The New York herald., 1865-02-04
CATASTROPHE IN BROOKLYN.
An Entire Family Frustrated by InhaI-
ing Gss-Ons Person Dead and AnotAss
DIVINE. &c. s@ NM A.M

An Entire Family Frustrated by YnhaI-
ing Gss-Ons Person Dead and AnotAer
Dying, Sc.
dreadful discovery was made at No. 22S washngt0n
street. llary, yesterday afternoon, which has been
the theme Of conversation since BY all who have become
acquainted with the circumstances
The family OF Mr. Barnett Van Buren,, consisting Of III
persons took possession Of the premises on Thursday
the house being four stories high with marble fronsOf
the purpose OF taking boade The goods and furniture
were piled In without regard TO order and everything
being upside down. they concluded TO occupy small
rear apartment on the nrst floor for the night bed
was improvised, which occupied by kr. and ME-
Van Burcn, and the remainder Of the family including
sster-n-law, reclined on q sofa and chairs The
youngest was placed In the cradle They retired at a
early hour having previously closed every crevce
TO exclude the cold air expecting to be up early next
morning and set the house In order
The house had been unoccupied for time previous
and the charge OF the premises gwen to coloseA
man He called about noon TO sec how the now coexy
deavored ascertain the He heard meanings 6
times and at length ventured 10 rap at the door OF he
room from which the sounds seemed to proceed
Receiving answer and the groans still continuing he
yentured to open the door, which unlocked and was
met by puff Of noxous atmosphere, which made him
stand aside venturing again. he discovered the mem
bers Of the family lying In different positions about the
ia search Of policeman and meeting onlcer Dyer of
the Fortyarst precinct informed him OF the circum-
stances
hostng tho windows and throwing back the blinds, dis
covered the state Of affairs Mr.. Van Buren and his
the foot. partially dressed the infant was in the cradle
and girl and boy occupied sofa and chair All were
in senseess condition. with features horribly oontorted
and black and blue in the face.
Drs Cochran Glllen and Lynch, the Coroner were
notified, and to the assistance of the unfortunats
family The infant gaspng its last breath and soon
after expired; all the rest were breathing heavily, ana
totally Unconscious Of anything Remedies were applied
and signs Of vitality were manifested but none
could articulate word Tho husband pronounced
TO be beyond recovery OF the rest there appeared TO b
some hope
The names and ages of the unfortunstes fol-
lows-Barnett Van Boren, aged fortytwo Eunice Ann
his wife, aged thrty-fve; Ida aged twelve ycaS Ed
ward aged years; Myron. aged four years. MIRA
Martin Van Buren, sister law, aged twenty five yoarx
AS soon arrangements could be made tho parties
were conveyed the City Hospital for treatment Nons
OF them could speak, but all except the husband sp
peared be improving, and last evening 1t was believe
BY the physicians that all with the exception oi sne
he rapidly sinking.
On inspecting the premises was discovered that The
door and windows had been tightly cIosSd, 80 a. =
elfectually exclude the cold air. he was made "a
stove and In order to save fuel the damper nhd
been turned the lids taken Off ana the apartment was
consequently iiod with carbonc acid gas The had
not en- turned and that together with the poso0-
Gus gas from the COAL filed the with thick and
deadly yapor from the effects Of which the occupants
became stupefed and helpless
Captain Smith, Sergcants Boyd Beatty and officers o.
the Fo.y precinct police together with the ply
sicans did everything possible in behalf OF the sur
vving Eager crowds gathered about tho house
ard for time the street completely bockaded by
dense mass Of human beings all anxious to satisfy heiz
curiosity No one, however, was permitted to be h
the way and the sufferers were conveyed TO the hospital
| as soon carriages could be procured.
Mr. Van Buren, was very low last night, and no hope!
were entertained Of his recovery The others shove
slight sgns Of improvement, and the physicians thin
they will eventually get we'll
Mr. Van Buren, was carpenter by trade and until ~
Gently, was foreman OF the repair shop OF the Brocxy
City Railroad Company.