55 



The loss of life in all of these fires, if any, was small. There were 

 reports from time to time of persons who were burned to death, but 

 thus far I have been unable to verify these rumors. 



While I was at the Fulton Chain fire there was a story afloat that 

 two of the Italians belonging to a large gang sent in by the New 

 York Central Railroad had lost their way, or been cut off by the 

 flames, and were burned to death. I cannot learn, however, that 

 their bodies were found, as would probably have been the case if 

 this accident had happened. The Utica Herald of June 5th states 

 that William Howe of Lake Placid was shut in by the flames while 

 fighting fire near the foot of Mt. Marcy and smothered to death by 

 smoke. I have been told since that this was a mistake. In view of 

 the thousands of men who were at work under extremely dangerous 

 conditions it is a matter of congratulation that there was no greater 



loss of life. 



W. F. F. 



