USA > Wisconsin > An illustrated history of Wisconsin from prehistoric to present periods : the story of the state interspersed with realistic and romantic events > Part 51
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in a chair. Then I ran down to the ladies' entrance and got a couple of the policemen, who helped Mr. Ludington down. I then thought of Mr. Paul, who was also on the Ludington floor. I met him hobbling along, nude, and I got officers to help him down which they did, I went up again, the third and last time. The smoke was so strong and the gas out that I could see nothing. I struck a match to light the gas, and it went out. I tried to light a torch, but I could not. The smoke was then so suffocating that I had to lie down. I went up all those times to get people out, and had to crawl back to the office on my hands and knees the last time. When I left the office the floor was falling in around the elevator. I gave young Antisdel two little boxes, but he did not take them out and I did. About ten minutes elapsed between the time I found the fire and was forced from the house. After I left the office I went out on Broadway. By that time four stories were all on fire. I stood around until I got cold, and then I went home .*
THE RUINS.
On the day following the fire, the clearing away of the debris, and the search for missing bodies, was begun, under the management of Captain William P. O'Connor, of the Board of Public Works, Horace M. Brown, M. D., and Arthur Holbrook and James S. Perkins, dentists, examined the relics, made a full report, which was filed for future reference. The work of excavat- ing was naturally very slow, as the smoking ruins were still in a heated condition, the weather was bad, and considerable water had collected in the pit. Forty- eight charred bodies were found, of which four, David M. Martelle, Robert Howie, Wm. C. Wiley and Mary Miller, were identified. The bodies were taken to a room in the Miller building, on the corner of Wisconsin street and Broadway.
The workmen, wherever was found a deposit of the pure white ash, which experience had taught them generally surrounded a body, carefully went on with their work. Every article, however small, that might have belonged to some of the unfortunate inmates, was saved and sent to the Central Police Station. From this source many friends and relatives of the lost were able to retain some slight memento of the dead. Judge George Reed's gold watch was found, and claimed by his son. David H. Martelle's and Robert Howie's watches also were found, and delivered to their friends.
The safes situated in the first story were removed, and in nearly every case were in good condition. Trunks were found in good shape, with the con- tents completely blackened. Madonnas and crucifixes were found. One of
* These extracts, together with the data and important events, are taken from "Burn- ing of the Newhall House " by Messrs. Julius Bleyer and Herman Bleyer, of Milwaukee, published in 1883.
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the Madonnas was remarkably preserved. The frame was charred to a cin- der, while the enameled picture remained bright and untarnished. Many coins were discovered, these in most cases found their way as relics to the by- standing citizens.
THE FUNERAL AND INQUEST.
January 23d, just two weeks after the day of the fire, the public funeral of the unidentified victims took place at Forest Home and Calvary Cemeteries. Twenty of the bodies were buried from the St. John Cathedral, and twenty- three from the Exposition Building.
The day was clear and bright, but cold. In many places business was suspended in order to attend the obsequies. Houses as well as many stores were draped in mourning.
The St. John Cathedral doors were simply draped with black and white. Inside the draping was much more elaborate. From the steps of the sanctuary back to the vestibule, sixty feet, was the bier, covered with black cloth, on which were placed in rows of two, the twenty coffins. Every inch of available space was occupied by sympathizers or mourners. Monsignor Batz, V. G., assisted by Rev. Father Weinman and Father Lucas, the Palestrina Society, singing, celebrated solemn high mass of requiem. As the chorus of about fifty voices rendered the sad strains of the requiem, women in every part of the church burst into audible sobs, and few were the eyes that were dry. Arch- bishop Heiss pronounced the ceremony of absolution over the remains, after which Father Matthew, of Racine, preached the sermon. He said :
" My text for this mournful occasion will be Ecclesiastes, twelfth chapter, seventh and eighth verses : ' Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was ; and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.' 'Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher ; all is vanity.'
