The Electrified Watchman

At the Transfer Company’s warehouse, on South First street, the electric light wiring, through faulty insulating, was where the trouble began. A night watchman, while moving a bale of hay, brushed against the wire. He immediately grabbed a bucket of water and emptied it upon the flames that had broken out. He received a severe shock, and the current ran through the water from the bale he held in his hand. He then let go of the bale, and recovering from the shock, he grabbed another bucket of water and returned to the fire. This time, with another watchman having come to his assistance, he laid himself down, while the other man held him by the coat tail to keep him from falling into the bay, and while thus dousing the water, the flame followed his coat tail into the man from whose hands he was suspended over the water, severely shocking him. Sufficient water, however, had been thrown upon the flames that it soon died out. During the same night, the bell of the Palace restaurant, rendered an excellent conductor by the rain, became thoroughly charged from its illuminating wire, and made it decidedly uncomfortable and unsafe for its occupants.