davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The New York herald., 1872-12-13
SUPERINTENDENT MACGREGOR'S
OPINION.
What the Superintendent OF Buildings
Thinks About the Fire.


One OF our reporters paid visit yesterday after
noon to the headquarters OF the superintendent Of
Buildings, James NJ. Macgregor, No. 2 Fourth
avenue.
Mr.. Mc1regor was found seated in his private
ONCE. and seemed very anxious to communicate
any information desired by the HERALD. The fol-
lowing conversation ensued between our reporter
and MIR. Macgregor:-
REPoRTER-l have called to ascertain II any steps
are about to be taken relative to the better secu
rity Of lives in OF fire in the several hotels Of
our city.
MACaREGoR-I cannot say that there is. There
is no law that will allow to dictate how build
ing shall be erected.
REPoRTER-What is your opinion as to
THE MEANS OF ESCAPE
at the late fire at the Fifth Avenue Hotel.
kACGgEGoR-I consider that there was ample
means Of escape. The portion OF the building in
which those unfortunate servants lost their lives
was additional story built upon the roof OF the
hotel some eight feet in height and level with the
mammoth cornice that surrounds the hotel. The
rear portion OF this extension opens on the
roof OF the main building, with windows opening
upon the same from every room; also hallway
!lcading around the entire hotel, by which every
iSirl could have escaped had she not been suro-
tcatcd. A great deal has been said about the win
blows being enclosed with wire frames Had the
girls been aware OF their position they could have
peadly escaped by the hallway, the doors OF which
Iwere not locked.
I REPoRTER-But the stairway leading up to their
pooms was destroyed. Did not tins cut or ali
'escape9
I MACGREGOR--Not at all: the FIRE broke out two
stories below them and they could have all been
saved had they been woke up There should have
been fire alarm In their room, as suggested in
1885, then regarded II as highly important that
AN ALARM OF SOME KIND
should be placed on the 'front.' or rear OF each door
The New York herald., 1872-12-13
LETTERS ON THE SUBJECT.
A Partial Account or tho Fire at the
Fifth Avenue Hotel.


To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
SIR-In reading the Inherent newspapers and
seeing so many one-slded accounts OF this insig.
nifcant IRE, compared with the terrible loss of
human lie 1t has caused we cannot too highly
praise your brilliant and impartial editorial article
OF this morning. Having witnessed the awful
scene presented in that black hole OF death, we
cannot help exclaiming. "Why was there no effort
made to alarm or rescue the sleeping occupants
OF that den OF horrorsg Truly. there are watch.
men in the hotel, and their duty is rigldly en-.
forced by the authorities but that duty in
case OF IRE is not to alarm those who may be in
imminent danger, but to seize hose and rush to
the nearest approachable point of the scene, and
then scream for assistance to use 1t. Our opinion
as to the origin OF the fire, after close inspection
OF the burned portion of the building, agrees fully
with that Of the Chief Engineers Ia his Deposition
The New York herald., 1872-12-13
FIRE IN CENTRE STREET.

Fire broke out about nine O'Clock last evening on
the third floor OF the Harlem Railroad depot cor
ner of White and Centre streets, and inflicted
about two thousand dollars damage on the stock Of
Mr.. William Brooks, who occupied the floor as a
pattern shop. Messrs. John Taney 4 Co., manufac-
the loss sustained by them Will probaby reach
$4,000. p. H. Elm occupied room IA ON the second
floor and his loss will amount to two or three hun
dred dollars
The cause Of the fire Is as yet unknown.
The New York herald., 1872-12-13
ELIZABETH CAMPBELL.
DIED DECEMBER 10, 1872.
Aged II years.

