The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1912-01-19
RESCUERS ARE UNABLE TO
LOCATE BERGMANN'S BODY
Many Theories Advanced As To The Disappearance
Of Fireman George Bergman
No Trace Has Vet Been Found Of The Missing
Man-Searching Parties Are At Work
Clearing Up The Debris

Many theories are being advanc-
ed as to the possibility of Bergman
being a fire victim as was at first
supposed. Many people are inclined
to believe he is still alive, but the
majority of persons still believe he
will be found among the ruins OF
the building and are anxiously
awaiting the time when the clearing
away of debris will be completed.
One person states that he saw Berg
mann two blocks from the scene OF
the scene of the fire between s and
9 o'clock on Sunday morning. If
this is true there is little probability
of his being able to enter the burn
ing building after that time without
being noticed by spectators or fire.
men. However, the body of George
Bergman, the missing fireman, of
Protection Engine Company No.
has not as yet been recovered.
His wife and children are anxi-
ously awaiting his return as are also
his many friends in this place. But
as far as Bergman is concerned all
remains a mystery. He had no do
mestic difficulties and nothing is
known to exist to cause him to will
fully disappear. AS far as authentic
reports go, concerning the move
ments of George Bergman, up to the
time of his disappearance, it can be
truthfully stated that little is known.
In the excitement of the fire, men
may have been mistaken in the
identity of Bergman as all the men
were covered with ice and looked
alike. However, c. H. Rockwell says
that he and George Bergman work
ed together as a team on a stream on
the first floor of the Ref apartment
until the fire was eXtinguished on
that floor. He also said that they
took turns going out to get fresh air
as the smoke was very dense where
they were working. At about three
o'clock the line of hose was with
drawn from the Ref apartment,
when the fire broke through into the
Spettigue part. Mr.. Rockwell stated
to a representative of The Citizen
that he went into a nearby house for
coffee and afterwards returned to the
fire. Mr.. Bergman then went out.
This was close around three o'clock.
The belief that the missing man is
under the ice and ruins of the build
ing is growing stronger every day.
1t is known that when o. NJ. Spetti-
que, Jr., was overcome with smoke
went to his assistance. 1t is now
believed that he was one of this par
ty and met his fate while attempting
to assist young Spettigue. He might
easily have been one of them and the
fact not noticed for all the men were
covered from head to foot in ice. w.
w. Wood, county treasurer, who is a
member of the fire company, says
that he accompanied young Spetti-
que into the Spettigue apartment
with line of hose, in order to get
a good position to fight the flames.
He went in about a dozen feet when,
feeling himself overcome with the
smoke and heat, he turned back. On
going out he heard someone shout
"Help!" three times, and in a few
moments rescuers came from the
burning building, carrying Mr.. Spet-
tigue. One of these men might have
been Bergman or he may have been
overcome at that time, and when NO
assistance came to him, he perished
and now lies under the heap of de-
bris and ruins of the building. Until
this is cleared away there is nc
chance to get any nearer to the solu-
tion of the mystery. A rescue com
mittee was appointed by the town
council and II is composed OF Harry
Richards, C. p. Searle. c. H. Rock.
well, j. A. Bodie, Jr., w. w. Wood
E. H. Cortright, Frank MacMullen
and n. b. Spencer.
The men are now at work remov'
ing the ruined stock and derbris and
are doing all in their power to recov,
er the body which is supposed to be-
there.
Up to the time of going to press
no clue has been found, although the
men are still working on the case anC
have orders to spend as much money
as is necessary to clear up the mys
terry.
Since the disappearance the Berg
man family have been prostrateC
with grief and the loss. 1t is hardel
20 bear for the reason of the sus
pense and uncertainty. Mrs. Berg
mann is very low and is reported no
expected to live. The several small
children, deprived of a father, by /;
cruel fate, cry for his return. 1t il
surely a stricken home and the suf