" Death is one of the circumstances attached to life. When we come into this world we are born under the sentence of death. When it comes or how it comes we know not. God only knows. The true philosophy of life teaches us to prepare for that event. Religion tells us that the salvation of our soul depends upon dying in unity with God. I need not re-enact the terrible scene of that dreadful morning. The curtain of night held its pall over the habitation of man. Tired nature had sought refreshment and repose that comes from slumber. We know not the bright visions that passed through the minds of the unconscious slumberers. Some, no doubt, were living over again in pleasing fancy the joyous days of childhood. Again they sat by their own father's fireside, and talked of home and their childish pleasures. Others, with pleasing anticipations, dreamt of pleasures yet to come. We all have our expectations that the future will realize to us pleasures and happiness. So
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may we suppose was the minds of those slumbering occupants, on that dread morn, when the peal of alarm burst forth to call some to judgment and others to the trying ordeal that awaited them. Imagination cannot depict a scene more terrible, and it is hard for the mind of man to describe it in its re- ality. In that leap for life death was imminent ; behind them the most unmer- ciful element of destruction. The scene was alarming, though these terrified guests gave way not to despair. The preservation of life is an instinct of our nature. By jumping, death was probable; by remaining, certain. How beautiful the teachings of our Christ. In that last trying ordeal, faith sustained them, and hope animated them to offer their lives to their God. All human aid appeared to be unavailing. Kind hearts outside sympathized with them ; but God alone could assist them. On their knees, they supplicated Heaven's mercy, and in union they drew together before the cross of Christ; in that alone did they look for aid and mercy. 'I am the resurrection and the life,' says St. John in the Apoc- alypse ; ' he that believeth in me shall have everlasting life.' Animated with this idea they threw themselves on the mercy of God, and, in the words of Scripture, said : ' Into Thy hands, oh Lord, I commend my spirit.' It appears that the ear of God was not closed to the petition for aid. It came from a most unexpected source. A brave fireman, strengthened by the spirit of God, risked his own life, and in a manner familiar to you all, rescued a number of precious souls. These, whose bodies lie in the chancel, their lives, their faith and their trust in God might well justify us in saying: 'Oh! Grave, where is thy victory ? Oh ! Death, where is thy sting?' They died, as they had lived, true children of their church and faithful followers of the Lamb. In life they hoped, in death they were not disappointed. We can well say that this appeal from fervent hearts was addressed to the throne of God : 'Have mercy on me, oh Lord, according to Thy great mercy.' The decrees of God were verified. St. Paul says to the Hebrews : 'It is decreed for all men once to die,' They have paid that penalty, and, in resignation, submitted to that decree. They have left their bodies to us, which we this day are about to consign to the tomb. Their souls have returned to the God from whence they came. Their examples and their lives are still in the memory of those who knew them, and cherished most by those who knew them best. Though gone, yet to us they shall not be forgotten. The teaching of our church bids us to hold their memory in grateful remembrance, so that every kind thought may be a new prayer, asking for Heaven's mercy. This beautiful feature of our religion bids us pray for the eternal repose of their souls. The disfigured remains, though not recognizable to the eyes of mortals, yet are known to the ever-searching eye of God. That terrible day will long be fresh in the minds of the people of this community, and their memory shall not be forgotten by the church. So let us take warning by the fate of those
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who have gone before us; be you also ready, for you know not when God may call on you. Let us return to our homes from this saddening scene with hum- bled hearts and humiliated spirits. As we thus honor their memories, let us pray that God will have mercy on their souls."
Amid the music of the band and the tolling of the deep-toned bell the bodies were borne to the funeral cars.