Her father wanted her removed to his residence
In order to hold wake. but the undertaken refused
to do So as ne said the body was not at to be kept
This makes three bodies which have been re-
moved-Mary Ann Pagan, Mary McCabe and Eliza
Deth Campbell. Eight stll remain, four OF which
have been Identified The three bodies were
TAKEN TO CALVARY CEMETERY.
In the event OF the remaining corpses not being
removed before sunday they are to DC Inferred by
Of temperance societies and religious bodies are
expected to participate, and q grand demonstra-
one. and it would be gratifying II it should
prove, as II likely will, success In the absence
tered at the public expense. As the trienas Of
some of the girls whose remains have been recOg-
nlzed too poor to afford burial, there will proc
ably be eight cOrpses remaining on Sunday.
hcarse is to be provided for each, and the cortege
Is to proceed to Calvary Cemetery.
In the afternoon some fashiOnaby dressed ladies
came to view the bodies. They were courteOusly re-
ceived by the Warden and their curiosity was fully
appeased when the CHASTITY spectacle was exposed to
view. At the same time the brother of Della Cum
mings came to look for the body OF his sister,
SUPPOSED TO BIZ AMONG THE DEAD,
but nc did not succeed in Identifying 1t. The new
arrangements made by the Warden for telegraph
Ing Ia case OF re was tried ior the second time the
Instead OF policeman being sent from the fire. as
in the old way, to telegraph from there to the hos
pital the nearest fire alarm and the number 10,
communicating with the box in the Office Of the
hospital intimates that an ambulance Is wanted.
This system was adopted the night of the disas-
ter, and much valuable time was saved, as the
three ambulances were on the ground in less than
twenty minutes. The intimation that . number
OF people had been killed ana wounded was first
sent 70 the hospital by Dr. Ruppaner, the house
surgeon OF the Fifth Avenue Hotel, who was un-
remiLtng in his efforts to alleviate the suerngs OF
those who were wounded, sol long as they remained
on the premises. His conduct Is highly praised by
the hospital officials who had an opportunity OF
witnessing it,
A Coroner's jury was empanelled at the Morgue
early in the morning, by Coroner Schrmer. After
viewing the bodies the members OF the jury, &C
COmpanied by Captain Borden, OF the Twenty
ninth precinct, proceeded to the hotel and made
minute inspection OF the rooms which were Occu-
pied by the victims. The following are the
NAMES OF THE JURORS:-
The New York herald., 1872-12-13
ANNEKE JAMS HEIRS IN NEWARK.

In Newark yesterday, at cheap hotel, score
or so OF persons, styling themselves the Commit.
tee OF Twenty Of Anneke JAMS heirs, met and had
a talk over the prospect Of getting back Anneke's
property. IL was stated that some 400 cases were
now ahead on the calendar of the heirs suit in the
New York courts. Mr.. Oscar Frisbee made
statement Of the diffcultes he had labored under
counsel for the heirs, IL had been su rgested to
commence suit against one particular plot oil
land and against the occupant, and he, II he chose,
could substitute Trinity church. Nothing definite
was dope 80 the gathering, however.
The New York herald., 1872-12-13

tered upon the discharge OF their respective duties
and will their commissions in the course OF
o day or two
There are upwards OF three hundred applications
on nle from persons anxious TO enter the United
states service, subject to an examination. There
are several vacancies existing in the clerical force,
which can only be filled by examination Tor promo
ton, while only few positions are open to out
siders. Due notice OF the next sitting OF the Civil
tor, will be given, and applicants notified to
The New York herald., 1872-12-13
A Gallant Porter's subscription.

To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
For many years the undersigned has been con-
nected with hotels and knows the faithful services
Of the employees, particularly of the female SER
wants, whose duties commence at early dawn and
end only at late hours in the night They are, as
class, trustworthy, faithful and viglant, and are
worthy OF the sympathy OF the entire travelling
public. Lamenting tho SAD calamity which has
fallen upon the Filth Avenue Hotel l still more
deeply sympathize with the unfortunate victims Of
that flre-the poor female servants for upon their
lives and effects there were no insurances, and
therefore propose fund to be raised for their ben
eft by the various hotel employees and for that pur
pose herewith enclose the sum Of $25, to be apprO
priated in any way that will tend to the relief Of
the survivors of that Ere. Very respectfully,
-a-a"'-' THOMAS MURPHY,
Porter of the Coleman House.
The New York herald., 1872-12-13
FUNERAL OF ONE OF THE VICTIMS.

