University of South Carolina Libraries
7 4 McCORMICK MESSENGER, McCORMICK, S. C., THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1936 m m Adventurers’ Club “Red Death and Black Panic By FLOYD GIBBONS Famous Headline Hunter M ILTON AUERBACH of Atlantic City, N. J., brings us today’s thrill, and it happened to him on his first day back at work after being mustered out of service after the war. The war didn’t give Milt much of anything to write home about, but the min ute he got home things began to happen to him. That’s the way it always is. Adventures happen most often right in your own back yard. This one started with a cry and a roar. On January 7, 1919, shortly before five o’clock in the afternoon, a woman thrust her head out of a win dow on the fourth floor of the Sauer building on Penn avenue, Pitts burgh and screamed one word, “Fire.” There was a moment of quiet. A fireman standing on the sidewalk turned and started to rim toward his engine house. He had taken two steps when Hell burst its boun daries and began roaring in the streets of Pittsburgh. Celluloid Films Exploded. There was a loud, shattering BOOM! A gush of smoke from a first floor window and a bright red flash streaked out from somewhere between the first and second stories. A man’s body shot out of a window as though it had come from a cannon—head first. A man standing in front of the building was thrown halfway across the street. Flame ran through the whole edifice—blazed fifty feet from the top of the roof. Highly inflammable celluloid films stored in the building had exploded and turned the whole place into a funeral pyre in which nine people eventually lost their lives. Milt Auerbach was in an office on the sixth floor. There were eight of them there altogether—salesmen and stenographers busy at their respective desks making out reports and finishing up for the day. They heard the terrific report and made a dash for the door. “When we opened the door,” says Milt, “were were enveloped in A SHEET OF FLAME. We turned, then and ran to the windows facing the street. By the time we reached them the flames were at our heels.” They Were Jumping to Death. Milt saw one of the girl stenographers escape through the window. Another one followed her. It was Milt’s first day in the office. He thought there must be a fire escape down which the girls were fleeing. The porter Mfift Holding the Girl, He Stood on a Narrow Ledge. was climbing out of the window now, and Milt told him to hurry so he could follow. Then the porter was gone and Milt started out the window after him. He pushed out his head and recoiled in horror. There was NO FIRE ESCAPE there! Down below on the side walk he saw the bodies of the two girls and the porter. Another girl tried to push by him. Milt caught her and she fainted. Still holding the unconscious girl in his arms he climbed out of the win dow and stood on a narrow ledge. With his free hand he clung to the window sill. Inside the office the remaining salesmen were huddled in a corner the flames had not yet reached, shaking hands and saying good-bye to one another. Fire engines began to arrive in the street below. They spread a net, but from the sixth floor it appeared to be about the size of a dime. No one dared jump, Milt says, because it would have been im possible to gauge the distance to that net correctly. Other trucks were unreeling hose lines. Still others were raising ladders. But the hose lines didn’t hold out much hope. Water would be of little help to the people trapped in the building. The ladders were their only hope. He Couldn’t Get to the Ladder. They were hoisting a ladder right under the ledge to which Milt was clinging, but to Milt’s dismay they had it on the wrong side of the trolley wires and could not lean it against the building. The unconscious girl was getting heavy in his arms. His other hand, still clinging to the sill, was tired and Just about ready to lose its hold. Milt looked inside and noticed that the flames didn’t seem to be com ing any farther into the office. There was a little space in there that they did not cover. He bundled the unconscious girl back in through the window and followed, himself. In other parts of the building, dense fumes were driving people to the upper floors. Fire began to spread to the