Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2016 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Burning of the Newhall House Published by Bleyer Bros. Cramer, Aikens & Cramer, Printers - 1883 [38] BURNING OF THE NEWHALL HOUSE THE RUINS EXCAVATED On the day following the fire the work of searching for the remains of the lost in the ruins of the burned hotel was commenced by a large force of men under direction of Capt. William P. O'Connor, of the Board of Public Works. The progress of the work was necessarily slow at first, owing to the heated condition of the debris and an accumulation of water in the pit; inclement weather also militated against operations. Notwithstanding these adverse circumstances Capt. O'Connor carried the work through to a successful termination with surprising diligence. Forty-eight charred and dismembered relics of humanity were exhumed and sent to a room in the Miller Block, corner of Wisconsin street and Broadway, which had been kindly tendered for that purpose by Messrs. John M. and B. K. Miller. Of these fragments of bodies four were identified as the remains respectively of David H. Martelle, Robert Howie, Wm. C. Wiley and Mary Miller. These identifications reduced the number of bodies to forty-four; and after the physicians had made the official examination for the purpose of noting anatomical peculiarities that might at some future time lead to identification, a mattress upon which was the blackened imprint of a human form, and which was at first supposed to contain the dust of a victim, was rejected, leaving the number of unidentified forty-three. Horace M. Brown, M. D., and Arthur Holbrook and James S. Perkins, Dentists, conducted the examination of the charred relics and made a full report, which has been filed for preservation. Capt. O'Connor says a deposit of pure white ash was found around each body, gener- ally where the limbs would have been had they been intact. This white ash was an almost infallible indication of the presence of a body. The workmen were taught this by experience, and always proceeded cautiously when such ashes were reached. In a number of cases, however, white ashes were found without any visible remains of bodies, which leads to the belief that quite a number of the unfortunate victims were totally incinerated. How many will never be known. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [39] BURNING OF THE NEWHALL HOUSE While delving in the smoking mass of crumbled walls and ashes, every article found by the workmen, however small, was carefully preserved and sent to the Central Police Station. This wise course enabled many of the friends and relatives of the lost to obtain mementos of the lost ones whom death had so cruelly snatched from them. The collection of exhumed relics revealed many strange and wonderful freaks of the heat and flames. Articles of wood and paper, cloth and other perishable material passed through the crucible unscathed, while more sub- stantial things were found burned and fused into inconceivable shapes. A portion of Postmaster Payne's library was recovered in fair condition, while directly under the pile of volumes the remains of an unfortunate were found charred beyond recognition. Trunks were removed intact, but with contents thoroughly blackened and water-soaked. The contents of several baskets of champagne were recovered in good order, but the wicker receptacles had crumbled to ashes. About a dozen gold watches and a large number of rings and other articles of jewelry were unearthed. Conspicuous among the time-pieces was that of Judge Geo. Reed. It was sadly battered and minus half the case. On opening the remaining side the following inscription was revealed: "To Geo. Reed, projector of the Wisconsin Central Railroad, from his friends of Stevens Point, Waupaca, Weyauwega and Wausau." Judge Reed's son claimed the sad memento. The gold watches of Robert Howie and D. H. Martelle were also recovered and delivered to their friends. Amongst the jewelry recovered was a gold signet ring which bore the inscription, "Katie to Will, Dec. 25, 1880." A box of valuable papers belonging to Wm. E. Cramer, the veteran journalist, was brought to light in satisfactory shape. Shortly after the box was found a policeman picked up a crumpled document which, on examination, proved to be Mr. Cramer's will, that had become separated from the other papers when the box was crushed. Several Madonnas and crucifixes graced the miscellaneous collection of relics. One of the former articles emerged from its fiery baptism in a remarkable condition; although the frame was charred --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [40] BURNING OF THE NEWHALL HOUSE to a cinder, the enameled picture remained fresh and untarnished. Tom Thumb's numismatic collection became widely scattered, as was evidenced by the numerous quaint and ancient coins that were taken from the ashes. Most of this class of articles found their way into the pockets of citizens as relics of the fire. All the safes belonging to the firms who occupied the first floor were lifted out of the rubbish, and in every instance the contents were found well preserved. Great interest was manifested when the hotel safe was unearthed, as it was hoped it would contain the register book with its valuable list of guests. But the eager group which surrounded the grimy casket was doomed to disappointment, for when the door swung open it was discovered that the precious volume had not been saved. =========================================================================== If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access more of our growing collection of FREE online information by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/ ===========================================================================