The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1919-01-16
Fox Movie Star Caught in Fire Trap
and Barely Escapes With His
Life When Blazing Hut Falls
as He Crawls Out

Miami, Jan. 16.--William Farnum
narrowly escaped being burned to
death during one of the scenes n his
newest photodrama Lucky Charm
| and for a few moments the director
Richard Stanton, and the hundreds OF
spectators stood as if riveted, with
blanched faces, until the William Fox
star with all his strength crawled
from under the burning hut aud just
| cleared 1t as it fell a blazing mass to
the ground.
A day previous the Zulu village,
which had been erected on the out
skirts Of Miami, had been burned to
the ground, while the hut which was
supposed to be occupied by the hero
was left standing so that necessary
closeup scenes could be filmed. This
hut was composed Of dry grass and
palm leaves that had been exposed to
the sun and were like finder.
Mr.. Farnum, supposed to be sur
rounded by savages who were seeking
his life, had successfully resisted their
efforts to dislodge him and as last
resort set the tinder-like hut afire
| hoping to drive him from cover.
All was in readiness and small
hole was cut in the frame work Of
the hut from which Mr.. Farnum was
to crawl when the fire became too hot
and make a dash for the jungles to
escape the savages. Mr.. Farnum, with
e. 40-7O gun in hand. was shooting
right and left when Director Stanton
gave the word to set the hut afire.
Watching the scene were several hun
dred tourists who did not realize the
| danger but were ready to see some
thing thrilling.
set fire yelled Stanton, and the
torches were applied.
Nov, 20 ahead, Bill" shouted STAN
ton to Mr.. Farnum.
Shooting right and left Mr.. Far
mum started the scene. In flash the
hut was a mass of blaze, with Mr..
Farnum underneath. So rapid was the
spread of the fire that it looked an ut
ter impossibility for the star to es.
cape from the now raging inferno. D
rector Stanton, with blanched face
shouted, For Gods sake, Bill, hurry,
or it will be too late"
Burning strands fell about the star
and the heat became so intense that
the leather on the moving picture
cameras began to peel. Now thorough
1 ly alarmed at his danger, Mr.. Farnum
made dive for the hole that had been
left open for the emergency, and
started to- crawl through. His gun
which he dragged with him, stuck for
moment. At that instant the frame
work started to totter. A cry OF fear
went up from the crowd and Director
Stanton made move to dive into the
blazing interior to save Mr.. Farnum
from what seemed certain death.
| With great effort Mr.. Farnum
got outside and, scrambling to his
feet, made two leaps just as the hut
fell in blazing ruins. His hair was
singed and the makeup melted from
his face by the terrific heat and his
clothes started to burn. In leap
Director Stanton was at his side and
put out the sparks. Aside from a
few minor burns he was unhurt. !
ut was the hottest place I have
ever been in or expect to be in, >
I said Mr.. Farnum after he had re-
} gained his breath. "The heat was SO
intense" he continued "that could
I feel it just bake into my skin. Say
I you know" he continued with smile
"that was sort of a lucky escape. A
s few moments more and then"
u Mr.. Farnum was the second mem
; Der of the Fox Company burned at the
village, property man being badly
1 burned about the arm when the vii
lage was destroyed by fire Monday
! night The injured man was rerortec
I as recovering nicely last night,