Daily Kennebec journal., 1911-03-06
million Dollar Loss
At Minneapolis.
Two Women Reported TO
Have Died in Flames.
llemen Make Daring Rescues
From Furnace.Iike Building.
Twelve Occupants Of Upper
Stories Taken Down Ladders.

81.
he most disastrous fires This city has
ever known. destroyed the Syndicate
block on Nicolet avenue. between 5tt
ind 9th streets today. The total loss
$ estimated at $1,000, 900 and it is pos
fible that two lives were lost, although
his has not as yet been definitely de-
ermined, Twelve persons were res
,ued from the upper stories of the
building while the flames Were roar
ns around them. Some of these sus-
aimed slight injuries. but none was
criously hurt
The origin Of tho fire is unknown
he alarm vas given by some passers-
=. but before the tirenen had arriy-
81, the tenants of the building Who
we're asleep in tie upper rooms. be-
;an to appear at the windows, calling
raEtically for aid
\ strong wind was blowing and in a
cry few minutes tic west nalf of tn.
uilding was a furnace. The entire de-
Parhnent of minneapolis was called
ut. but it was totally inadequate to
n"ek the flames. Later st. Paul was
asked for help and it was Immediate
furnished.
When the fire department arrived.
nen were rlshed into the building and
umerous ladders were run up to aid
lie persons hemmed in by the fire on
he second and third floors.
On the second floor We're Mrs NJ
buck and Miss Ebuck. Mr. and Mrs
'harles Franson. ingram Franson. Miss
eta Franson. Mrs. Maril DnWpand
nd Mrs. Maria Heller were on the
!ird floor. On the fifth floor We're Mrs.
iafi' Holiister and Miss Treler
The Franson family. finding all cx-
by st9irways and front windows cut
II. made Cor the fire escape ON the al
Y side OF the building. Elmer Fran
on leaped to the fire escape through
he flames which We're being driven
y the wind past the window. out of
hice was his only escape Holding
he hot irons OF tie ladder he helped
is mother to climb through the Win
ow and step upon the platform beside
i'm.
AS soon as her hands touched the
Ills she shrleked and would have
ilien to the ground but Fireman Cald-
ell leaped to her rescue from a lad
er resting against the New England
uildinS which joins the Syndicate
uildinS. Caldwell made a jump of
lily 10 feet and took n chance of fall
8 to the pavement, 40 feet below, If
missed the fire escape. Fortunately
struck it right and reached Mrs
ransons side not u second too soon.
assisted her to the ground while
liner Franson followed shouting:
ha
lmcs; | saw them fall"
The tircmen made every effort to
rcak into the building at this place,
lt the neat was too great and they
ere repulscd All the members Of the
ransom family We're then assisted
PWn the fire escape and the firemen
sd little difficulty in rescuing those
the second and fifth floors. None
the rescued received injuries which
ecessitatcd visit to the hospital and
of the occupants of the upper floors
ere accounted for 1t is believed by
pc lircmen and police that young
ransom was mistaken when he said
saw two persons in the building as
left the fire escape.
The Syndicate building was a land
lark in Minneapolis and was erected
1882 by number of local business
On. About three years ago, it was
Irchascd by the Boston Trust Co.
The west .one-t third of the building
as occupied by the Model Clothing
o. The east one third was occupied
the Minneapolis Dry Goods Co.
hrec stories in the center of the block
ere occupied by Young and Quinlan,
dies tailor. j. B. Hudson & Son.
welers. and Woolworth's five and ten
mt store.
The upper floors in the center OF the
Hiding were rented by numerous
JctorS. several restaurants and Other
nants about 80 in all. These lost all
'eir property. The heaviest loser is
le Minneapolis Dry Goods Co. whose
LOCK was damaged by water and
noke to the extent of s350.o00. The
fincipai losses were covered by i'll
trance.