On Wednesday evening. about halfpast six
O'Clock, the charred and bruised remains of Mary
McCabe were transferred from the Morgue by an
undertaken to 249 Mulberry street, where they
were mourned over by the sister OF the deceased
Annie McCabe-with one or two other sympathiz-
ing female friends, until two O'Clock P. NJ yester-
day, when the corpse was taken to its place OF In
terment in Calvary Cemetery. Previous to the
taking place Of the funeral HERALD reporter
visited
THE SCENE OF DEATH,
which was pitiable and heart-rending in the ex-
treme. The coffin In which the vlctimized poor
girl was enclosed was placed on temporary bier
in one of the rooms OF the third story of the tene
ment house, Only the face OF the dead was to be
seen. The cheeks and forehead were crisped, but
the chin seemed to retain its original color The
room was clean and cold, and there was not the
slightest offensive odor. The coffin was neat one
and nicely bound with steel clasps. The breast.
plate on the cover bore the inscription
The New York herald., 1872-12-13

Contributions for Funeral Expenses.
NEW YORK, Dec. IL, 1872.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
DEAR SIR-Being one Of the many sympathisers
at the horrible fate that beell those poor servant
girls who were roasted alive at the late fire in the
Fifth Avenue Hotel and seeing that they have no
friends or relatives to bury them In a decent way,
l enclose $40 to help pay their funeral expenses
hope the citizens OF this city will contribute and
save them from a pauper's grave. Most respect
fully yours, PETER g. TALLEY,
1886 East Thirteenth street.
The New York herald., 1872-12-13

before the Fire Marshal yesterday and published
ues sne past eleven when We s heard he
screams OF females occupying that portion OF the
house nearest the fire. on the third noor The fire
est to It; Il had at this time reached
neither the attic nor the staircase. and In our
hour wasted in which those precious lives might
have been saved. And even after the flames had
reached the attic they might have saved them
rendered had those on the roof known where they
were, for, judging from the position In which some
had ' been making struggle o0s for 'u escape
through the windows. But. aiasI this
fatal wire netting ting which sO%g
too much deplore the relentless carelessness in
this tragedy; and the question now arises, who is
human lives. An article in the Eue,sfng Post
OF the 1lth inst. states that the day on which
ns s Go Es Be 6S sy = was
were intoxicated and that not only accounted for
the failure Of so many to escape when
connection with the origin OF the fire.
Having questioned the person In charge OF
the girls nsS ss 70 ne sops
Industrious girls, refute all such sanderous and
un-Christianke statements towards those unior-
tunate beings who cannot answer Tor themselves
contained In the article In question Who is re-
sponsible for such an infamous statement Is IL
ne Sspe be = s wh
Justice to those whe have persisted, In Justice to
the friends OF the dead, and in justice to them
selves, why do they not repudlate this Injurious
article
Too much praise cannot be bestowed upon Mr..
Thompson, the chief steward. for his cool and de-
termined action on this occasion. and principally
through his efforts the sufferers were temporarily
relieved.
We earnestly hope that subscription will be
made at an early day for the relief OF those who
have lost their money and clothes In this sad catas
:rOphe.
Should the list be opened In liberal manner by
the prOpretors OF this hotel s no doubt that
guests and employees alike will contribute satisfac-
tOriy. Yours, most respectfully, GUEST. =
The New York herald., 1872-12-13
YESTERDAY AT THE MORGUE.

when heard Of the fire. but it was after eleven
OtcInck
The New York herald., 1872-12-13

The excitement at the Morgue yesterday was not
so great as on the previous day. but considerable
numbers OF curious persons surrounded the gates
the greater part OF the morning. The c01ins had
been all raised from the tagging and the lids Of
those containing the 0lies which had been identt
fed were nailed down. The remaining collins were
piled In the shed, one upon top OF another. The
weather was bitterly cold. and che remains were
completely frozen. This was
FORTUNATE CIRCUMSTANCE.
for those whose duties compelled to be present, as
there was no trace OF decomposition left The
gates were closed, and two policemen kept back
crowd OF women, wh0 not satisfied with the feast
OF horrors Afforded them on Wednesday, wished to
have their curiosity further gratifed yesterday.
Many In their anxiety to gain admittance told
shameful lies. saying they had relatives among the
dead, but on being asked the names OF their friends
were unable to give them. One old woman. who
had been In the Morgue no less than seven times,
attempted to push her way in the eighth. but was
put back by Warden Brennan who g0od-humoredly
chaffcd her. Mr. White. the keeper, has had busy
time since the bodies arrived
ANOTHER BODY WAS IDENTIFIED
yesterday morning, that OF q young girl named
Elizabeth Campbell who was recognized by her
father an old, gray headed man. The marks that
led to her discovery were ring she wore on her
finger and popularity about her ieet, which were
tiated as those of her companions, but the upper
part OF her body was burned to charcoal. Later In
the day the body was removed by an undertaken
for intcrment IN Calvary Cemetery The coffin in
which she was taken away was very handsome
one, and bore the inscription =
New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-10-03
A Gifted Memphis Lawyer who
Edited Two Papers, Both Daily.