building next door. Every where in the burning structure people were clinging to the windows as Milt Auerbach had, and the streets were filled with people shouting over and over again the monotonous warning refrain, “DON’T JUMP!” On the sidewalk, dozens of limp, motionless bodies testified to the soundness of that advice. Few of those who jumped had landed in the nets. Now firemen were fighting their way inside the build ing. Two men, their clothes ablaze, but still alive, were carried out. A little farther in they found the body of a woman, her hair gone and her clothing in ashes, just a few feet from a stairway that would have led her to safety. Milt Was Almost Electrocuted. Meanwhile, up on the sixth floor, Milt Auerbach waited impatiently for the firemen to raise their ladder again. “At last,” he says, “a ladder did reach our floor. A fireman came up and relieved me of the girl in my arms. He carried her down to safety, and then the men followed.” That trip down the ladder was almost as bad as the suspense of waiting for it. It swayed alarmingly as Milt started down it. The rungs were far apart. Every step Milt took made him feel as if he were missing his foothold. Down he went. The bottom of the ladder was set in the top of the fire truck, and in order to get down from it Milt had to rest his hand on the back of one of the horses that drew it. That's where Milt got one final thrill. For as he put his hand on the horse’s back an overhead electric wire broke. It fell, hit the horse, and sparks flew. Just as Mitt landed on the ground, the horse fell beside him— STONE DEAD—ELECTROCUTED! Nine people died in that fire, and many more were injured. The girl Milt had held on the window ledge was in a coma for months as a result of her ordeal. But Milt was lucky. He came out without a scratch. ©—WNU Service. First Engineers The engineer on the first steam locomotive in the United States was Horatio Allen, who agreed tc make the trial trip of the “Stourbridge Lion,” August 8, 1829. The second was Peter Cooper, builder of the “Tom Thumb,” on its trial trip on the Baltimore & Ohio, August 28, 1830. The third engineer was Nich olas W. Darrell, who ran the “Best Friend of Charleston” on its trial trip, November 2, 1830. Beginning of Labor Day The first proclamation authorizing the setting aside of a new holiday to be known as Labor Day was is sued by Gov. Lyman U. Humphreys of Kansas, a native Ohioan, says a writer in the Cleveland Plain Dealer. In his proclamation he recom mended that Monday, Sept. 1, 1890, be observed in the Prairie state by a suspension of ousiness so that all who so desired could take part in a public celebration. Ckristmas Eve in the Al.arket Place By Louise Abney in Christian Advocate THE market place on Christmas Eve . Things and things for sale . • Tinsel baubles, gilded toys Along the Christmas trail! Jostling crowds of shoppers; \ Trees of fragrant pine And Douglas fir and silver spruce; A never-ending line Of eager, noisy vendors Crying out their wares: M Whoever buys on Christmas Eve The Christmas blessing shares.” Southern smilax, holly wreaths. Sprigs of mistletoe . . . Everywhere the falling flakes Of starry Christmas snow; Throngs of harried shoppers. Children’s eyes aglow. Reminiscent of a Light That shone-dong ago. Vendors in the market place Bid you come and buy ... There was once a Gift that came. Priceless, from the sky l A Manly Christmas Husband (^jert^rud^H .Wal'ton. “A BORESOME holiday! If only I had invited Fred to come here with me,” Manly jerked his hat from a rack when Julia, his sister, rushed into the hall: “Manly, please come with me to night to the dinner party at Judge Thompson’s. Horace has just tele phoned he can not get here until too late. Roads blocked with snow and cars because of the blizzard yester day. Our first big spread in this burg. We’re so new and this is our first oppor tunity to meet many prominent citizens of Palas City. Judge Thompson's din ners are annual affairs and h® gives special in vitations to new comers of the city.” “I don’t care much about the party. But so much in the papers about the Willis Graham's family who will be at the Judge’s. Gra ham is the big shot who made mil lions from his washing machine patents. He’s sort of a god in these parts. He has no son—but