The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-14

Out. Ine Interior Is a Wrck an
in that section of the hotel to become
aware of the danger and sounded the
alarm to the others in that section.
Il had to jump just like the rest of
| them" he said, but / guess 1 am
younger and it didn't hurt me as
much"
Farmer Smith Badly Injured.
A w. Farmer" Smith of MoPher-
son, prominent Republican politician,
was one of the most seriously injured
of the hotels guests. Mr.. Smith was
near the northwest corner of the build
aroused in time to provide means for
his own escape. He removed the
| sheets from his bed, tied them togeth-
er, fastened them to the bed post and
awful chance he said to a State Jour
nal reporter, who helped him to
nearby drug store, "but it was do that
or smother in the smoke. The sheets
didn't reach very far down but L took
the jump, and now 1 have broken
ankle. However, 1 am alive and
thankful" One arm was also broken.
Ex-Governor Click Escapes.
Ex-Governor George w. Click of
Atchison. who is well along in years.
was rescued without scratch. 81 left
a call for o'clock and when they
came tapping on my door thought it
was time to get up said Mr. Click
''I got up and was dressed before they
told me to get out. and then 1 found
] my W dy 10 the nre escape 1t was
pretty lucky escape for an old man
| like myself
Rowland's Long Drop.
| One of the most serious injuries was
that of H. A. Rowland of Mcpherson
who was occupying the room with
Farmer Smith. Rowland followed
Smith down, but in making the jump
struck the railing on the north side of
the building and broke three ribs.
Il guess every bone in my body is
broken, 1 have three ribs smashed
and an ankle badly bruised. 1t is the
worst experience ever had. A min
ute longer and 1 would have been a
goner- Our room was filled with
smoke and we couldn't see a thing.
when We were awakened. We never
heard a single alarm of any kind
Representative S. c. Westcott of
/ Galena took a hopeful view of things
despite the fact that he hurt his foot,
probably breaking a bone on the in
step. had to jump from the second
story l might have hollered for
| ladder, but there was too much of a
demand from those higher up. guess
I'm not hurt very bad"
! w. S. Fitzpatrick of Independence,
formerly leader of the senate. was
/ stopping at the hotel in room 321 on
the third floor. 81 didn't get a
scratch Fitz confided to the State
Journal reporter. "I was right by a
fire escape and came down at a live
ly rate" With Mr.. Fitzpatrick was
j. B. F. Gates, also of Independence.
They both lost part of their clothing
Senator Fred H Quincy. of Salina'
ways roomed at the Copeland during
| the legislature time, but this year after
due deIiberation took a room at the Y.
NJ. c. A. t'We1l, I guess I had a hunch
was Mr.. Quincy's comment to his
| friends.
StilIings' Narrow Escape.
Vint Stillings. senator from Leaven-
/ in room 1877. 1.-THE night porter ran
along the first floor" said Mr.. Stillings
'and woke everyone up. I rushed to
my door, threw on a few clothes and
were coming up from below and burn
/ ing the ceiling out. l ran down the
! stairs and got out all right"
/ y. G. Hopkins. a former Topeka
who got out with his life but a dearth
| of wearing apparel. Hopkins reached
the Y. NJ. G. A. by climbing down the
! fire escape, with a pair of trousers,
| pair of house slippers and long flow
! ing night robe.
Musick Is Rescued.
| The last man to be rescued from the
burning building was George Musick
/ had no particular occupation. Musck
| occupied a room on the fourth floor at
| the rear of the building. He was seen
when the building was blazing at that
]
| a guest of the hotel. saw him. and saw
| him fall back in the flames. The ex-
| tension ladder was pressed into service
| and Music was rescued by two of the
| firemen.
chief Justice Johnston Rescued.
Mrs Noble Prentis, who resides at
| the Copeland, was rescued before the
/ fire had proceeded very far She
was brought down the fire escape in
! the front of the building and was
! taken to the National hotel where
| she went to the rooms of Mr.. and Mrs.
J. E. Hurley. The Hurleys formerly
| occupied a suite of rooms at the
| Copeland, but recently moved to the
National Mrs. Prentis is now at the
nome of E. B. Akers, SOC West Eighth
! avenue Chief Justice and Mrs W.
| A Johnston were also rescued and
/ taken to the Hurley rooms at the Ma
| tiona1. Justice johnson is recover
| ing from a severe illness but he seems
| to have not suffered from his ex-
| perience.
Rick Left by Fire Escape.
w. F. Rick. chief clerk of the Cope