| Show The Chicago Hotel Disaster CHICAGO March 22The Langham Hotel caught fire at 8 oclock last night caused by the overturning of a kerosene lamp The general alarm was given half an hour after the fire broke out but all the engines which could be brought to play on the flames could not get the fire under control MR S W SEARS OF SALT LAKE CITY Who with his wife occupied a suite of I rooms Nos G7 and 6iU on the top floor graphically described their narrow escape from their apartments We were in our room he said when I heard the cry of fire I opened the door leading into the hall but was instantly compelled to close it on account of the smoke and flames that filled the corridor and which rushed into the room with such intensity that I was I BLINDED AND NEARLY SUFFOCATED As soon as 1 could withdraw I hastened to the window and threw it up but here as at the door the smoke was so dense and poured in at the open casement in such volumes that before I could lower the sash the room was filled My wife threw her arms about me and sobbed IT IS CERTAIN DEATH ISo I-So I thought but I tried to calm her though I felt certain that death was but a few moments distant but my wife suddenly tore herself from me and said there was a bottle of chloroform in the room and that we should both take it to make death more easy I was reasoning with her against this when I heard sounds at the window which I could not see and in a moment more FIREMEN SPRANG THROUGH THE CASEMENT and taking my wife in their arms bore her down the ladder in safety I followed and thank God we are now unharmed unless the terror of the experience results seriously to my wife she is in a delicate condition He was I telling the story at the Clifton House I where he had taken apartments My wifes and my own wardrobe which I could not replace for 2000 is lost and I also lost 1200 in currency We escaped with only what we had on J W Nye and his daughter of San Francisco were assisted from their room on the fourth floor to the sidewalk by firemen Miss Nye had to be carried bodily down the ladder by a couple of fire t laddies and her father tIT t-IT SEEMED AN AGE Before they got that ladder in position said Miss Nye last night with a shudder and yet it was only few minutes |