The Exposition building was also crowded. The hall was profusely hung with white and black bunting. The ceremonies were commenced by Rev. A. F. Mason, repeating the Lord's Prayer. Rev. J. E. Gilbert then read one of the Psalms of David, which was followed by the singing of "Over All the Tree- tops." Another prayer followed by Rev. A. A. Koehle, after which the entire congregation joined in singing "Old Hundred." The funeral sermon was de- livered by Rev. J. N. Freeman, who said :
"The time allotted to this service requires that my words should be few. And this is well ; for who, in such a sermon as this, can give adequate utter- ance to his own surging thoughts, much less voice the feelings of this multi- tude? We are witnessing and sharing in the last public act of the awful tragedy which, a fortnight ago, burst with sudden and pitiless fury upon our beloved city-a tragedy which caused bitter tears which no human sympathy can wipe away, and wrought a desolation which no human means or skill can rebuild ; a tragedy whose shadows seem to deepen as the days pass. This group of nameless caskets gives silent but pathetic witness to our utter impo- tence to grapple with the mystery, and to make up the loss which is most real. The familiar block, now a ghastly ruin, may be restored to more than its original beauty and service; but who can build again the shattered hopes and plans, or restore to bereaved kindred and friends out of these poor fragments .the forms which were once goodly to look upon and dearly loved? This is no place to pronounce eulogies upon the dead, however deserving; nor to merely offer condolence to the sorrowing, however sorely needed. Rather is it ours in humility and reverence to give worthy Christian burial to these pitiful remains, in the name of thousands whose grief is the heavier because they are denied even the poor consolation of recognizing and giving private sepulture to their beloved. Well may this stricken city claim as hers, and pay due honors to those who once added their share to her wealth and worth ! Well may the place where their bodies shall find their last resting place be ever sacred to us and our children ! But, when these memorial serv- ices and this solemn pageant are over, when our life in home and city struggles back to its wonted channels, has our whole duty been done ? Is there no more which humanity, gratitude and religion call upon us to accomplish in memory of the dead and in behalf of the living? Surely, friends, there are deeper lessons, if we will receive them; nobler tasks, if we will consent to perform
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them. It is said: ‹ When the German ocean has been moved by a great storm, it begins to toss out amber upon the beach, and the jewel-makers rush down to the new sand. So, whenever the human ocean has been well moved it begins to throw forth things of value to those walking on the mortal shore.' What thoughtful mind can doubt that these sudden and mighty agitations should arouse us to higher ideals and nobler methods of life ? Who can doubt that the angel of terror and of death, the shadow of whose wings have been dark as night, may yet prove a ' ministering spirit,' leading us on to brighter because better days? If we will, out of these troubled waters shall come truer, richer health to human society; from this fiery trial character shall come forth purged of its dross. Among the throng of thoughts which are excited by this great calamity, there are three which I would especially emphasize. One is, the inestimable value of a single human life. Mortal though we are, we are not like the beasts that perish. Made in the image of God, we are charged with an immortal destiny. Whoever cuts short this
life, whether his own or another's, whether by malicious intent or by thoughtless neglect, will not be held guiltless by God, and should not be by men. We must check the fearful prodigality with which so many waste their own life and imperil the lives of others. Again, let us more fully recognize the relations that bind us together in human brotherhood. We are not, cannot be, independent of each other. However separated by the barriers of nationality, station, possessions, employments, creeds, we are one in the sorrows that afflict us and the death that awaits us. The things of which we so often boast are but the accidents, not the essentials of life. Why, then, should we suffer ourselves to be ever proud, contemptuous, exclusive ? That humanity is the richest, the most like God's ideal, which takes as its motto and rule of life, ' Each for all, and all for each.' Lifted by this sudden calamity and sorrow to recognize this fact in splendid deeds of heroism and generous sympathy and help, why should we ever lose sight of this high ideal? Once more let us not forget that there is a kindness which comes too late. Flowers upon the casket of the dead may bear pathetic witness to love, but how much better if we should strew more flowers along the dreary pathway of the living. Solemn hymns and chants are appropriate to a burial service; but can we not, if we will, put more music into the hearts and homes that are all too dolorous ? Eulogies over the departed may be sometimes helpful ; but a few hearty words of cheer and praise to our fellow-pilgrims, ere they leave us, are infinitely more. Let us then resolve, even beside these caskets of the dead, that we will think more, plan more, do more for those who are still with us. Then shall this sor- row, grievous as it is, bring a blessing that shall be eternal."
Rabbi I. S. Moses then arose and addressed the multitude in German, after which the funeral procession started, meeting the Catholic cortege on the
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upper end of Broadway, and from thence solemnly wended their way in the following order, toward the cemeteries :
FIRST DIVISION.
Marshal Bean and Staff. Light Horse Squadron. Bach's Band. Lincoln Guards. South Side Turner Rifles. Grand Army of the Republic. Milwaukee Turn Verein. Scandinavian Benevolent Society. Druids. Delegates from Eintracht Society. Carriages Containing Clergy. Three Carriages Containing Policemen. Hearses. Citizens' Committee. The Mayor. Municipal Organizations. Citizens in Carriages.
