Nelson Chronicle, Colne Observer, and Clitheroe Division News. — 1897-10-15 (Nelson, Lancashire, England)

THE HEROISM OF FIREMEN. Confessions have been made by each of the prin. Londoners are intimately acquainted with the cipal officers with regard to the murder of Arroyo: bravery of their firemen, who, in a mission of fight. but these are held back from publication for the tug the flames and saving life, display an unsurpresent in the interests of justice. Velasquez con- passable contempt for danger. Many of their teased on Sept. 23, the day before his death, and valorous acts pass unrecorded in this city of many this confession has in part been published, but its fires, but from time to time the tale of their heroism truth is discredited, as Velasquez declared he is told in the unadorned language of the firereporter, sanctioned the murder solely on the grounds of his and such an opportunity is afforded by a coufiagraloyalty to the President. Caudite Cuellar, valet to tion which occurred during the early hours of Velasquez, is also in custody, he having confessed Sunday morning at 349, Old Kent Road. that he bought the knives by order of Velasquez. to These premises . consisted of a confectioner's be used on the niorning of Sept. 17, the day the shop, which was tenanted by a Mr. A. President was attacked. Villaviceneio and Bellido Janice, and a house of twelve rooms, occupied by are also deeply inplicated, and local excitement is I families of lodgers. The fire, which broke out in high in expectation of startling developments at the i the shop, had obtained a very strong hold before the trial. The Legation, while not denying the exist- people who were sleeping above were aroused to a mace of a deep-laid plot, states that up to the preseut tense of their danger. Then they found that escape no motive can be assigned for the attempted assassin, by the ordinary means was practically impossible. ation, either on the part of Arroyo or his alleged Several persons thereupon rubbed to the upper winconfederate. Engineer Tozer and his men were soon on the scene. They at once burst open the doors, and rushing up the staircase succeeded in bringing two of the inmates Richard William Thomas, aged fifty-six,suad Edward Rice, aged fifty-three, safely into the street. The firemen essayed to return, but the staircase was then in flames and ascent was impossible. Some of the lodgers who had gut out wifely excitedly explained that there were little children sleeping in the upper rooms. The escape haring by this time arrivad, the firemen hastily . adjusted the ladders and entered the upper windows • of the burning building in order to search for the missing ones, a great crowd which had assembled vociferously cheering the 'men as they disappeared through the windows, from which smoke was densely pouring, while the shop was blazing furiously. There was a painful interval of suspense, althoughl it was a brief one, and then there was a great burst , of applause when the brass-helmeted men reappeared, bearing between them two little children in their nightdresses. These were Ethel Elizabeth I Merchant, aged seven, and Harry George Marchant, aged six. Amidst a scene of tumultuous excitement the little ones were brought down the ladders safely to the street and wore found to be uninjured. The firemen then turned their attention to ex- I tingniah the fire, and did so after half an hour's work, but not until the premises had been very badly I damaged. The origin of the outbreak is unknown 1