some daughters. Maybe, when I’m through college old Graham might remember a Manly boy, for an engineer or in his office.” Manly, after assuring his sister, Mrs. Hor ace Linn, that he would accompa ny her, mused on his way down to the city. Manly’s parents had gone South for the winter and Julia had urged her brother to spend the holidays with them because she and Horace would be a bit lonely since recently settling in the thriving factory mu nicipality of Palas City. At first Manly reasoned that Horace and Julia wouldn’t enjoy his peddling around, since they were newly weds, and thought to decline the urgent invitation. But remember ing the loneliness of -a home, with out parents, he found himself in his sister’s comfortable home, for at least two weeks “en-duration” as he thought. In evening clothes Manly was nearest satisfied with himself as being “well groomed,” than in any other attire. Somehow, the black dinner coat, light vest, brilliant studs in the spotless shirt front, illuminated the sparkle of his brown eyes and enhanced the man liness of his form. Upon arriving at the ancestral estate of Judge Thompson, Manly was bewildered when the Judge, with unusual cere mony, introduced them as “Mr. and Mrs. Horace Linn, new resi dents of Palas City!” “Sh! They think you are my hus band. Don’t make them any wis er. Horace and I are strangers, you know, here,” Julia motioned. Not knowing whether Julia had planned to pass her brother off as her husband, or whether it was a surprise to Julia, as well as to himself, Manly played “hus bandly faithful” beside Julia. But it seemed that every place Manly stood or sat, Patricia, one of the Graham daughters, was near, kindly gra cious, but aloof. When he asked her to dance she quickly assented, as though she feared he might never ask for an other dance. “She thinks I am married. Huh! A Manly Christmas husband, indeed! Dum it all! Why did Julia get me into this jam? She will have to un-jam me,” he snorted to himself. Julia seemed satisfied with the evening’s pleasures. But Manly felt for the first time, that his sis ter was selfish. “Of course,” he reasoned,” sis ter doesn’t suspect that I wanted rriore dances with Patricia, and a chat on the mezzanine in one of those brilliantly Christmas decorat ed booths up there. If Julia sus- picioned such a thing, she is clev er at hiding it.” The next morning’s mail brought Manly an invitation to a party at Willis Graham’s for the Graham daughters! “How do they know my name is not Horace Linn and that I am not the husband of my sister?” Manly asked, almost provoked at the smile on the face of his sister who was at that moment darning her brother’s hose. “Of course, you’ll go. A secret! No, not a secret any longer be cause the secret has been long enough,” she teased. “I whispered to Patricia, at the party, that you were my brother and to introduce you to others of the younger groups, and to Mr. Graham. She, however, promised secrecy to all but Mr. Graham. Since she did not introduce you to others, not even to her father, I believe she enjoyed the brother-husband affair and planned a party to reveal the se’cret to her father and guests. No, her interest in you began be fore I told her you were not my husband. She was raving about my husband’s eyes, and hair, and form, and clothes and—” “Huh, jealousy, more than kind ness for your brother prompted you to tell the truth,” Manly teased. “You made a Manly Christmas husband, anyway. I’m sure Patri cia would agree with me,” Julia answered. After the party at Patricia’s, the Christmas holiday failed to be boresome. For with Patricia’s pep, and promises, Manly looked for ward to the days after college, of becoming a Manly husband, in truth. © Western Newspaper Union. It's Princess Lines Again ‘ •XvX*Xv>Xv/Xv»Xv>X*X ^X*X-X%vXvXvX*XvXvXv// v.v.v.vav/.v.v.v.v.v.vAv V.VAV.V.V.V.V/.V.V.V.V.V.V./. .V.V/.V.V.V.V.V.V.V.'.V.'.V.V.V.*. •VAVAV.V.V.V.V.V.V.V.V.V/.V.V :aX^X<v>>XvX-wXvawX‘ v^Xx/XXvX^X^ •V.V.V.V.V.V.V.V.V.V.V.V.V.