An antiquated writer in the Memphis AD-
peal has dug up out of his memory the follow
ing rich story. The young lawyer referred
to is still flourishing in Memphis: "There
was never greater local excitement than that
which grew out of this internal navy yard
business. Half the people were in favor of
accepting the property, and half or more OPP
posed to it, the latter thinking that the Gov
eminent might be induced even yet to make
liberal appropriations and perfect the navy
yard. and build ships and steamers here.
There were two newspapers published here
one morning publication, edited by gen.
tlcmau of no ordinary ability named Bank
head, who was tragically and mysteriously
assassinated some six years ago. There was
another, an afternoon paper, called the NeacS,
Il believe that was its name,) edited by a
man named Yancey. These editors opposed
one another on the navy yard question, and
their discussion had begotten u good deal Of
excitement, when both went away for the
summer. and each without the others knowl-
edge, employed the same man, this young
lawyer, to conduct his paper in his absence.
The young limb of the law naturally enough
took to both sides of the question. He made
the controversy between the two papers
hotter and hotter on each successive day.
Crowds gathered each afternoon about the
Ne,cS office, and somebody expected that the
two furious editors would shed blood. The
coming duel in Arkansas was confidently an
ticipated, and the ferocity of the two papers
was marvellous. Popular excitement was
intense when Bankhead came hurrying home
from Virginia and Yancey from Alabama,
each thinking the other was about to murder
his own substitute. Such was the fervor OF
popular feeling and evaporation that the
story was necessarily kept quiet. If the mis-
chievous fraud upon the public passion had
been exposed at the time the conamore editor
would have been hanged to a lamp-post.
New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-10-03
The Philosopher Muddling Mat
ters.

A despatch from New York to the Boston
Journal says:
The Greeley managers here have news Of
very lively time in the New York Commit
Tee when Mr.. Greeley gave the members to
understand he was going West. 1t now APP
pears tnat the question was debated with
nuch bitterness, and that nearly all Mr..
Greeiey's personal friends who are now at
tempting TO manage this campaign for him
were earnest and most decided in opposition
to the Western trip. On the other hand, il
was matter OF comment among this class
OF opponents to the scheme that those who
made themselves most prominent in urging
Greeley to make the journey were men who
Of late have been suspected of secretly desir-
ing Mr.. Greeley's defeat. TO this latter
class Greeley listened, and in spite of all that
the others could do he declared that he would
go, and intimated that he knew as much
about what was good policy and proper man
agement in the campaign as any one could
tell him. His idea of the trip seemed to be
that he could, through the medium of the
Associated Press, which would, of course, be
open to him, explain not only to his audiences
but to the whole country some matters that,
as they now stand before the country, were
an injury to his prospects, and the two prin-
cipal matters in his mind to be smoothed
over were his early secession ideas and his
views in regard to the currency and specie
payments, which were doing him much dam
age among business men. His attack on the
soldiers in Pittsburg is regarded among his
chief managers in New York as thus far the
greatest misfortune of the campaign, and his
attempt at Cincinnati to explain his views
about secession as but little better. One of
II. Greeley's reasons for ignoring the advice
New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-10-03
What DO These Things Mean +!

What did He zee Greeley mean in his let
ter from Memphis to the New York Tribune
of June :, In year, written on the 81 of the
month who. he said:
81 am confident that two thirds of The
men, with nine-tenths of the women who
composed the slaveholding estate, would this
day give half their houses and lands to have
their slaves, back again, just as they pos
sessed them in 1860.
They consider themselves robbed by cman-
cipation; and would like their property bach,
again, or its value in some equivalent.
And what did he mean by saving in the
same letter, that " theyn-the rebels
Propose to renew the fight, but moi with
gun and saber. They expect to regain as
Democrats, through elections, the power they
lost as rebels, through the war;
And what did he mean when in the same
communication, speaking OF the Colored vote,
he said that
''They will seek to coerce enough of il
into voting the Democratic ticket to give
them a ma iority of the Southern electoral
vote for next President
And what does the following extract from,
the speech Of Governor Brown, of Tennes-
see, at a recent Greeley ratification meeting
at Nashville mean?
"Hc supported Greeley because he loved
the South, bailed JEFF Davis, advocated uni
versal amnesty, and had no knsfolk. He
did not care what Greeley had said in the
past against the South and its institutions.
1t was enough for him to know that now he
was in favor of restoring her to her prestine
rights. Greeley, if elected, would pay the
losses of the South, and set her people on the
high road t. wealth and happiness"
And what are the taxpayers Of the coun-
try to infer from this statement Of Golladay
Democratic Representative in Congress,
made at the same time and place?
"Grceley at the outset of the war, was in
favor Of letting the hayward sisters depart
in peace and afterward went single-handcd
and alone TO meet our Commissioners in Can
ada, TO treat for peace. Not Democrat i'll
the North dared go with him, or manifested
any desire to GO He was then in favor Of
paying the South !or her slaves, and believe
he is still ~
These statements Of the candidate and his
friends are respectfully recommended to the
consideration of all men who believe that
their taxes are already sufficiently heavy and
who propose that the results of the war shall
stand as they are, untinkered and unim-
paired.
New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-10-03