SECOND DIVISION.
Under Command of Assistant Marshal Thomas Shea. Clauder's Band. Sheridan Guards. Kosciusko Guards.
Knights of St. George.
Knights of St. Patrick. Order of St. Bonaventura.
St. John's Married Men's Sodality. St. Bonifacius Society. Ancient Order of Hibernians. Hibernian Benevolent Society. St. Gall's Young Men's Sodality. St. Pius' Society. St. Peter's Society. Band. St. Joseph's Society. St. Bernard's Society. St. George's Society.
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St. Stanislaus' Society. Runkel's Band. St. Anthony's Society. St. John's Young Men's Sodality. Heart of Jesus Society. Carriages Containing Catholic Clergy. Hearses. Delegation of St. George's Society as Pall-bearers. Carriages Containing Citizens and Delegations from Societies.
The cortege moved along, lined on each side by eager spectators, to National Avenue, near Sixth Avenue, where the military and civic societies forming two lines, came to a halt. The catafalques slowly were drawn be- tween the lines, after which the procession dispersed. The pall-bearers, clergy and relatives and friends accompanied the remains to the cemeteries where the last sad rites were performed. When the coffins were lowered, their numbers were called as follows : At Forest Home, 1, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 20, 23, 24, 26, 28, 29, 30, 40 and 44. At Calvary, 27, 32, 36, 37, 45, 22, 48, 33, 31, 39, 25, 47, 42, 46, 38, 21, 19, 34, 35 and 41.
THE INQUEST.
The inquest was commenced on the 23d of January, and adjourned Feb- ruary 5th, when the following verdict was rendered :
That the Newhall House was set on fire by a person or persons unknown ; that only one night watchman was employed in the hotel, and that he, having other duties to peform, was unable to attend to his proper duties, which should have received the attention of two or three men ; that the night watchman and night clerk, obeying previous instructions of the proprietors, lost valuable time in useless attempts to extinguish the fire, and neglected to arouse the inmates, and that when they did attempt to arouse those in the hotel, the corridors were so filled with stifling smoke that the employes were obliged to seek their own safety ; that the proprietors were guilty of culpable negligence in not having employed a sufficient number of watchmen to guard the house against fire and awake the inmates in time to save all the lives possible ; that, notwithstanding the facts that the Newhall House was easy of egress and devoid of intricate passages, that it had outside escape ladders on the northeast and southeast corners, and a bridge near the southwest corner leading across the alley to the opposite building, an inside servants' stairway from the fifth story to the base- ment, and two large open stairways in the front corridors leading from the office floor to the sixth story, with an open ladder to the roof, the owners of the New- hall House, knowing that many fires had taken place at various times in the
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hotel, are guilty of culpable negligence in not having provided more outside escapes in case of fire ; that the Fire Department did their duty as well as could be expected, but could have done much more had the ladder trucks been fully manned and equipped with the best extension ladders and the men well drilled to handle them ; and that the telegraph poles and wires caused serious obstruc- tion to the Fire Department by preventing them from using their ladders in a speedy and efficient manner at the time they were so much needed.
The pecuniary loss was estimated as follows :
Underwriters' value of the hotel. $140,000
Estimated value of furniture 26,400
$166,400
Insurance on building ...
$78,500
Insurance on furniture.
23,800
102,300
Actual loss $64,100
The people of Milwaukee were not slow to honor the heroic men who risked their lives to save others. On the afternoon of January 19, in the Chamber of Commerce building, were masses of people who had come to see the public demonstrations of honor. Herman F. Stauss and George E. Wells, the brave men that rescued the girls from the fifth story across the ladder, were the ones selected for especial commendation.
