Jackson, Michigan, USA
1884 - THE WORK OF DEATH. FOUR LIVES LOST AT A FIRE IN JACKSON, MICHIGAN. SURROUNDED BY FLAMES THE VICTIMS JUMP FOR THEIR LIVES.

Jackson, Mich., Feb. 26. - A conflagration swept away the Union Hall block, a four-story building, costing $125,000 in 1864, and containing four stores, a bank, a hotel and a theatre, and also burned to the ground three frame buildings and half destroyed two more, which joined the Union block on the east. Four lives are reported lost, but the body of only one has been found. It proved to be that of CHARLES CORNELL, a crippled soldier. JOHN PRIOR, MRS. BANKS, a colored waiter, and an unknown colored man are yet missing.

Three inmates of the house hung from third-story windows of the frame buildings in their night clothes for a time, when two jumped and were badly injured.

JAMES HERNES, of Cleveland, struck the telegraph wires, was whirled into the air, and fell to the walk, breaking his collar bone and left shoulder and bruising his head. He will die.

CHARLES KIMBALL, of Kalamazoo, jumped and received a severe scalp wound and injured his left hip and knee, but will recover.

The third, JAMES BRADSHAW, colored, aged 85 years, was rescued, but was badly burned. His recovery is doubtful.

The fire originated in J. J. BARNE'S cigar store, in a frame building, and shot through to the house kept by JOHN CRACK, a Polander, in which the people were injured and killed. Despite a strong east wind the fire crept eastward, burning out WILLIAM AULTMAN, dealer in boots and shoes; JOHN ROTH, a jeweler; CHARLES ANIBA'S barber shop and residence; RUTSON Brothers' confectionery; BARROTT & DALY'S tin shop; and MOSES WEIGOR'S saloon. While these rookeries were ablaze some indiscreet person opened an iron door from Union hall, when a gust of wind carried the fire into that building, resulting in the burning of nearly $150,000 worth of property. The occupants of the brick block were WALDRON & CURTIS druggists; H. V. PERRIN, banker; C. K. ELLIOTT, grocer; H. H. CASE, grocer; N. H. RECKLER, billiard hall; the Union hotel, and Union hall.

JOHN CRACK keeper of the lodging house, told a correspondent that fourteen Swedes, Polanders and negroes went to bed in a drunken state at his house, and but five were seen this morning. A thorough search will prove the truth or falsity of this story. Thieves began their work of pilfering at once, and by noon seven were taken in charge.

The Union block was an immense building, and Union hall was for many years the favorite for theatres and dancing. Since 1879 J. C. WHITNEY has had the management of the place.

The entire loss will not fall much short of $200,000.

The Evening Gazette
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
February 26, 1884

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