Rochester, Monroe, NY

Union & Advertiser

Tue Mar 13, 1883

 

PERFECTION AT LAST

 

A Fire Escape That Combines Convenience, Comfort and Absolute Safety -

No More Hotel and Factory Molecausi_

Exits Made Feasible From Every Window -

Charles F. Spencer's Latest and Greatest Invention.

 

The recent terrible _ecatomb at the Newhall House in Milwaukee awakened new interest in the subject of fire escapes for large building. It recalled the similar disaster at the Southern hotel in St. Louis a few years ago, and numerous other events of the same kind that have since occurred in hotels and factories, involving a total loss of life that has swollen to appalling magnitude, inventive minds have been active for years in the effort to devise some practical method for enabling human beings to escape from the upper stories of burning buildings when all exits by means of stairways are cut off. It would make a chapter of curious interest to describe the numerous appliances that have been contrived and rejected as useless. The only thing that has secured the favorable consideration of architects and builders is the iron ladder fastened to the outside of the building, but there is scarcely an emergency likely to occur for which this can be found adequate. In the first place it is as likely as is a staircase to be cut off from all approach by the flames. Even should it be accessible few would have the nerve to make the descent or would be able to do so with safety.

     None of the inventors of our time have given this subject so much study as Charles F. SPENCER, the well-known inventor of this city. He some time ago produced a fire escape which in repeated experiments was proved successful in the prime object of saving life, but it was not without objections. It was too heavy and cumbersome to be handled with facility and too expensive to be used as generally as such an appliance should be. Having learned that Mr. SPENCER had devised an escape that did away with all objections and was absolutely perfect, a representative of this paper called upon him at his residence, 17 South Union street, where he was found suffering from a slight fracture near the ankle. Inquiry elicited the fact that he had just received a patent from Washington for his new invention and would have given a public exhibition _re this but for his accident. He has made application for patents in foreign countries, and is already in receipt of several letters from Europe in relation to the invention. Like Mr. SPENCER's other fire escape, the main principle is a shute, which is not patentable, but the several and only appliances by which the shute is rendered practicable for this purpose are amply secured. The great advantages in favor of this escape are its lightness and cheapness. There are no wooden bars about it to spread the canvas apart, the two sides being secured by a neat lacing of cords, and the whole suspended on a single rope. It can be made so cheaply that hotel keepers can afford to have one in every window, and it occupies but very little compass in the room. It is always fastened to the inside of the window and the occupant has only to throw it out and let the free end fall to the ground. One or two persons can then secure it and carry it a few feet from the building in an instant and it is ready for use. It is so attached to the window that the occupant can step directly into it. No presence of mind is necessary for its success. A person who would under such circumstances jump from an upper story window to the pavement, as the risk of life and limb would drop into this bottomless bag and descend without injury and with the pleasing sensation of sliding down hill. When Mr. SPENCER exhibited his former escape the boys scrambled for the opportunity of enjoying the fun of sliding down from a fourth story window. The practicability of the invention is beyond question. In the new invention Mr. SPENCER has secured increased safety, convenience and comfort. He has made it easier to jump out of the window than to go down stairs. His is, indeed, the only perfect fire escape. It is always at hand and ready for any emergency. When it shall have come into general use all danger of loss of life from burning buildings will be averted. A public exhibition of the new fire escape from some tall building will be made in a short time and then those not already aware of its practicability can be convinced.

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