The Lincoln County Herald

A Thrilling Scene.

About half past eight o'clock yesterday morning the dwelling of William Santago, on Wight street between Campau avenue and Chene street, took fire during the absence of all the members of the family except the young children, who were locked inside while the mother went to a neighbor's. The flames spread rapidly, and before any effort could be made to check their progress the entire building was wrapped in a sheet of fire. The agonized mother rushed into the burning building with the intention of saving her babes, but the smoke and hot air stifled her and she was compelled to abandon the undertaking. It seemed as though the children must perish, so fiercely did the destructive element rage; the flames leaping and curling above the doomed building like a mass of writhing, angry serpents. The mother was in despair and her screams for help were truly pitiable. Finally a young man, named William Plass, determined to undertake the rescue of the children. Wrapping a wet blanket about his person, he sprang into the building and groping his way to the kitchen, where they were known to be, he brought them forth in safety. Five minutes delay would in all human probability have sealed their fates, but happily they were uninjured, although their clothing was considerably scorched. The grateful mother could find no words to express her joy to the heroic preserver of her children.--Detroit Free Press.