The evening world., 1911-11-25
INJURED FIREMAN
GIVEN LAST RITES
IN Speeding AUTO
Overcome by Smoke in Web
Ster Hall, He Tumbles and
Head Is Crushed.

Standing on the ~runn'ngboard OF a
racing Fire Department automobile,
lodging trucks and other trafhc, the
Rev. Father Mclean, chaplain OF the
Fire Department. to-day administered
the last rites OF the Catholic Church to
Lieut.. Collins OF Engine Company No.
70. who had his head crushed during a
fire that wrecked Webster Hall. at
Eleventh street and Third avenue.
Collins reached st. Vinccnt's HOSPITAL
In a serious condition and little hope is
held out for his recovery.
lie was lighting the fire In the dance
hall on the second floor. and climbed to
"A small balcony to direct operations. He
was overcome by smoke and fell twelve
feet down the stairs, where he was found
unconscious a few moments later by a
member of his company. lie was at
tended by DR.. Smith. surgeon OF the de-
plrtment. but II was seen he was seri-
ously hurt and he was lifted into the
automobile OF Deplty Commissioner
Olvaney.
The Deputy Commissioner and his
chauffeur held the injured man In front
OF them while DR.. Smith worked over
him. Father Mclean stood on the
runnlngboard on the way to the hos
pital while the machine was going at
III. rate Of forty miles an hour.
HALL SCENE OF EAST SIDE FEs-
INVITES.
Webster Hail. famous for years as
the scene OF festivities OF east side
and downtown social and political or
Tnnizatlons. In "A five-story brick struc-
ture. occupying Nos. ii9 to l25 East
Eleventh street.
on the ground floor OF the annex. No.
1876, live Joseph Winderman. one of the
proprlctors of the hail. and his father
and mother. Mr.. and Mrs. Samuel
Winderman.
Joseph was awakened by the fre.
which had worked its way down
through the studding from the mansard
roof Of the main building into the an
mex n he FASTENED to arouse his
elderly parents. AS he entered their
room the ceiling fell. bury!ng all three
IN plaster. They escaped without seri-
Gus injury as did Joseph's wife
children and several employees who
slept at the nall.
West OF the building is st. Ann Par
ochlal School. but there was no session
to-day, 30 no children were In the build
ing. The Sisters sleep at 81. Bridget's
Academy In Tenth street near Avenue
3, 80 none OF them were In danger. To
the west, on the corner. Is the Child
ren's Court, and In the rear are ST.
AIMS Cnurch and the Schuman apart
ment house.
Deputy Chief Langford sent In a sec
ond alarm, which brough Acting Chief
Martin. The blaze was fought from all
sides ana surface car traffic on Third
avenue was suspended for more than
an hour
A high pressure hose burst at the
northeast corner Of Eleventh street and
Thlrd avenue and with the end Of a
coupling threshing about under a 100
pound pressure. endangered many per-
sons until the hose became wedged be-
tween AN elevated pillar and Deputy
chief Martins automobile. More than
ATTY spectators were thoroughly
drenched while the busy piece OF rubber
vas doing its stunt.
The fire and water damage IN es-
timated at about sl5.O0 A great deal OF
water ran into the basement of st.
AIMS Church,
There was a dance In Webster Hall
last night and 1t Is believed the blaze
was started by "A cigarette.