President Freeman, of the Chamber of Commerce, called the meeting to order, and General Hobart delivered the address, as follows :
" On the morning of the roth of this month, when the people of Milwau- kee looked out from their windows upon the heavens, lit up by the lurid flames of the Newhall, they little thought that a hundred human beings were struggling and perishing in the fire. Never did a fire-bell in the night presage a calamity more appalling-hardly in the history of the world, and never before in the record of this beautiful city. Morning never broke over the lake upon a scene so terrible, and God grant that it never may again. The first signal found a part of the fire department engaged in a distant part of the city, and but two-thirds of the force were able to respond promptly to the alarm. The fire spread with such fearful rapidity that it was not in the power of man to save the building, and it is a marvel that the skill and bravery of the firemen were able to confine that sea of flame within the blackened walls of the hotel. The valuable buildings and the wealth of merchandise now in the block of that ill-fated house are indebted for their preservation to the well-directed and fear- less work of the fire department. The police were equally prompt in respond- ing to the first call, and they braved every danger in the discharge of their duty. There were heroes who deserve immortal honor: Louis Schræder, with great exposure, carried a lady from the third story. Edward Riemer, A. A.
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Smith and members of Truck Co. No. I rescued seven persons from the Broad- way front. Officer Mathews brought out Mr. and Mrs. Cramer. Officer Sul. livan saved Mr. Hall. Officer O'Brien awoke and assisted Tom Thumb and his wife to escape. O'Brien and Miles rescued a lady from the balcony on Michigan street. McManus and Janssen lowered Elliott and sent him to a carriage, and then carried out James Ludington. Lieutenant Rockwood res- cued a lady from the flames on the third floor, and saved another as she dropped from a window. Rockwood, Riemer and McManus, with the aid of a ladder, assisted three to escape from the balcony. Oscar Kleinsteuber, with intrepid courage, ascended the escape on Broadway to the fourth story, and, with a lantern in his hand, fearlessly entered the building, and with heroic dar- ing piloted seven persons to the escape, who descended in safety. Borngesser, Ryan, Smith and Heyder, with great peril, entered the burning house and rescued five girls, with the assistance of Green, Riemer and Nodine. I shall now speak of the hero Herman F. Stauss, and his brave companion, George Wells. Several girls were seen in the sixth story windows over the alley implor- ing for help. Stauss was directed by his chief to take a ladder and go to their assist- ance. With an eighteen-foot ladder, he and Wells entered the Frackelton building and forced their way to the top of the block. Emerging upon the roof, the brave girls received them with ringing cheers. Poising their ladder within a foot of the edge of the building, it fell into the window opposite only a few inches. They called to the girls to come out and prostrate themselves and move forward by the aid of their hands. Wells held the ladder and Stauss reached forward and guided them across. In this manner five girls passed over to the opposite roof. Hearing cries from the same place, Stauss threw off his coat and hat and crossed over into the room, where the smoke was pouring out of the window, and the panels of the door were on fire. He found one girl lying upon the floor nearly insensible. Lifting her up he placed her upon the ladder. She grasped the sides with her hands and refused to move. Stauss stepped from the window on to the ladder; and with a nerve and heroism unparalleled, passed over the prostrate girl, then turning and kneeling down, he broke away her clenched hands, and with superhuman strength raised her with his arm, and almost in mid air, over a yawning gulf of more than sixty feet, bore her across this frail bridge in triumph to a place of safety."
Herman F. Stauss was then requested to step forth, and General Hobart said : " Allow me to introduce the heroic Herman F. Stauss, the subject of my only too inadequate words, who risked his life again and again for those poor girls."- Resounding cheers arose, and, waiting a moment, General Hobart went on: " Herman F. Stauss, I now have the honor to present to you, in be- half of the Chamber of Commerce of the City of Milwaukee, this watch, chain and charm, as a slight token of appreciation for your heroic actions on the
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morning of the ever-memorable January 10th." Taking the gift, Stauss bowed himself off the stage, after saying: "Gentlemen, I thank you for the great honor you have conferred upon me."
George E. Wells was then called for, and stepped forth and was intro- duced. Oscar Kleinsteuber, another hero, was also called for, but was not pres- ent, and the crowds dispersed.
On February Ist, George E. Wells was also presented with a handsome gold watch, chain and charm, by various business men throughout the city. The ladies of the Grand Avenue M. E. Church also presented him with a set of " The People's Cyclopædia," and a purse of money. The publishers, Messrs. Jones Bros. & Co., Chicago, added "The Life of General Garfield," beautifully illustrated, paying the charges on the whole.
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