Howey became a reporter for the Fort Dodge '' Messenger '' in 1902 and then worked for the '' Des Moines Daily Capital '' before joining Hearst 's '' Chicago American '' . Walking in Chicago , Howey was startled to see a knight and three elves climb out of a manhole . He had stumbled upon four actors fleeing a devastating blaze that killed 600 people , the Iroquois Theatre fire . As more people escaped via the theater cellar through the sewers , Howey reported his scoop , and the story , one of the biggest in Chicago 's history , established his reputation for speed , resourcefulness , and skillful writing . Howey became city editor of the '' Chicago Inter Ocean '' in 1906 and moved to the '' Chicago Tribune '' in 1907 . Lured away by Hearst , he became managing editor of the '' Chicago American '' in 1917
Iroquois Theatre fire
Iroquois Theatre fire
Walter Howey