Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 304, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 December 1910 — TWENTY-FOUR LOST LIVES IN BIG CHICAGO FIRE. [ARTICLE]

TWENTY-FOUR LOST LIVES IN BIG CHICAGO FIRE.

Million Dollar Loss nt Morris Packing Plant, Where Gallant Fire Laddie* Met Their Death. The terrible fire at the Nelson Morris packing plant Thursday is the absorbing topic of the middle west. The Chieago papers are filled with glowing accounts of the heroic work of the firemen, of the terrible sorrow that brought misery to many homes, and of the many prompt responses to a call for aid to provide for the families left unprovided for by the disaster. The fire started at 4 o’clock Thursday morning. The fire spread rapidly and at one time streams of water from 57 engines were playing on the flames. The terrible heat almost stifled, the brave firemen, and while fighting the flames a npmber of the firemen sought some protection from the heat by standing beneath an awning. While there the great brick TTuilding to which the awning was attached, caved in and the men werep buried beneath the mass of brick and timber. The .rescue work was started at once but it proceeded slowly as the flames continued to rage. Among the killed was Chief James Horan. His body was not recovered until 9:30 o’clock Thursday night. Twenty of the others killed were firemen and 3 were employees of the stock yards. The fire fighting was directed by Assistant Chief Seyferlich after the death of Horan. At midnight Thursday night the flames were still raging and there was great doubt if a serious spread could be avoided. At one time the Swift plant caught fire, but the flames were quelled. The damage to the Nelson Morris plant is estimated at $1,000,000. The fire was watched by Edward Morris, president of the company, and his family. He was terribly shocked by the dpath of the brave men who were trying to save his property. J. J. Montgomery, chief of the Rensselaer- department, was personally acquainted with Chief Horan, Assistant Burroughs and several of the firemen who lost their lives. He went to Chicago on the 3:13 train Thursday and expected to visit the scene of the fire. He was filled with emotion at the sudden death of his fellow firemen and could scarcely talk about the matter. Several other disastrous fires have occurred within the past few days. In Philadelphia a fire Thursday resulted in 14 deaths. In Cincinnati on Wednesday the manufacturing district suffered a fire that caused three deaths and a property loss of $2,500,000. In New York on Dec. 19th, a powder house explosion killed 10 and injured 125, with a property loss of $3,000,000. On Dec. 21st in Bolton, England, an explosion in the Little Hutton colliery, resulted in 350 deaths. A disastrous fire is reported to be raging Orleans today. —ltstarted in the Schubert theatre;