The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-01-15
Ae Destruction of the Country Seat Of
John A. Haven, Esq.
DEPLoRABLE LOSS OF LIFE.
saAssatisn Of the Misses Mary, Grace and
Sarah Haven.
One Of the Firemen Seriously Injured.

o'clock Saturday morning, and by which three Of
t2he daughters of Mr.. John A. Haven Of the most
ssspected merchants Of this city, lost their lives. One
pf reporters visited the OF the calamity ON
Saturday, and obtained following details from those
q ~ ho were present d uring the fire.
"a The building which occupied by Mr. Haven and
Family Is situaes the brow OF hill overlooking the
Hudson, and In about ten minutes walk from the rail
y9ad station few rods distant is the dwelling of his
Fsonaaw, Mr. Hopkins, who was Of the FIRST at the
lire short time since II appears, Mr. Haven caused
IAN addition to be made to his house which was not
Hhue finished when the calamity by which nearly one half
his family were cut of occurred He had occupied this
building for several years and OF the Oldest resi-
dents in that neghborhood On the night previous to
Abe fire, he had he himself stated examined the pre-
N mses according to his usual custom, before retiring
Snc having satisfied himself that everything was safe
ie went to bed. This was between ten and eleven
oclock but about twelve he had occasion to rise and
regulate the register and at that time he says he per-
neiyed no smoke or anything which would indicate that
ahe building 6re. That very night few shor.
hours before tho disaster the three young ladies we're
amusing themselves in their sitting room PLAYING the
piano, dancing and singing with their sisters aud some
friends, who were visiting them. There feeling Of
perfect security and they all retired the usual hour
snconscous OF the fearful fate which impended over
ahem. About ten O'Clock too, Mrs. Haven went into
ane kitchen and laundry, md told the servants to
did so, with the exception OF two German girls named
shristians and Rica Ru,hardt who are cousins and
who have not been 10 the country longer than two or
three. weeks. These girls 1thng some clothes
and appears that they had, usual when work Of
kind was to be done, put extra quantity OF
Goals. II is not known exactly what time they went TO
bed, bat il Ia supposed their work was done before
twelve O'Clock 1t is certain, however that no one was
awake In the house when the alarm given, except
Dir. Haven
We have said that Mr. haven retired bet wecn len and
eleven and that he rose about twelve 10 regulate the
register but he also the first 10 discover the fire.
Near tour O'Clock In the ornng he awoke with n feel
ing oi su1ocas son and rising 10 ascertain the cause
ae found his room full of smoke. He thought at 6rst
chat proceeded from the fireplace but he soon became
convinced from, its density that the house was on fire.
e then avoke Mrs. Haven and they both went into the
hal where they ala med the members OF the family aud
succeeded in getting them all safe out Of the building
ar Haven next aroused the ants who sound
seep at the time. On looking at the building from the
outside they saw at once that the fire originated in the
laundry, aud That had already great progress
1t was impossible, with the limited Of hand to
heck IL. They did all in their power, however and
threw several pals of water upon the flames but
without the least effect Had there been an engiue on
abe ground after IL discovered and sufficient
water II could have been suppressed with very little
6cuh,, bu the 6remen did not until the build
,g was almost totally consumed. As may be supposed
the greatest confusion aud excitement prevailed among
she inmates, who crowded together the lawn in
iIont Of the house. Of them in their night clothes
nd others only half dressed The night, however,
very mild fer winter and the was calm that the
smoke ascended In huge unbroken high the
burning building.
After the first apprehensous with regard to the safety
pf The family and the other members ol the household
over, some Of the Miss Hayens asked Kate Lean
Of the servants 10 into the dining and carry
mt the plate before the Gre reached it, but the girl
fused fearing that she would be suocated by the smoke
burned To death in the attempt. Miss Sarah Lang
don Haven, who in her night dress then into
the building, as 1t is supposed, for her clothes
nnd that wss the last that was Of her till her
sharred and biache ened remains taken from the
ruins. She followed by her three sisters, Mary
Eraee and Anna, the two fEst of whom sudocaed
il was thought 6rst when they into the build
ing, that they would return Immediately, but when
1hree four minutes elapsed without any OF them max
jng their appearance aud every in the house ap
peared filed with smoke the greatest apprehenson
Eere felt for their safety. Mrs Haven had been at
The house Of her sonin.law, Mr.. Hopkins bare
headed and tsre-footci, and had returned but few
minutes before the disappearance of her daughters
considerable number Of their reishbors had also collect
ed, and every exertion mlde to them. Mr.
Hopkins placed ladder against the balcony and ascend
ell 10 OF the second story windows which looked ou.
from the drawing room, and from which he heard
sound rs Of some groaning inside The smoke
dense that he could not into the room and to
ter IL would be at the extreme peril OF his life Throw
ing himself therefore, the aoor the window, to
avoid the smoke, and In the direction from which he
heard the grosns he stretched out his hands and fou
natey succeeded in catching hold OF the dress Of Miss
Anna Haven. Drawing her towards him, he succeeded
in getting her out the balcony, but forced to
mr.. - 4.
being weak 20 bear the weight OF both. Another lad
ser was obtained and Mr.. Hopkins nearly exhaust
sd be was relieved by Mr. James Jones, ono
pf the men In charge Of the telegraph at Fort
Washington Mr.. Jones succeeded In carry ing the In
sensible girl ssfey down the ladder and giving her TO
1he arms Of ter distracted parents. She taken i'm
mediately to the residence OF Mr. Connolly, which IL
hor distance of and where she received every ani
attention. she IS we understand, In fair way Of re-
covering but has been deemed advisable to conceal
from her the fate OF her sisters until she entirely out
of danger.
Jones and Joseph Mooney the keeper Of the railroad
station entered the house again In search Of the other
SISTERS whom they found lying the closet contain
ing the place, apparently dead. One OF them
her knees with her hands against the door Of the closet
ssh in the act OF opening It. when she sunocated;
and the other found few feet from her, lying on
she aoor. They 10th carried out Immediately, and
every taken to restorc them but without eject,
as life was doubtless extinct before they found.
Nothing could exceed the grief OF the parents
ss the nfcles forms Of their children
brought 10 tbem-thcy had them the evening be.
fore the fun enjoyment Of ne, and by terrible
Satality they deprived Of them, after they
had succeeded in esapng unstled from the midst Of
zhe flames
On the alarm Of nrc hose companies 90 and 50, and
engine companies e5 and 80, hasened TO the spot but
She building envslopcd in flames when they arrived
and fhey could render efectua service in saving IT,
they did an ey could however afterwards, in clearing