Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-04-09
HIS LIFE FOR FATHER
Child Hero at a New York
Tenement Fire.
RAN BACK INTO FLAMES
Meanwhile His Parent Was Safe
With Others on the Sidewalk.
DIED WHISPERING HIS PRAYER
For Little Will Was a Church Choir
Boy and Called 1.-The Angel
Voiced Child"
DIED WHISPERING HIS PRAYER

special DlspAtcn 10 Inc STAR.
NEW YORK, April 9.-WilI Williams, a
sturdy little chap of seven, who has been
called ''the angel-voiced child at the
Church Of Our Lady. 18th street and I'd
avenue. where he was a choir boy, died
In Harlem Hospital at o'clock this
morning from burns he received at his
home, 2U2 Sd avenue, while going to the
aid OF his father. mother and two little
sisters he believed were in the burning
house.
The fire. which Is believed to be of in
cendiary origin, started in the rear OF
Louis Eiseler's tailoring establishment, on
the ground floor OF a five-story tenement
building. On the four upper floors lived
eight families.
When the fire was discovered by Police
man Scarle Of the East 1O4th street sta
ton It had attacked door leading into
the hallway In the rear. Scarle ran into
had reached the third floor and aroused
the Williams family when there was a
tremendous explosion Instantly the
flames were sucked up through the stair
way and at the same time they shot out
OF the rear windows and made the rear
fire escape. the only escape in the build
ing, a griddle.
Williams grabbed up his two youngest
children and. calling for his wife and
little son Will to follow, he reached the
street by the stairs. The Williams were
the old family In the house not to be
hemmed in by the flames.
Some of the tenants ran to the rear es-
capes, only to find that the fire ladders
were red hot and that the flames were
shooting up past the platforms on the sec
ond floor. Then they made for the front
of the house and began screaming.
The firemen came rushing up. Ladders
were raised and the men and women in
the windows were picked off after the
firemen had carried the children down to
safety.
Thought His Father in Peril.
The streets were thick with an excited
crowd. In the excitement Will Williams
got separated from his father and mother
He was dressed in only a short night
shirt. and he went about asking every
one he met: Have you seen my father
anywhere?''
Maybe he's up in the house." some
man suggested.
Like shot the small boy made for the
house. Before firemen and police could
stop him he dived into the flaming hall
way, calling to a fireman behind him:
III get father if he's here."
his night shirt blazing before he had
reached the first landing. He gained the
second floor and was trying to reach the
third floor where he believed his father
was. when there came back draught.
The boy was hurled from his feet, and as
he lay the flames reached him.
Fireman Howe of engine No. IS had
seen the boy enter the house. and he went
after him by way of an outside ladder.
He found him unconscious in the hall on
the second floor, and carried him to the
street.
The unconscious child was taken into
cigar store and there first aid to the In
jured was employed, until Dr.. Mosher ar
rived i'm an ambulance from Harlem Hos
pital The boy came to his senses and
began to pray.
The Rev Father Schultz, pastor of the
church where the boy was a singer. push
ed his way between the anxious father
and mother and administered the last
rites.
I'm Not Going to Die" he Said.
I'm not going to die whispered the
boy into the priests ear, but l need
your prayers
On reaching the hospital the boy con-
tnued to pray. He told DR.. Mosher sew
eral times that he was going to get well.
Then he lapsed into Inconsistencies
again.
Shortly before his death the boy again
became conscious and he raised himself
on his arm and began praying. Sudden
~ his strength gave out, he toppled back
on his pillow, there was gasp and he
was dead.
Il have seen men die-brave men, too,
commented DR.. Mosher. but 1 have
never seen man Drawer than that
child"
For an hour the firemen battled with
the blaze before it was under control.
The fire loss was about $1,000 The
police and firemen are trying to learn
something about it's origin and the lire
marshal is asking many questions.