New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-12-26
THE TRAGEDY OF FIRE.
SEVEN BODIES PROBABLY UNDER The
CENTRE-ST. RUINS
A TERRIBLE RUMoR HALF coNFrRMED-IHE


there were several young women and others en-
Moved on the upper floors Of the building Nos. 81,
SO, and IS Centre-st who becoming confused by the
smoke that rapidly filed the building ON Tuesday
evening were unable TO gain the street by the stairs
or tn reach the frecscape in the rear, and 80 per-
ished In the flames. 1t hoped that all had been
rescued from tho building by the fremen, police,
and others, who were soon on the spot, bat there
now seems no reason to doubt that seven OF eight
persons lost their lives
The Franklin-st Polce-station and the Park Hos
pital were thronged yesterday with those who were
In search Of friends and relatives employed in the
burned building. In several instances the police
were able to give information but in very many in
stances they could not. There is reason to believe
that the following persons, who were at work in
Archer g. Anderson's book bindery, persisted in the
fire, and that their bodies are beneath the smoking
ruins:
lane Stewart age IS, Of No. II Charton-st She was
sought for by her father who stated that her relatives
had seen or heard nothing Of her since the fire.
Bridget McGrath, age 20. of No. Sal FHstave In
quiries were made by her brother Michael
Mary Donoho of No. 123 East Tenth-st
Margaret Donoho OF No. 12a East Tenthst, sister OF
Mary Donoho.
Margaret Bell Of No. 90 Avenue A.
Charlotte Bell OF No. 90 Avenue A, sister OF Margaret
Bell.
james Bevns age a. of No. 16i Broome-st
No inquiry having been made for other persons IL Is
believed that the remaining forty fifty inmates Of the
building escaped, although, as previously reported sew
eral of them were severely injured No serious acci-
dents beyond tho four mentioned yesterday have been
made known.
The ruins wore smoking yesterday, and occasionally
breaking out into flames, which were promptly extin-
guished by the details of lremen. Two engines were
stationed during the day In the vicinity OF the nre and
detachments of remen relieved one another a. inter-
walls in forcing heavy streams of water upon the RUNS
which In many places covered with thick coating
of ice although the dense masses OF smoke ana steam
that steadily rolled upward showed that the smoidern2
embers beneath were ready TO break into flame at any
moment No effort could be made to clear away the
ruins and search for the bodies possible an attempt
will be made to-day TO clear away portion OF the runs
and to begin the search for the bodies.
During the day largo crowd congregaed on the side
walk opposite the Many OF the bystanders seemed
70 be acquainted with the character Of the building and
its defective construction They unhesitatingy charac
zed as deathtrap and declared that 1t had often
been predicted that fire should break out on one OF
the lower floors IN the neghborhood OF the stairway
heavy loss OF life would follow.
The loss Of life IL such there has been, was undoubt-
edly due to the inadequate Of escape The fire
escape by which most Of the women at work In the
fourth floor descended to the street. itself very de-
fectve 1t was narrow aud its lower end was Is feet
above ground. AS a consequence all OF the women on
reaching the lowest round OF the ladder had to drop TO
the ground Through this faulty arrangement two
women were severely hurt. Mrs. George Middleton OF
No. rs Centre ST. seeing that many of the women would
be greatly injured. ran with ladder to the back
of the printing building, and placed 1t near the ire
escape, thus enabling majority OF the women 10
descend safely. John McGloin Of engine No a. also OBJ
serving tho great danger 90 tho 5pos and
the wooden ladder the fire escape, assisted many in
their descent.
THE LOSSES PREVIOUSLY UNDERESTIMATE.
The total loss OF property by the ire s estimated at
about s655,OO0 The amount OF insurance Is Compare
lively small but a list of the companies involved has
not yet been obtained owing to theabsence OF owners
and occupants from the city, and tho burial of their
safes beneath the ruins The following is summary OF
the losses and insurance, 80 far as has been ascer-
tanned:
The Caxon Building Nos. 81. 50 and IS Centre st. was
valued at $4,000, aud owned by Robert Crsighesd ~
sence OF Mr. Craghead the precise amount OF insurance
and the OF the companies anected could not DC
Dun, Barlow & Co., commercial agents, who occupied
the second door as printing ~ . @ o hcs
there is only sl0OoO insurance The immense loss OF
GS . o large nTmber very Valuable books Of com
merca reference They had in the hands OF the binders
Agency Reference Report. These were issued to sub
scrbers yearly and their loss VIII for time seriously
card of the firm on the NTH page it WIZ De seen that
he
and to issue their Report to subscribers Meanwhile
they indulgence for the unavoidable delay IN ssu
ing it. There was an insurance OF 100000 on these
the loss of the New-York Newspaper Union, which
Archer & Anderson bookblnders, who occAped the
fourth fifth sixth floors, estimate their loss on stock
and machinery at $4,000; partly insu r. ,,,
was completely demolished by the falling of the walls Of
the Caxon building, owned by the heirs OF the Lor-
lizard estate. aud valued S. 0o insured for 500 The
occupant, James Gallagher, brassfounder, loses s3ooO
The adjoining twOstory brick building, No. 60 owned
by the same persons, damaged 5000 by the falling
walls insured for $1,000 William Blohm, who occupied
uninsured The stock Of George Middleton, saloon
keeper, the first floor damaged 500; insured
for $50 by the National Company. Edmond Price,
whose law Office also che first floor loses $780, no
insurance. Howe & Hummel, lawyers who occupied
the whole of the second foor lose 1880 and are insured
for $500
brick which also constitutes part of the Lorllard
estate was damaged $500. aud "a uninsured 4. b.
the second floor as dwelling place estimates his loss
on stock and furniture at $4,000; insured for $500
estate was damaged $780, no insurance. Henry Wilkins
who occupied the lower portion liquor store and the
upper part dwelling, estimates his loss at u 600 In
The feustory brick building In the rear Of the prem
ises Nos I26 and l27 worthst owned by j. stoecke,
was damaged $1,000; insured for $4,000 The stock and
mill was on the first second and third floors dam
aged a. 900; insured for 5000 Gustaye Burger, pattern
and model maker, the fourth floor loses 1900; no In
The adjoining three story brick building. No. 100
owned by the Of the LOrard estate, damaged
S1OO: no Insurance The loss OF Woehr q Miller,
pants. s estimated at t3OOo insured for the same
amount.
The twoetory and attic brick building. No. Isl, owned
by the same PERSONS, damaged $500 insurance.
IL "a occupied by several families, whose household
goods were somewhat damaged by removal during the
IRE.
The tenement houses. Nos. $50 and isi Leonard-sf,
were slightly damaged and the furniture OF the occu-
pants was somewhat injured by water.
An informal investigation tends to chow that the fire
originated in the printing establishment OF Dun. Barlow