Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1907-09-12
OLD WOMAN
IS HEROINE
GIVES LIFE IN ATTEMPT TO RES
CUE CHILDREN
WATCHED CHANCE AND RUSHED
INTO FLAMES
Grandson Followed, but Eiehty-Year-
Old Woman Had succumbed
to Smoke end Fire-Lit-
tie Ones Saved

NEW YORK, Sept. 11.--A mother of
eighteen children, a grandmother of
many more, and great-grandmother Of
several thought some of her descend
ants were going to perish in a fire in
the tenement house at 202 East Ninety
eighth street today and toddled back
into the burning building and died in
her feeble efforts to rescue them.
Inc old woman, Mrs. Katharine
AronWltz, was more than eighty years
old, and lived on the second floor with
her daughter and son-fn-law. Mr.. and
Mrs. Julius Goldsard, their several
grown children and one or two grand
children.
On the floor above lived Jacob Cold
sard and his wife and children some of
whom are grown. The rest of the five
story tenement house was occupied by
many families.
The fire, which is supposed to have
started in the millinery store of julius
Goldsard, on the ground floor, was dis
covered by girl returning to her home
after trip to Coney Island. 1t had
gained Roadway and was climbing up
through the hall.
Hears Girls Cries
The girls cries were heard by Jacob
SOioSdius BIOWH SUI OIL the FAMILY
occupying the third floor He awal-
ened his own household and then began
to arouse the other families in the
house.
Young Goldsard made for the second
floor to save his relatives housed there,
and got them all out. The old grand
mother, so feeble she staggered as she
walked, was being led to the street by
her daughter and son-in-law
oil ol,t
asked many times. fare you sure they
are all safer"
The old woman was told that they
had all got to the street in safety and
that there was no danger. She was not
satisfied.
All was excitement in the street. The
fire escapes were congested in front
and rear. Men and women, half
clothed, were tearing about looking for
children or relatives, and the firemen
were yelling.
Mrs. Goldsard left her old mother for
an instant. 1t was the chance the old
woman was waiting for. With a step
firmer than 1t probably had been in
many years she glided back into the
burning house, and unnoticed climbed
to the second floor. She went through
the apartments there, and then made
for the third floor. She must have lost
her bearings at this point. The smoke
was hot and the air was heavy.
Flames Reach Her
1t is supposed the old woman tried
to get to the roof, and that her
strength was not equal to it. On the
stairs between the fourth and fifth
floors she fell and there the flames
reached her.
When the old woman was missed on
the street one of her grandsons rushed
into the building. He knew she must
have gone back to save some of the
children The smoke and flames drove
him down the stairway, and then he
went up the fire escape. He came upon
the body and yelled to the firemen.
Mrs. Aronwitz was carried down the
ladder to the street. She was still
living, and her children, grandchildren
and Observation-Disclosures gathered
about. her. Before a doctor arrived
death came.
Mrs. Ida Miller, the bride of Solo
mon Miller, was caught on the third
floor by the flames. The firemen yelled
to her to stay where she was. but she
made flying leap, landing in rear
yard. 1t was thought she was badly
hurt, but she escaped with bruised
toe
The f1remen got the blaze under con-
troll without much difficulty.