Kate Serving Fanning

Kate Fanning Escaped Death Three Times

Kate narrowly escaped death when the Chicago Fire ravaged and destroyed the near west side.  Kate, her parents and her brother lost all their possessions, including their home.  She was about 14 years old at the time.

Her second brush with death occurred when the Iroquois Theatre fire claimed over 600 lives.  She and two friends were attending the performance.  When someone shouted "fire", Kate and her friends scrambled out of the show place's main entrance.  Fortunately they were neither scratched or burned.

Prior to sailing on the Eastland, a lake cruiser, July 24, 1915, Mrs. Fanning and several of her children were readying themselves for the trip across the lake.  One of the children became ill and the trip was postponed, even though Mrs. Fanning had already purchased the tickets for a family outing. On that date the over-crowded pleasure ship tipped over on its side claiming 815 lives.