The New York herald., 1920-01-19
THRILLING REsCUES
MARK BRONX FIRE;
]. BARLEYCORN AIDS
Influenza Victims Saved at
Mckinley Square Casino Blaze
Hip Flasks in Evidence.

Mckinley Square Casino, at Boston road
and 169th street, a famous old gathering
place for dance clubs, lodges and Is oor
meetings, was destroyed yesterday morn
ing by fire which was marked by thrill
ing rescues of influenza victims. the mar
row escape of more than score OK ire
men from falling walls and the calling
out OF the John Barleycorn reserves, SUP n
posedly demobilized. More than siVV,Voo
damage was done.
The blaze started on the top floor or the
frame building, in quarters occupied py
the Auerbach Annex Dancing Schooi'
These rooms were In part OF tne struc-
ture which. before it was connected with
the main Mckinley Square Casino, was
Known as Crotona Casino With the turn
ing in of the alarm Deputy Cnlets Thomas
Hayes and Smokey Joe Martin were
soon ut the place, but saw that nothing
could save the old triangular structure In
the high wind that was roaring through
it, Within a few minutes after the start
and while about fifty firemen were at
work in front of the building shout was
raised that the top wall, surmounted oy
a large electric sign was topping.
Two firemen jumped to the seats OF the
automobile engines at the curb and drove
them off just as the crowd OF firemen
scattered before the falling debris. George
Stewart. Of Engine Company No. 49, was
struck by falling brick and was badly
hurt about the left arm and ankle. He
was treated and taken back to his quar-
ters Steve Van Austin, Of the same COM
pany. was slightly injured by bricks. but
was not put out.
Fireman Andrew Dunn, OF Engine Com
panv No. 4l, was overcome by smoke. He
received treatment on the sidewalk and
recovered Just in time 10 hear that several
women were in danger in the building at
No II, East 169th street adjoining the
Casino structure. He started TO the res
,ve closely followed by Lieutenant John
Gilmartin, of Engine Company No IL and
a squad of his men. Lieutenant Gilmartin
went UP . ladder and entered an open
window, disappearing in cloud OF smoke.
After a seemingly lorg time he appeared
with, Miss Anna Larkin, thirty-five years
old who had been bed ridden with IN
fluenza, in his arms.
Back of him was Miss Catherine Larkin
lthrty-r Inc wears old, who had renamed
IN the danger of fire and smoke. 10 nurse
her sister. The other firemen rescued
Iron another floor Mrs Maud Hotz. thirty
nine years old. The rescued women were
attended by persons in nearby house. by
| Drs Tsosen and Schieffelin and six nurses
OF the Lincoln Hospital who had arrived
within few minutes OF the start of the
fire The Larkin sisters were removed
to the hospital. and Mrs. Hotz was taSer
20 the nome OF friend.
So efficiently did the nurses OF the
Lincoln Hospital. who are negro women
work that It was not necessary for the
fire chiefs to send in the new department
Isignal-No lS-intended to bring Red Cross
| aid with hot coffee and other refresh
ments. In some mysterious way old Johr
Barieycor showed his face, through ~
aid Of numerous persons about the neign
borhood. and in the biting cold the hi
pocket reserves performed valiant ser
lvice.
Occupants Of seven houses in UnioI
avenue. in the rear of the burned building
were ordered from their homes because
OF the danger OF a collapse of the rea
wall OF the burned building. The houses
are near enough to the rear wall to b.
overwhelmed by tho wreckage. Chic
HAYES has requested the city authorize
to remove the menace as soon as possiol
to enable the return of the ousted fam
lilies to their homes.