Phelim O’Toole is best known for saving the lives of 12 women in the Southern Hotel Fire of 1877. There were 21 others who perished. O’Toole demonstrated his bravery again at a fire at the St. Louis courthouse. From the courthouse dome, he dangled on a rope while extinguishing the fire through a hole he …
A disastrous fire raged through the Kansas City stockyards killing 17,000 cattle and hogs; 30,000 others were set free and survived. Many had to be rounded up in downtown Kansas City.
Subscribe to Our Free Newsletter
Get our stories delivered straight to your inbox.
© 2025 Missouri Life. All Rights Reserved.
