New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-08-16
THE JERSEY CITY MYSTERY
TIE BODIES OF THE ALLEGED INCENDIARIEs
FOUND IN THE RUIN5-TIIEORIRS AS TO THE
TYpIosIpN

TIE BODIES OF THE ALLEGED INCRNDIARIRs
FOUND IN THE RUIN5-rHEORrRs AS TO TIE
EXPLOSION.
The suppOsitiOn that Durancey and Melee
propretors OF the saloon at Washington and Mont
gomery s Jersey City, had set fire to the premises
and abscOnded, generally believed Monday and
yesterday the belief became positive condemnation OF
the accused II said that detectives were in pursuit
Of the men; that MCGEE had gone TO Whitehall N " and
that Durancoy had started for Montreal where his pa
rents reside chain OF crcumstantial evidence de-
yeloped by the which would have been sufficient
convicted criminal before any jury Nothing
wanting except tho accused, and 1t expected that
the vigilance OF the officers would speedily arragn them
at the Of Justice During the greater part Of the day
the public fcoling very strong against them, and
almost hourly new circumstance came to light
which seemed to Justify belief in their crime and sub
sequent Disappearance. In the time tho aborers
at the Of disaster steadily at work removing
the debris caused by the fire. engines slowly
and surely pumping the water from the cellars,
and the painful and wearisOmo investigation
of the ruins rapidly approaching completion. A
shout raised at 4o p. M that two more bodies had
been discovered. Tho excitement became intense, u
crowd Immediately gathered and tho utmost exertiOns
OF the police required 10 clear the grounds 30 that
the labOrers could undlsturbed. At precisely p
H. the remains of both men were excavated from the
ashes, cnders and rubbish with which the collar was
oiled. Although tho remains were burned DcyOnu
positive recognition. yet there be no doubt that
they are the bodies Of the unfortunate Durancey
and McGbee The latter accustomed to truss
and this article was found on one OF the bodies. AL
though this discovery positively refutes the assertions
in relation to the disappearance Of the accused yet 1t by
no means clears them the imputed guilt Of setting
fire to the premises. 1t is thought by that they
went into the cellar for the purpose Of firing tho build
ing but were unable make their exit account OF
premature explosion. Another theory Ia that
they were intoxicated, and became engaged
ia an alteration which resulted in ignitmg an
exceedingly unammablc material, such as liquor
or kerosene OIL II is said that few days since three
barrels OF oil were taken into the buildng that two
them were stored in the cellar. and the third re
tanned on the first floor and retailed by the quart
gallon. This IL is thought will account for tue two
posons which almost Immediately succeeded the break,
ing OF the fire, and the heaviest OF which was heard
first McClee belonged TO very respectable family, and
was engaged to marry highy accomplished young lady
IN Hoboken next month His chief fault was intemper
ance. Dnrancey's reputation not very good.
The Mayor yesterday issued a proclamation Offering
$500 reward for the arrest and conviction OF the ncendi
aries through whom believed the fire had origin
Smith, Miss Emene Vreeland and johnny Perrine took
place yesterday from the residence OF Mrs Smiths uncle
In Grand-st. The remains inferred in the jersey
CITY Cemetery The COIOners Jury has been impanneed,
and the inquest will be held Friday The Coroner has
taken charge OF the bodies found yesterday.
The story published in morning paper yesterday, as
TO an Illicit distilery being on the premises and the
OF the fire, turns out TO he Invention, the
wOrkmen employed on the ruins have not found any
machinery tn indicate that such the Subscrip
tiOns coming In literally for the relief Of the sun r
ers. Hose Company No OF the old Department, after
settling up their affairs Monday night gave the bal
ance, so, to the yictims.