A Close Call
Narrow Escape of the Guests In a Burning Chicago Hotel

Chicago, Sept. 8.-- Fire yesterday afternoon started on the third floor of the Paxton Hotel, a four story brick building at 100 and 102 Randolph Street. At the time there were a number of men and women asleep on the third and fourth floors, and as the cry of fire was raised and the smoke crept into the rooms a panic ensued. Within a few minutes partly-clothed women were crowding down the staircases and into the street. Three of the young women became so frightened that they fled to one of the front windows on the third floor and attempted to jump into the street, but were restrained by their male companions. Owing to the construction of the building and the small rooms the fire was a difficult one to fight, but was finally overcome with a small loss.

Daily Republican, Decatur, IL 9 Sept 1895
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Transcribed by June. Thanks June!