The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-09-11
The Late Dreadful Occurrence at H0-
+ bOkcn.

boken.
The Coroners nquess upon the bodies Of three of the
late inmates Of the Harmonic House, inquire into
the origin of tho fire, adjourned from Friday last yeser-
day assembled the Of the late fearful calamity
in the eqnestered city Of Hoboken, under the able and
careful direction Of Coroner Pohnstedt A melancholy
interest attached to the deliberations Of the nques,s
which were held in one Of the that have been
saved from the destructive effect Of the fire. and
not surprising that many citizens attendance.
The whole appearance of the of the hotel
dreary in the extreme. The walls are blackened and
charred and though the actual ravagcs of the fire have
delibe marks Of smoke and fame which have been left
upon the doors, the walls and windows, show how
powerful the suiocatng and vapory element have
been and how fearfuy the deceased persons have
suffered in their struggles for life The in which
death suddenly and dreadfuy surprised the victims,
is dark narrow and uncomfortable looking place. stu
ated towards the north Of the building, the las
The only wonder is how any living person could oc
cupy such dingy and unhealthy apartment in the
ordinary heat OF the summer season The house itself is
large and commodious, but all the principal apartments
given up to business as lodges amusement saloons
and all the other various of lager bier hall The
cramped and confined little the last story
all that the proprietor had set apart for the and
commodation Of himself and family.
The house. which learn has been but recently paint
ed and papercd presents at this the appearance
Of a ruined and deserted habtation. The paper the
walls is black and dscolorcd The furniture scattered
around IN disorder and confusion dirty, broken and in
instances unservcable. Pictures and ornaments
which have not been utterly destroyed have been re-
moved and those who once knew the harmonious charac-
ter of Harmonic Hall bitterly regrettng the ter
rble calamity that has thus cut short their
and convenience.
The melancholy death Of these unfortunate peoplc af
fords bitter lesson Sleeping apartments often
neglected, and yet there is nothing important
ton this matter. Had Mr.. Baese been sleeping in
| communication
BILE from the street without much difficulty, this inquest
might never have taken place. and the public would have
been spared the necessity Of reading the details Of this
heartrending occurrence.
We subjoin the additional evidence taken yesterday
which, on the whole, is merely corroboratve The Coro
after the assembling OF the jury proceeded
the place where the survivors of the fire are lying, and
took their evidence
Mary Baese daughter of the deceased stated that she
home about half past 10 O'Clock Thursday eve
nng there was small party at our house dancing and
amusing themselves was not in the kitchen since quar-
ter past O'Clock in the evening" there very small
fire in the range; put the last Goals the fire about
r. NJ before 1t quarter before when retired
to bed do not know that there anything niiamma
BILE the stove range the ironing was done from
two to seven o'clock the fire was dull all day, as
thought from the collection OF rust and soot and after
wards became very low as 70 compel me TO desst
from ironing the range had burned dull for several
days; awakened by father, after sleeping about
two hours sleeping in the rOom north corner,
having window toward the orchestra the bed being
the south sde next youngest sister slept in the other
bed opposite the north sde and the other two young
slept in the small dark the north side, at
the end of the hail. third floor second younger sister
first gave the alarm she knocked ut the front room door
and cried out that she was being suocated; my father
then came out Of the front he seemed to be quite
out Of his Senses and crying Help, hep-bring
to the stairs and door cannot find the stairs brought
him just the stairway; the smoke and heat being
too srong we had TO race our steps ne then lerksd
spoke ut the time Of papers in his bureau that
the last heard Of him then directly through
out my head, cried Fire--save us-we dying by
smoke and sufocation in the house,; struck several
matches and gncd the gas in the ha the matches in
| the room would not burn to any account in
consequence of the density Of the smoke stopped my
in told her 70 shut it, which she did because so much
smoke came in mynosher came after me 70 the window,
&C., ost is e the oaSGny nS y M
70 his room; e window At tho h@ad of my bed was left
vs.oation and the door was closed and looked;
as soon as was in Mr. Herrngs house, up to the
top OF the premises with remen and Others telling and
showing them where my father and sisters were and how
they might enter into our house and take them out
directly down again and again went up to the gar
ret all the while pointing out the way into house;
they could have entered by the Of axes the intense
smoke and heat prevented any from entering the
apartment where they were
Mrs Julia Baese, rect Of the deceased Mr. Baese fully
corroborated her daughters testimony.
report had got into circulation that the pockets of
Baese had been riied and that fact IL pursued might
lead to some clue but the statement of the Coroner that
he found the deceaseds money all right, nslde matters
different.
Mr. Richard Herring being sworn stated that he lived
next door to the house, and hearing the alarm of fire,
he rushed to the buiding he the hook and ladder
foreman
engine No he got his apparatus in order without delay
and the fremen poured strong Of the
budng there was nothing but dense cloud of smoke
be seen and the hremen could effect entrance though
every effort was made for that purpose; they
mentariy expecting to the bursting Of the ames
but il was until the hook and ladder company had
with their axes cut passage through the lower part of
the house. that the location Of the fire he of
opinion that everything that could be done done
save the building and to deliver the unfortunate inmates
To juror-I myself made an entrance the second
floor, through window, while stream Of water
driven over my head; but could only advance about
six feet which far any living person could CO.
Frank Adam, porter and waiter being sworn deposed
that he in the kitchen at about half past eleven
O'Clock, and that at that time he did notice very
great fire in the range; the kitchen not very
warm; he went away about an hour after
wards, at which time there was light in the Kitchen
he heard the alarm of fire about three o'clock he got
supper for persons about eleven o'clock was
the last person who left the house, and Mr. Baese
then quite alone.
John NJ Patterson, police officer stated that he passed
the house at about hapast two O'Clock in the mornings
he saw light and heard person walking from the bar
towards the billiard ROOM but could tell who it
was he was somewhat surprised at seeing light, but
reflection he knew that 1t Mr. Baese's habit to sit
up hte whenever he had party in the house. Witness
had occasion to go to the ferry but he there
than few minutes, and returning sat down the
steps for little time.
Some other corroboravc testimony of little importance
taken and the jury retired to consider their verdict
which they shortly after returned in substance that the
deceased parties died by suocaon but that the origin
Of the fire was unknown.
The Coroner thereupon thanked and dismissed the
jury.
Mrs Baese the widow Of the unfortunate proprietor
in miserable state of mind II will be time before
she recovers her equanimty of thought and action.
Her daughter, Miss Baese, although wounded and dis
ressed in mind, is doing as favoraby could be ex-
pected.
The last sad rites for the dead will be performed at ten
O'Clock this Sunday morning, in the city of Hoboken
when il is expected that thousands will be present The
funeral procession will move from Banners Hotel Hud-
son street. to be churched according TO the rites Cao
lcty The father and his olive branches young
SO fair, will be laid down to rest in the tomb and
one earthen pillow shall support their heads Those who
have been faithful in life, and who have thus suddenly
been called TO their account, shall not be separated in
death.
Cor0ner's Office.
THE BURNING FLUID ACCIDENT EIGHTH AVENUE
We have received the following additional and
rect particulars respecting the melancholy and fatal
phene accident which occurred No 345 Eighth avenue