The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1907-08-20
Thousand People En-
quilted In Wave Of Flame and
Smoke.
AT sTEEPLE CHASE PARK,

lplechase. park, which covers about
fifty acres of an island in the harbor
while women in silks and diamonds,
frenzied men and screaming children
fled into the ocean to seek refuge
from the pursuing flames.
More than $4,000 persons were in
the park when, as 1t were, tidal
i wave of fire suddenly swept through
the buildings In the center of the
park and apparently sealed the doom
of the vast multitude.
An instant later frenzied throngs
dashed toward the beach. There is j
no bridge connecting with the main
land, and as IL by common inspira-
ton every one seemed to realize that
from the fire except the waters of the
harbor, which, in turn, menaced the
holiday crowd with death
Men, forgetting their wives and lit
tie ones. plunged into the waves and
swan TO the mainland. The shrieks
of the whistles of the tugs. the shouts
of the men, and the shrieks and
screams OF the women and children
mingled with the rush and roar of
the flames.
In scores of places at the same
time there were distinct panics, but
none more appalling than that in the
ball park where the Chicago National
league team and the Bridgeport nine
were scheduled to play.
| One Word Starts Panic.
Women were waving their handker
chiefs, men were applauding the play
ers and calling to them in Jest when
a dark wreath of smoke, coming from
some mysterious source began toI
wind like a serpent through the am
phitheater and out over the diamond.
| For a few moments the crowd
seemed to watch it lazily and evident
ly with indifference.
| Fire"
| 1t was boys voice that called the
warning, which instantly was taken
up by the men and women and grew
Ito roar Then there was the shut
fling of ten thousand feet and the
great grandstand creaked and swayed.
Scarcely had the stampede started |
when women began to faint. Thel
men in the bleechers seemed not to
observe this as with white, tensel
faces they struggled toward the exits. I
From the field the members Of the
1.-TWO teams, who had suddenly beenl
transformed into amazed spectators, |
saw the peril. Racing to the amphi-l
theater, they scrambled into IL with
one another's aid. Fighting back the
crowd, they shouted warnings to the
men and at the same time lifted thel
women in their arms.
Players Stop Mob.
The appearance of the uniformed
players in the ampitheater seemed to
recall the spectators to their senses
and after the care was taken TO see
that the women were given right of
way to safety.
Meantime the flames had leaped in
to the structure, but fortunately at
a distance of 10 feet from the exits
In ten minutes the site OF the am
|lpithe ater was almost as bare as theI
diamond, and yet in that astound-|
|,ingly short time the thousands had
lsucceefled in making their way to
II the broad fields beyond.
n By various avenues through theI
burning city the crowds made their
|Iway to the beach and Joined the vast
larmy on the strand or in the water.
II Dynamite Used.
Soon dynamite was being used. but
1.-THE fire spfung across the gaps,
Ilspread rapidly and the flames, like
blazing giants leaping hurdles, raced
after the fleeing crowds.
II The mammoth stadium surround,
Hing the race track and covering about
|lseven acres. was roaring like blast
|ifurnace a few minutes after the first
|lalarm. The Earthquake house." the |
dance hall, the skating rink and the
whole empire midway were soon
burning.
From the various places of amuse-
ments the actors and actresses, with |
II painted faces and attired in their
n stage costumes, Joined the pleasure
| seekers and added bizaar touch to
| the stampede.
n A number Of small cottages to the
east Of the park disappeared like
finder. The cottage of Robert Weber, |
the caterer, was among the first de-
stroyed.
II Boats to the Rescue.
Sleeping tugs hurriedly put on
steam and crossed to the island. Ext
lcursion steamers. ferries and launch
es and skiffs Joined in the work till
the beaches were gradually emptied. !,
II The earnest work OF the volunteer
company was of little avail, but the
Bridgeport force was soon transport |
ed across to the island by the ferry |
boats and they soon had the fire I'M
der control.
u The members of the Chicago base !!
ball team Joined the firenen and did
!. valiant work CaDtain Paul ROvnton