The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-01-15


Fire Marshal Of New York Mr. Alfred T. Baker went from
this city to Mount Washington an inquest on the
bodies and investigate the of the fire. On their
rival at the residence Of Mr. Hopkins they found the bodies
OF the three ssterssarah, Mary and Graceyng in co
fins side by side The latter two exhibited no external
marks Of violence, and but for the shIouds In which
they were enveloped II might be easily believed that
they were asleep calm the expression that rested
on their features. Their father alone In his room
no one wishing to ntrude upon his grief while the mo-
ther and sisters seemed ready sink under the weight
Of their action. 1t was. indeed house of mourning
The Coroner empanneled the following jury, and after
viewing the bodies, as-reqar by law, proceeded to
examine Witnesses
T. A. Hopkins Philip O'TIanlon
James A. Connolly. VIM. Sweetser.
James C. Carter. A. L. Baker.
The first witness examined Mr. Hayens the father
Of the deceased whose testimony taken in private
by the Coroner, as follows - ,s-ve-sa~.s-4ssa
TESTIMONY OF Mi. HAVEN.
John A. Haven being duly sworn, testified as follows
1t was my usual custom to examine the premises
every night before retiring; did not observe any evil
dence Of fire at hafpast ten about twelve O'Clock got
up to regulate the register in my ROOM and then there
sign Of fire. went to bed again and fell asleep
was aroused from my sleep time after by smoke
in the room; got out Of bed my wife sso got up;
went to the ball and alarmed the family and told them
to leave the house did not return for our clothing
thought the fire proceeded from the fireplace,
count of the smoke; but the re had gained such
headway that nothing could check IT. there fourteen
in family; the fire found to from the laundry,
north end of the building.
TESTIMONY OF KATE LEAN.
Kate lean of the servants employed in the house
testified as folowsI have lived with Mr.. Haven since
the 10th of August last was in the wash house
pio h,,t4
about ten o'clock heard the girls speak in German in
the wash house the door Of which was closed there
was fireplace in it and they ironing clothes they
heated their irons in range which connected with
the boilers; some time in the night Mr. Haven to
where we were, and told the house was on fre-to
come out Of our beds out then and was standing
in the entry, when one Of the girls asked to get
pail saw smoke in the wash house, of the young
ladies asked me to after OF the men, IL was Miss
Helen; got the coachman, Peter Hines, at his own
house near by called him twice before he answered.
the young ladies wanted save the silver out OF the
closet but afraid Of the smoke, aud the house
was dark; the closet was in the dining room which
was even with the street when | returned from the
coachman went into the dining room, through the
window, with one Of the men, who had lamp In his
hand; when there OF the young ladies
lying on the floor; took OF the drawers that had
the silver it, and he handed II out Of the window said
then that Miss Mary lying the closet after this
came out Of the dining room; saw Miss Mary and
Grace lying opposite the front door of the house on
some clothes did not then move, but 7 thought
saw Miss Mary open her eyes; did not sec the n
breathe.
TESTIMONY OF JOHN BRADY.
John Brady, also employed a. a servant testified a.
folows:-I am general servant in the house went to
bed Immediately after tea, but got up again aud put
some ashes en- top Of the coal In the furnace after this
Mrs. Haven ordered all TO go TO bed when | went;
tho furnace is in the hall of the main buidng IL heats
some of the rooms; don't know what hour went TO
bed at the girls in the wash house when went to
bed; the Grst thing knew after this was Mr.. Haven
calling by from the head of the stairs he call
cd "John twice, and answered put my clothes on as
quick as ] could; when out heard some OF the
family say the laundry fire; towards IL and
saw II and part Of the dwelling house frc; then
rushed back TO my room for Of my clothes and
when got them ! left them out In the yard; went
then and got pail of water TO throw upon the fire.
threw three pals OF water IT, but had no effect
nobody throw water besides myself; heard some
Of the young ladies round the house and cry fire.
the neghbors soon came and made an attempt TO get
the young ladies out Of the ROOM but they could
find where they they got out of the furn-
ture one Of the ladies taken up this morning to Mr.
Connoliy's in a wagon 1t was Miss Anna; helped to
other bodies people trying to them did
not sec them after this.
TESTIMONY OF PETER HINES.
Peter Hines being sworn said-Am employed by Mr..
Haven coachmap i called last night by Kate Lean
when got up Immediately; there another girl with
Kate and they said the house burned up; turned
out Immediately, when met Miss Helen, who told to
hurry up that OF her sisters was the house suf
focang and afterwards get the keys Of the stable
and attend TO the things there VIXEN up to the
buildings the north wing OF the house the laundry
FIRE; plainly that could render no assis.
tanee heard from Mr.. James Connolly that they had
succeeded in getting Of the young ladies' think
Miss ADna-out alive; ! saw Mr.. Haven, and he told
me John had the keys Of the stable got them from
him then, and took the horses harness, carriages
and other things out Of it'll saw Mas Grace and Miss
Mary after this lying beds outadeof the bull ling
quite motionless.
TESTIMONY or JOHN NJ. HOPKINS.
John VI. Hopkins being sworn, testified folows-I
reside short distance from Mr. Hav.ns aroused
sometime between and O'Clock In the morning. was
callei by Mrs. Hayens who told her house was on
Gre; this was about fifteen minutes after the family
learned the house was on fire; the flames broke
out the west side OF the house my at
tention was first called 10 the fact that there
some one in the drawingroom; Immediately ran up a
ladder 10 the balcony attached to that room and found
Mr. Connolly there before opened the window, and
hearing groans within, threw myself my face and
reached in; there dense smoke and had 70 put
my head down 70 the floor TO avoid H. Preached my
In and took hold Of person which proved to be
Miss Anna Haven she then alive, but perfectly in
sensible; Miss Anna afterwards revived she Is now
lying In Mr. Connoy's in a fair way of recovery;
about quarter Of hour on the balcony holdng her
in my arms, the ladder being too frail 10 bear the
weight Of both OF was present about fifteen min
utes after, when Mary and Grace were found in tho
china clost the stumbled over them as they we're
going in TO tahe out the silver; Mary revived a little
when they were taken out, but she died soon after
rng yRDrcT.
After the examination OF the witnesses the Jury rem
dared veraicf that Mas Sarah InpgJoo u.wa, h.A