Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1909-02-19
J0HNS-MANVILLE
AND NETZOW
ON FIRE
FIVE FIREMEN KILLED AND A
DOZEN SERIOUSLY IN
JURED.
DEATH TAKES GRIM HARVEST.
employees of Rundle-Spence Company
Climb Down Fire Escapes-No
One Is Injured.
EMBERS BLOWN OVER THE CITY

Assistant Chief James Cunning and
! four other firemen were killed in
fire which destroyed the plant of the
FL. w. Johns-Manville company, 2O1-
231 Clybourn street, and the piano plant
of the Charles Netzow company adjoin-
ing, between IL and 12 o'clock this
morning.
A property loss of a quarter Of mil
lion dollars or more was occasioned and
more firemen will undoubtedly succumb
to their injuries, swelling the list of
dead to proportions that may overshad
ow any of the fatal fires Of recent
years.
Chief Cunning and his men were lost
when the roof of the Netzow plant caved
in about noon, carrying between ten and
fifteen men to the fourth floor and bury
ing them in the debris.
One after another the corpses were
taken from the building, charred and
blackened, some bruised and CHASTITY,
telling a mute story of martyrdom to
duty which these brave fire fighters
faced unfinchingly though they may
have known that death would be their
fate.
Firemen Carried to Death.
At 1890 o'clock the roof of the Metz
ow plant fell and a number of iremen,
estimated at from twelve to fourteen,
fell to the fourth floor. This informa
ton was given by Michael Keogh, who
succeeded in making his way out Of the
ruins and was taken to the Emergency
hospital. The firemen were members of
engine companies Is and 10. Two men,
who were rescued from the ruins in an
unconscious condition, also were taken to
the hospital.
Search Ruins for Bodies.
Chief Clancy put every available man
10 work searching the ruins when it
became apparent that lives had been
.ost and the danger of the fire spread
ing was over. Indcscribable scenes of
sadness were enacted the tiremen
carried their comrades from the ruins.
Chief Cunning had been missed and q
searching party was organized. His body
was found buried in the ruins on the
Fourth floor of the Netzow plant end it
was believed he was dead. On reaching
| the ground it was found that he still
breathed and he was taken to the Elmer
gency hospital. He died u few minutes
| later.
The factory plant of the Johns-NIan-
vile company adjoining, which escaped
injury, was converted into a temporary
morgue and the bodies of the dead fire
men were laid under blankets to wait for
further disposition.
The injured were hurried to the Elmer
rency hospital where everything was
lone to relieve them and if possible save
their lives.
Complicate Rescue Work.
Several of the injured left the hos
| pital after having their wounds treated.
| In these cases the men were not hurt
! seriously, and hurried back to renew the
| battle with the flames. This served to
| compicate the work of rescue, and ac-
counting for the firemen, several of those
missing being in the hospital at the time
| of accounting, or on the way.
The members of Co. 10, at one time
thought to be killed by the crashing of
! the walls, were found inside one of the
! buildings fighting the flames, and I'M
conscious of the report that they had
met death
Three tiremen were lowered from the
roof by means of ropes and one was tax
en- down stairway. 1t is thought he is
dead.
DR.. Harry e. Bradley and DR.. Rudolf
! G. Teschan were on the ground early
with a corps of assistants to give succor
| to the wounded.
| The building covered space 2OOXloo
| feet and was detached almost complete
| " from it's neighbors. Flames burst
| from every window and through the roof
and before an hour had elapsed the walls
began to weaken. The crowd was forced
back BY fire lines Chief Clancy ordered
his men to stand back out OF the way OF
the walls.
Employees Escape Safely.
Several hundred employees were at
work in the plant, which also housed
the Office and clerical forces, and accord
ing to Chief Clancy all succeeded in
making their escape. The offices ap,
parently were attacked first and all
the records and valuable papers were
ruined.
Loss Quarter Million.
The Mellow Manufacturing company
| estimates it's loss on stock exclusive or
building Mt $4,000. while the contents
of the Johns Manville plant, according
to officials, was appraised at $2OO,OOO::
The building was worth upwards or
So, 900. This brings the loss up to
S265. 900.
The fire is believed to have started
from an explosion in the retort room IN
the basement under the office a rev
moments later a second explosion oc-
Cured. Flames burst through the floors
| of the office and the frightened clerks
| fed for their lives. The room was filled
with smoke almost instantly and the en-
ployes CROPPED to doors and windows IN
making their way out OF the burning
structure.
Cashier Saves Money.
Henry Ebert. the cashier, showed
| nile of checks into a safe in the vault,
| but was unable to save heap of cash
| on his desk. before he was obliged to