The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1913-07-25

snugnt from the burning wasse. rnss
dropped and were ashes before the
building fell. A few. less than a
dozen, went to windows and leaped
to the streets through waves Of
fame. They we're killed by the fall
Many girls who fuabed beadlong
down the stairway gave Up their lives
before they had made dozen steps.
II wss all % horribly quick, %
bresthlessly sudden, that strong mes
could not have survived, much less
young women with no quick grip on
nerve and little physical strength to
fight and scramble.
They that we're saved unhurt or
with comparatively slight injuries
were the ones who had been lucky
enough to be employed on the lower
floors. At the first alarm they did
not delay, because they heard and
smelled the blaze. They we're stirred
from their machines by the screams
Of Mrs. Reed B. Freeman, the wife OF
the president Of the clothing com.
pany. So that they had time ami
strength to get out before the over.
whelming sweep Of fire and smoke
conquered elevator, stairway and Ere
escapes.
The greatest loss Of life took place
on the topmost floor, the fourth,
where so girls sat knee to knee driv.
ing the machines that cut and sewed
patterns for mems overalls. For them
there wasn't ghost Of . chance.
Girls Leap to Death.
When the first engines came racing
into Wall street, with Chief Hoag
shouting commands to his men, the
firemen saw at once that there was
little they could do. Fire was run.
ming over all floors.
Girls we're streaming from the en-.
trance on Wall street, some with
their clothes afire, all hysterical from
fright. They stumbled and fell and
we're picked up by policemen and fire.
men and carried to the ambulances.
All at once, II seemed, occurred what
the crowds in the street looked for.
Girls appeared at the windows and
hurled themselves out. Their bodies
we're crushed against the brick pave.
ment.
Two girls showed against the rosy
windows on the Wall street side, on
the fourth floor. One seemed to be
carrying or supporting the other. The
larger girl showed her friend through
the window. The body dropped like
. stone for 60 feet. The other girl
leaped out and was dead when she
was picked up.
On the north and east sides the
girls were trying desperately to reach
the fire escapes. From the roofs OF
nearby buildings, people who first
reached such elevations saw the girls
staggering and weaving over the
floors, their arms crossed before their
eyes. vainly trying to protect their
sight from fame and smoke. The
watchers saw them labor toward the
windows and fall before they could
get there. overwhelmed by the rush Of
lame. Very few of the girls had time
even to get to the fire escapes.
So deeply were the people saddenei
by the pitiful end Of the young girl
factory workers that the destruction
OF the new postoffice and Of other
buildings adjoining the Binghamton
Clothing company caused little excite
ment. The building of the McKallon
Drug company, at the back of the
overall factory, was greatly damaged
By fire and water. A four-story build.
ing owned by Simon O'Neil and usen
as harness factory and shop was
gutted. The fire loss on all of these
buildings, including the factory, was
estimated at about sb00.n00.
Has q Clear Case.
Clarence As ! nndahsta nd IT. me boy.
old GutrOx first told yon that yon could
have his daughter and then went back
on his word: Willy-Thnt's Just bout
tn size Ot It. bah jOve. Clarence
Then deuce 1t. old chap. ] should s'ie
,im for nOnsupport. that's ail.-Puck.
III JULIAN HAWTHORNE