Wisconsin History Day By Day

Related Web Sites:
Newhall House Hotel Fire

Newhall House Fire


Read More About It

"The Real Tom Thumb" by Helen Reeder Cross

"The Wisconsin Centennial Story of Disasters and Other Unfortunate Events


Vocabulary:

rescued


Interesting Fact:

Sixteen servant girls were rescued from the Newhall House when F.F. Hermann Strauss carried them to a building next door by crawling over a 20-foot ladder six floors above the alley.


Study Questions:

  • Where did the fire start in the Newhall House and how did it spread?
  • Have there been other Wisconsin fires that claimed more lives? Where and when did the fires occur?
  • What is the worst fire in the U.S. in terms of deaths?


    U.S. historical events that occurred on January 10:

    1776: "Common Sense," written by Thomas Paine was published.
    1870: Standard Oil is incorporated, headed by John D. Rockefeller.



    • January 10

    January 10, 1883: The Newhall House in Milwaukee burned, killing 71. Included among the people rescued was General Tom Thumb of P.T. Barnum circus.

    January 10, 1883 The (Milwaukee) Daily Journal

    Wisconsin History Day By Day homepage
    January - December calendar page