The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-02-02


which were occupied. The flames
burst throughout the lower story i'm
mediately. When firemen arrived
they were able to rescue a few chill
dren who were dropped by their par Y
ents from upper windows. Il,
Some adults were also saved in this
way. A group OF railroad switchmen,
VINO happened on the scene in advance
OF the hremen were reported to have
saved fifteen children.
At daybreak Fire Chief O'Connor
said that the ruins were so hot that
1t would be many hours before search
OF the wreckage could be made and an
accurate account of the loss OF life
ascertained. The water thrown on the h
ruins froze almost as fast as it fell
and the burning gas, which remained
alight long after the material had
ceased to burn, presented an unusual
spectacle, much as If an iceberg were
on fire.
Employees of the gas company scat
tered throughout the neighborhood to
guard against possible other leaks
nave added to the alarm felt in the
u1strict. For this reason many whose
MONIES were in no danger from flames
carried their household goods into the
streets. Paven1ents and sidewalks
were Uttered with many such little
collections. cradles. chairs and tables
meagre exhibits testifying to the
poverty of the neighborhood. n
Those driven from their homes
found refuge from the cold at Hull
House settlement, hospitals police
stations and in stores whose proprie-
tors, when alarmed by the explosion.
opened their doors.
In one little grocery store was a.
scene typical of many others. The.
place was crowded with excited men
and women crying and talking excit
edly in Yiddish. Among them was Mrs
John Lancowski. She wore a night !
gown a shawl, one slipper and ones
boot. 81
She had brought her six children
safely out Of the building but in the
excitement had lost them again. The
Oldest, she said, was 10. an
Patrick Donohue, an assistant fire
marshal, said that when he reached
the scene a great flame Of gas was
leaping across West Fourteenth place.,
"A lot of those people," he said,
were in bed asleep and had no chance
to escape. Where gas and flames did
not cut them off falling stairways and
crumbling walls did,
Others who were upon the scene
early asserted they saw women with
hair and clothing ablaze, carrying orr
dragging their babies into the street.
Morris Feldman, janitor Of the
building, said that 81 persons were, or
should have been in the building last
night. OF these. 40 were missing and
probably dead. Among the buildings
damaged was the Garfield school,
When the children assembled and
learned OF the situation they shouted
with Joy to each newcomer: 4
mo school today! No school today!"
An incident disclosed by the coming
Of daylight was that of a seven year.
Sla boy Stanley Sasts nh, slowiez found St
off the gas and electric lights in the
district and in the darkness the child
clad only in a union suit, ran into
secluded nook where. benumbed with
cold. he fell asleep. He was sent to 81
hospital.
Two tenants of the building who
escaped but would not give their
observed yesterday afternoon and was
reported to the gas company.
Firemen dragged Mrs. Peter Spitz-
ley from the ruins clasped in the arms
Of her husband. She died on the way
to a hospital. The Spitzleys' five chill
dren are missing and are believed to-
be dead.
{ When Mrs. Lancowski had overcome
her hysteria she told OF rescuing her
children.
my husband is a night Waterman
and was alone with my six children.
I dragged the children from their beds
and ran to q window and screamed
for help. Flames were sweeping across
the street and moving toward where
was, August Schweisthan heard me
and came under the window. drop
ped my children to him one by one"
Firemen attacking the Recovered
mass OF wreckage penetrated through
the outer crust at 10 a. m. and declared
they could distinguish what seemed
to be voices talking beneath them. Eff
forts to remove the debris were re-
doubled and ambulances were sent for
in the hope that victims still alive
might be rescued.