Democratic Sentinel, Volume 6, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 January 1883 — THE MILWAUKEE HORROR. [ARTICLE]

THE MILWAUKEE HORROR.

A Milwaukee dispatch of the 16th says: Fifty-one bodies have so far been recovered, twenty-eight of which are burned beyond recognition, leaving thirty still missing. The excavati >n reached the west wa 1 yesterday, where hve bodies were found in a heap under the location of the servants’ quarters. A correct estimate as to the loss of life it is impossible to form until the books of the hotel can be got. The above estimate, giving flftv-one dead and thirty missing, making the probable total loss of life eighty-one, is thought to be as nearly correct as possible by all parties. The afternoon papers made the following statement: “Taken to the morgue, sixteen: received from ruins, twenty-one; since died, eight; dead not taken to morgue, five; total fifty. This does not include the fragments of bodies found. About forty people reported missing are yet unaccounted for, which swells the list to ninety. It is almost a sure thing that over 100 people lost their lives by the calamity.” John Gilbert,- the actor, is reported better. He imagines he has been on a big spree, and remarked to his physicians this morning that “This drinking whisky is a terrible thing.” It is thought that he may not survive the shock of the news of the death Of his wife. It will be kept from him as long as possible. Christina Hagen, one of the servants reported missing, is safe. This makes ninety-six known to be saved out of 177. A Milwaukee dispatch of Jan. 17, says, The fifth day’B search through the ruins 61 the burned Newhall House for the remains of the victims of the mighty conflagration ended with the discovery of the fragments of eleven bodies, making a total of thirty-nine found since {lie work was "begun. The hotel safe was dug out and the doo s pried open, but neither the hotel register, nor any book or paper of the slightest importance in showing- who was in the hotel when it was burned, was brought to light Some excitement was caused in the city by the arrest of George Scheller, proprietor of the bar-room in the Newhall House, on the charge of setting the terrible fire. He was jailed and a strong guard placed over him, as ominous threats of tynching were made by citizens. George Scheller, who is charged with firing the Newhall House, was the other night removed from the jail to the House of Correction. and then taken by special train to Waukesha to avert a lynching. It is now alleged that Scheller attempted the destruction of the house by a gas explosion some days before the fire. A Milwaukee dispatch of Jan. 18 says: “Five bodies were recovered yesterday, making a total of forty-three, all beyond recognition. Twenty-three were identified dead, and it is supposed from fifteen to twenty are still missing.” _ A Milwaukee dispatch of Jan. 19 Bays: “The remains of three persons were taken from the ruins of the Newhall House yesterday, and it is believed four bodies are still in "the debris. The total loss of life by the catastrophe is now placed at seventy-ftva The Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce presented to Herman F. Strauss, the hero of the Newhall House fire, a watch and chain valued at #350, and the ladies whom he rescued gave him a locket with pictures of eleven women and onqjchlld ”