-.V/ VAV.V.V.V.V.V.V.V.V.V.V.V/.V .V.V.V.V.V.V^ XvXvXv/XvXvXvXXi y 1983 V ^•X-^X-Xv/ivX^vX-X- * • ““XvXvXvXvXv !.X.XvXvX*XvI A /XvXCvJv XvX*X*X*XvXv.vXv/XvX F\ ViwiawwMHwi I • • ~ ••■vA-.y.v.... . ......... r Ar—r-,y7- r vuir 4 id? 1828 A GAIN princess lines are riding the crest of the fashiou wave. Good news for members of The Sewing Circle, for princess lines have always been favored by those who sew at home. And for morning wear, the timeless shirt- maker, a perennial choice for busy housewives. Check your wardrobe. It’s time to start sew ing again, and here are three top- notch selections. The smart shirtwaister (Pattern 1976) is a utility frock distin guished for its trim lines and as easy to make as it is to wear. Suitable in any of a wide range of fabrics for a wide variety of needs from sun-up to sun-down, this extremely wearable number is available in a wide range of sizes. The notched collar is pert and youthful, there is ful ness at the yoke, md the set-in sleeves fit well and wear forever. Send for Pattern 1976 in size 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, and 50. Size 36 requires 4% yards of 35 inch gingham or percale or shantung. The slick little princess model (Pattern 1828) needs little com ment for the picture tells the story. An utterly simple little af fair which buttons all the way down the front, it will make an instant hit with your growing daughter and you can slide it through your machine with the greatest of ease. Just seven pieces to the pattern, including the collar and sleeve band, it is avail able in sizes 4, 6, 8, and 10 years. Size 8 requires 2% yards of 35 inch fabric plus % yard contrast. The lovely daytime princess frock (Pattern 1983) is a model which can be made and worn suc cessfully by 36’s as well as 50’s There is a choice of long or short sleeves and there is just enough contrast in the graceful collar to give the frock a smart touch of h * * + + JEWEL CHERRY PIE Mrs. N. A. Jones. Atlanta, Go. Jewel Crumble Crust: Sift to gether IVz cups flour ana Vs tea spoon salt. Cut in Vz cup Jewel Special-Blend Shortening. Add about 4 tablespoons cold water, or just enough to hold ingredients to gether. Roll out half of dough at a time and line pie plate. Filling: Combine 1 cup sugar, Va teaspoon salt and 3 tablespoons flour. Add 4 cups cherries, Vz tea spoon almond flavoring and Vz tea spoon grated lemon rind. Fill pan with mixture, then cover with dough. Bake in hot over (425 de grees F.) 15 minutes, lower tem perature to 350 degrees F. and bake 30 to 40 minutes.—Adv. distinction. Likewise simple — just eight pieces including the collar and cuff—this pattern is designed for sizes 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, and 50. Make it in satin, silk, crepe, sheer wool, broadcloth, challis, or linen. Size 38 requires 5% yards of 39 inch or 3% yards of 54 inch fabric. Less with short sleeves. Don’t miss these grand num bers. A detailed sewing chart ac companies each pattern to guide you every step of the way. Send for the Barbara Bell Fall and Winter Pattern Book contain ing 100 well-planned, easy-to-make patterns. Exclusive fashions for children, young women, and ma trons. Send fifteen cents in coins for your copy. Send your order to The Sew ing Circle Pattern Dept., 367 W. Adams St., Chicago, 111. Price of patterns, 15 cents (in coins) each. © Bell Syndicate.—WNU Service. CHECK THAT COUGH BEFORE IT GETS WORSE r , ~ . -V- it before it gets you down. Cheek It betore others, maybe the children, catch it. Check it with FOLEY’S HONEY * TAR. This double-acting compound gives quick relief and speeds recovery. Soothes raw, irritated tissues: quickly allays tickling, hacking. Spoon ful on retiring makes for a eough-free sleep No habit-forming, stomach-upsetting drags. Ideal for children, too. Don’t let that cough due to • cold hang onl For quick relief and speeded recovery insist on FOLEY’S HONEY dc TAR. SMALL SIZE 60c *A recognized Remedy for Rheumatic' end Neeritli sufferer*. A perfect Blood Periflcr. Makes tkte Blood Rick and Healthy. Builds Strength and Vigor. Always Effective . . . Why suffer? AT ALL GOOD DRUG STORES Character Attributes Dignity and courage are th* royal attributes of character. muscular RHEUMATIC PAIN l&sS SORES, BOILS ATHLETE'S FOOT, BURNS, CUTS and ITCHING SKIN M row toou. MUO STOM i« rotrrAA •.OT**.!,*. KjSKr BO'VSON Chkmkai Ptooucn Ca y lACKSQwvuti... rtosiDA BOWSON S BALSAM CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT PLANTS Speaial Olft Collactten, native plants, $1.00; 3 Orchids. 3 Ferns, 8 Perennials. UKBECCA H. CAUSEY, LIBERTY, N. C.