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 [52] BURNING OF THE NEWHALL HOUSE HONORING THE HEROS On the afternoon of Friday, January 19, the hall of the Chamber of Commerce building was filled to overflowing with spectators who had been drawn thither to witness a public demonstration in honor of the brave men whose valorous deeds on the morning of the fire entitle them to lasting remembrance. Delegations from the Police and Fire Departments occupied conspicuous positions on the floor of the hall, while their respective chiefs, Wason and Lippert, together with President Freeman of the Chamber of Commerce, President BAUMGAERTNER of the Common Council, Chairman Weiss of the Board of Supervisors, and Gen. H. C. Hobart were seated upon the platform. Herman F. Stauss and George E. Wells — the heroes selected for especial commendation - and Stauss' newly- made wife, his mother and brother, also had positions on the platform, and were for the time the center of attraction. At precisely three o'clock President Freeman stilled the audience by a blow of the gavel, and directed Secretary Langson to read the resolutions which had been adopted by the Chamber of Commerce, expressing to the brave members of the Fire and Police Depart- ments their appreciation of the heroism at the Newhall House fire, where many risked their lives that others might be saved, and set- ting forth that, as Herman F. Stauss had exhibited conspicuous bravery on the occasion, the Chamber of Commerce desired to present him with a slight testimonial. Gen. Hobart, the orator of the day, then stepped forward and spoke as follows: On the morning of the tenth of this month, when the people of Milwaukee looked out from their windows upon the heavens, lit up by the lurid flames of the burning Newhall, they little thought that a hundred human beings were struggling and perishing in that fire. They little dreamed of the terror and agony of those imprisoned by the flames, or the fearful danger of those attempting to escape. 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 may never 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 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [53] BURNING OF THE NEWHALL HOUSE with such fearful rapidity that it was not in the power of man to save the building, and it is a marvel that tlie 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 fearless work of the Fire Department. The Police were equally prompt in responding to the first call, and they braved every danger in the discharge of their duty. There were heroes who deserve immortal honor: Louis Schroeder, with great exposure, carried a lady from the third story. Edward Riemer, A. A. Smith and members of Truck Co No. 1, rescued seven persons from the Broadway front. Officer Mathews brought out Mr. and Mrs. Cramer. Officer Sullivan 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. Lieut. Rockwood rescued 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 daring 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 imploring for help. Stauss was directed by his chief to take a ladder and go to their assistance. 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. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [54] BURNING OF THE NEWHALL HOUSE Gen. Hobart then paused, and as he beckoned Stauss to step to the front, 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." Here ensued a per- fect ovation, and the chamber rang with repeated outbursts of thun- derous applause. Stauss modestly bowed to the admiring crowd, while his happy wife and mother were visibly affected. After the introduction a momentary pause ensued, and Gen. Hobart then handed Stauss a handsome gold watch, chain and ladder charm, saying: "HERMAN F. STAUSS, I now have the honor to present to you, in behalf 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 morning of the ever-memorable January 10th." Stauss took the gift, placed it in his vest-pocket and bowed himself off the stage, amidst resounding cheers, after saying: "Gentlemen, I thank you for the great honor you have conferred upon me." In response to repeated calls for GEORGE WELLS, that brave young gentleman stepped forth and was introduced. He was greeted rapturously. Gen. Hobart then called for OSCAR KLEIN- STEUBER, whom he said deserved far more recognition than had yet been bestowed on him, but inquiry developed the fact that KLEIN- STEUBER was not present. The assemblage was then dismissed. Before retiring the crowd gathered around STAUSS and WELLS, and the heroes had to submit to a brief season of vigorous hand- shaking. The watch which was presented to STAUSS is of Waltham make, with a heavy hunting-case of 18-carat gold. Engraved upon the inner lid covering the works, is the inscription: "Presented to HERMAN STAUSS, by the Chamber of Commerce, Milwaukee, for conspicuous bravery in rescuing human lives at the Newhall House fire, January 10, 1883." The chain, also 18-carat gold, is simple in design and very heavy. Attached to it is a gold charm representing the hooks and ladder typical of the fireman's calling. Another pleasant episode, the result of a rescue at the fire, took --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [55] BURNING OF THE NEWHALL HOUSE place on the evening of the 23d, when Capt. M. H. Collins was the surprised recipient of a magnificent gold watch and chain from James Ludington. The latter was one of the regular guests at the house, and owes his life to the prompt action of Captain Collins in rushing to his relief through the smoky corridors. Mr. Ludington and the Captain have long been intimate friends, and the latter's first thought, on reaching the scene of the fire, was of Mr. Luding- ton's imminent danger. The watch is a heavy gold hunting-case, of Elgin make, appropriately engraved with the date of the confla- gration and the names of the donor and recipient. The chain is of gold, of unique design. On the 1st of February, Geo. E. Wells, who so gallantly assisted Fireman Stauss in the work of rescuing the poor servant girls, was presented with a handsome gold watch as a recognition of his bravery. On one of the cases of the watch is an engraving repre- senting the hotel before the fire, and on the other the inscription: "To George E. Wells, for his bravery during the Newhall House fire, January 10, 1883." A heavy gold chain and an onyx charm are attached. The money with which the gift was purchased was contributed by various business men of the city. The ladies of Grand Avenue M. E. Church, as a further token of their apprecia- tion of his efforts in saving life, presented him with a beautiful set of "The People's Cyclopoedia," two large, superbly bound volumes, and a purse of money. The publishers, Messrs. Jones Bros. & Co., Chicago, on learning the destiny of the books, donated, unasked, nearly half the price, and added "The Life of Gen. Garfield," illus- trated, paying the charges on the whole. =========================================================================== 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/ ===========================================================================