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Newspaper
Fort Wayne Journal Gazette
Location
Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States of America
Date
May 05, 1908
Page
6
Coverage details the grim aftermath at the Aveline hotel ruins where eight identified bodies were removed, a possible eleventh found, and more presumed buried. Militia guarded debris as rescuers labored overnight, with many telegrams of concern and mournful stories from travelers and relatives reaching local telegraph offices.
The forecast reports light to moderate rain in Ohio on Tuesday with Wednesday partly cloudy skies and a few showers in the extreme northern portions. Lower Michigan should be fair Tuesday with rain in the extreme northern valleys and Wednesday partly cloudy with fresh northeast winds. Indiana and Illinois expect rain Tuesday, Wednesday partly cloudy, with possible hail in the extreme south portions and fresh northeast winds.
May 4 At the Aveline hotel a fire trapped Jenkins son of the county clerk and Paul Rose on the fifth floor. They leaped to the roof and clung to a cornic of the Nations bank building five feet away. Jenkins and Rose landed safely while a Mr. Milles fell to his death.
A rough casualty list notes victims named with residences and morgue removals. Names include Johnson J S of Pann Til Remind, Joseph W Devlin ey of Philadelphia, William Pitcher of South Mina, Maurice Hirsch of Chicago, R Triebels of Dallas, Mary Burkat of Mishawika, Sarah Hathaway of Mishawa, Eb Ellis of Chicago, J B Miller of Philadelphia, Jul 2 Strohecker of New York City, James A Foster of Lowell Mississippi, M E Lewly, M Matthews of Columbus, Asna Block of Fort Wayne, Nadeau of Wyantotte, Margaret Meehai of Port Wayne, George Saw of Cincinnati, Nathaniel Ball of Fort Wayne, F G Philips of Calumet, Lynan Campbell of Chicago, Herman Beligman Burter, Charles Benjamin of Detroit. Fire injuries and burns reported for several, with condition serious to critical. Relatives fear Morris L Kleinzahter perished in New Avenue fire at Fort Wayne after stopping there Sunday.
The morgue in Pellier identified EJ Ells of Carson Pirie Scott as the deceased. Relatives Johnny Skelton and J P Olwin confirmed the name after arriving yesterday. Coroner Keeler authorized burial in Chicago, with Ells 40, a Mason, survived by wife and eight year old Ruth. He planned to retire soon due to wife’s fears of hotel deaths.
The text fragment shows Miller evidently tried to do the same thing but missed while Sioran escaped with only his clothing remaining. The passage reads as an incomplete report, offering limited context about the incident, participants, or location.
Telegrams from relatives flood New York as Herman Seligman a traveling man from New York City is reported missing after a planned stop at the Burnett house in Logansport. Aveline clerk John Pauley recalls Seligman asking for his mail while a search implicates possible remains in local ruins. V P Charles Strawbridge of Bass Foundry travels from New York aiding the inquiry.
Chief of Police Martin A. Anken teren reported a search of the ruins for the hotel register. He found one register partial up to April 2 and a fragment of another with bank pages. He believes the register in use at the time of the fire will not be recovered. Hundreds of valuables have been recovered and others placed under lock or guarded at the court house and police headquarters. CC W Chappel of Hillsdale had a sample trunk in the fire but it was recovered badly water soaked.
Gruesome investigation at a morgue seeks to prove whether a body is Charles Benjamin of Detroit or another person. Relatives mourn as doctors confirm it is not Benjamin. Ira D Jacobs said he found Benjamin’s effects for family in Detroit while doubts linger about the remains. Benjamin, twenty two, worked for Detroit Neckwear Co and faced a deadly hotel blaze fears.
The charred body identified as Frank Baxter after dentist Dr. Hoffman of Auburn confirmed the teeth matched fillings Baxter had. Baxter’s father W. Baxter, uncle Miles Baxter, and brother George Baxter stood at Bloom morgue with doctors and mourned as rescue work continued at the ruins. The identification came after hours of anticipation at the site in Auburn.
A fractured report describes the initial body removal from a morgue and a witness Moran of Thusville Massachusetts recounting a leap to death. The narrative follows a traveling salesman for the Lunn and Sweet Shop Co of Boston, a dangerous moment, and a single hurried glimpse from a transom upon the ledge near a building.
Thomas F. Blayshall, Democratic nominee for governor from Columbia City, heads to Indianapolis for a two day visit beginning tomorrow. The State Committee plans to raise campaign funds and outline speaking engagements with county tours and city rallies. Party officials expect a vigorous effort to energize supporters and challenge Republicans.
Coroner Kesler, after examining witnesses, labels the hotel basement fire a “deathtrap.” He notes an elevator shaft lined with pine and dry shavings aiding the blaze, with the basement as the probable starting point. He promises a thorough, blame-focused verdict, praising the escape of many yet fearing the loss could have been larger.
Journal Gazette staff labored from 8 Sunday morning to 3 Monday morning during a major fire. Employees helped discover flames and aided in rescues before five editions were produced. Foreman F. Sprunker collapsed from exhaustion but soon returned to work Monday night.
Columbus May 4 The Democratic state convention meets tomorrow to decide endorsement for U S senator or to back a state primary. Former Governor James E Campbell leads the push to endorse for senator with Cleveland Mayor Tom G Johansen backing him. Harmon is said to be nominated by acclimation while Canton’s Atlen Pomerete vows to fight on. Bryar is widely expected to receive the presidential endorsement and Denver delegates’ instruction. The gathering starts at 7:16 with Edward W Moore delivering the keynote at Goodale Park auditorium.
Washington May 4 eight-mon th telegraph reports from publishers nationwide show higher print paper costs. John Norris of New York corrected testimony about a $12 per ton rise on 13,090 tons totaling $150,000. Norris alleged International Paper planned contracts with Canadian mills to curb US supply and keep prices high. The committee plans to visit Palmers Falls to study production costs and hear from 46 publishers willing to testify, with adjournment set for tomorrow.
Washington May 4 The banking and currency committee voted to table the new financial measure while lawmakers debate currency plans. The tabling passed thirteen to three with Weeks Burton and McKinner voting No. A resolution by Mr Weide sought extra time for discussion in the house and awaiting guidance from Speaker Cannon on proceedings.
An Indianapolis pro prohibition manifesto by the Indiana Manufacturers and Merchants club argues general prohibition would devastate capital, jobs, and linked industries. It details the club’s leaders, aims, and warns of wide economic harm across manufacturing, retail, and allied sectors.
Fragmentary text references opera titles and individuals including Anton Harker and Robinson in Cincinnati with alarms noted. The readable portions imply a historical newspaper item mixing performances, personal fates, and locations but lack coherent detail to form a full event.
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