Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-12-08

She had to look after the other girls.
When I reached the street saw my
aunt jump. She was the first n to
jump. I think. / went with her to the
City Hospital and then l went home"
Miss Diehm was dressed in deepest
plourning and old her story in a most
graphic manner and without prompt
ing from Prosecutor Mott.
The first l knew there was any
thing wrong was when l saw Miss
Haag go to the stairway. Then /
heard screams from downstairs and
saw a little bit OF smoke come up the
stairway.
81 got up and decided not to try to
go down the stairway, as | knew they
were winding and dangerous. l went
to the real fire-escape, as did a lot
Of other girls. There was no excite
ment at his time, and we were all
taking our turns in getting out. T.
was within two steps of the top; there
We're five steps, I think, leading up to
the window where the fire-escape was,
when there was a cracking sound, and
the stairs fell down.
Il managed to hold to the window
while all the other girls except one be-
inc me fell to the floor. Then they
ran for other windows. l got out on
the fre-escape safely, but ! could see
n that the other girls were panic
stricken, where they had been calm
before, 1t vas getting very smoky in
the room, n l went down the fire.
escape to the roof of the engine-room,
wher | helped take care of little An
geline Rizzio, who had broken her leg
falling from the escape. When I got
to the roof I could see the girls jump
ing from the south window,
Laurin Paddock, the engineer of the
building, was recalled, and stated posi-
lively that he found the door leading
to the fourth floor open and hooked
back when he went upstairs.
About two dozen b~lue-coated iremen
thronged the corridors of the Court
House this morning, just before the be-
ginning of the third day of the inquest
into the High street fire disaster of No
vember 26.
They had been subpoenaed yesterday
afternoon by Prosecutor Mott, and con-
sisted of the captains and lieutenants of
the engine and truck companies, as we'll
as Chief William c. Ashley and Bat
tdllOll Sliitl cCIlM elAdTl.
Following a conference between Pros
ecutor Mott and Chief Ashley most of
the iremen were sent back to their
Quarters to await to testify.
Captain Robert II, Park. of Truck
Company No. 2, the first truck COM
pany on the scene, was the first wit
ness called.
Captain Parks story.
Captain Park said that he was at his
home. 169 Mt. Prospect avenue, at
breakfast when the alarm came in at
1926 a. m, and that he reached the
scene of the fire about twenty minutes
later.A
How did things look to you when
you got there?" asked Mr.. Mott.
well, it looked TO me to be all oyer
except putting out the fire. replied
Captain Park,
Questioned by MIR. Mott as to the
equipment of the truck, Captain Part
explained that IL carried II ladders.
axes miner picks, 275 feet of rope
cellar pipe, ~battering ram, door opener
and a deluge set.
rs that all?" asked Mr.. Mott. aftel
q long pause. Captain Park did no
reply.
why" said FIR. Mott, in very evi
dent surprise, don't you have a life
metz"
"Oh, yes. certainly we had. 1 forg9
to mention that replied the captain
you had only one metz" asked Fore
man Heilmann.
That is ALL" WAS the reply.
DO your men know how to handl
the net?' asked Mr.. Mott.
Yes, sir" replied Captain Park
they arc drilled in its use"
What is the first thing you do whel
you get to a hre?" was Mr.. Mott
next question
Save lives, if there are any to b.
saved" was the quick reply. IF M
lives are in danger then we help pu
out the fre."
Captain Park then told that at TIL
time the truck reached the fire it wa
manned by seven men and Lieutenan
Caffrey, Two men on one-day leav'
reported for duty later.
How many men are needed to mai
the life net?' asked Mr.. Mott.
Eight" was the reply.
Then you did not have enough mel
to man the metz" queried Mr.. Mott.
Members of the Salvage Corp
helped out my mem The net was full,
manned" was the reply.
When the net broke, why did no
your men use Blankets" questioned
Mott.
las l understand it it was the las
girls who Jumped that broke the net
said Captain Park. Had there beeI
more lives to save we certainly woul'
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