bank of this city. is
missing. and E F. Swinney. the presi-
ient, auHltleo tndt ne Is snort SS,uUU
in his accounts. Anderson who was
in the employ of the bank 10 years.
left the city Monday supposedly on a
hunting trip. 1t developed that he alb
stracted $4,000 from the banks funds.
taking the money in three lots. last
week. Anderson has a wife and grown
laughter here.
Accused OF Stealing Plans.
Chicago, Dec. Sc. A. Steinhor
and r. G. Blackshaw, said TO be
agents of the American House Clean
Ing company OF ST. Louis, were ar
rested here IN connection with the al
legged theft Of specifications and plans
If machinery, said TO be valued at
100000 No formal charge was made