who insisted that he should not go West was
that he followed their commands and came
out of Maine and OFT of New England much
sooner than he desired, and he now feels that
if he had been permitted to 60 over that State
more thoroughly, the result would have been
much more favorable to his cause. The
great problem among his shrewdest friends
in New York i how to get him home the
quickest. and keep him there, and keep him
still the longest. It is understood there was
only one majority in the New York Commit
tee in favnr of NJ Ererley's trim.
New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-10-03

You may search MIR. Greeley's speeches
in vain for single kindly, OR even just, ref
erence to those who helped to defend the
cause of the Union during the war. They
are speeches which might Just as well have
been made by JEFF. Davis. AT Pittsburg Mr..
Greeley grossly insulted the Union soldiers,
telling them that when they met together il
was for "the single purpose of reminding
the bitterness and hatred, the animosities
and antipathies, the fears and Civilizations of
civil war" This was not only grossly I'M
true, but it is studied attack on class
which is and always must be entitled to the
gratitude of the nation. Have not soldiers
rs much right to hold convention as labor
reformers, temperance reformers, Fentonitc
reformers, or any other body Of men: Why
should they be singled out for Mr.. Greeley's
insults? Probably they will let Mr.. Greeley
know what they thnH of his taunts at the
New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-10-03
Not u SelESeeker.

The Toledo (Ohio) Commercial aptly saws
that one thing in regard to General Grants
speaking should not be forgotten-that he
has never been known to speak in his own
behalf, not even in self-defense. The Com
meyeioi continues " He never asked for place,
power or emolument for himself. From the
time, in April, 1861, when Governor Yates
called him to Springfield to act as adiutant
general in organizing the Illinois volunteers,
to this 18th day of September, 1872, his voice
has never been heard in application for any
favor personal to himself. And so, in his
civil administration. With his motives and
his acts assailed and misrepresentcd by po-
litical enemies and protested political friends
he has quietly pursued the even tenor of his
way, without stopping for retort, or even to
notice, the assaults of his foes But amid ali
this great wrong-so unjust and so aggra-
vating-who has heard Ulysses ). Grant
complain? The most that is known to have
fallen his lips, was his response to the long,
bitter and malicious assault of Charles Sum
ner, to wit: Il am willing to put my acts
against Mr.. Summers words That was all 4.
No recrimination-nO personal bitterness
not even an attempt to show wherein his
acts refuted his enemy's WORDS"
New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-10-03
Committee.

Boston, September IS, 1872.
Letters were read from George William
Curtis, George F. Hoar, Harriet Beecher
Stowe, Lydia Maria Child, and Elizabeth
Stuart Phelps, heartily approving the objects
of the meeting.
New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-10-03

Eighteen thousand Communists are still
held in prison in France, notwithstanding the
large number of cases which have been al
ready disposed of by court martial execution.
deportation to New Caledonia, or acquittal.
Of the prisoners still amenable to the law and
awaiting trial, some ten thousand will soon
be discharged without further proceedings.
Only persons accused of assassination, rOk-
berry, or ars\n will be arraisned b.acunsSEf.S
New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-10-03

An elderly lady in Michigan says she
iikss TO attend Greeley meetings, "because
they are SO quiet" She says she enj0ys
tnem nearly as much as she does, funerals.
New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-10-03

TIE reviews "a DcEamatory Article I'm tn 9
"Ne" York Tribune'-The AbsUrdity OF q
haheioas Charge-How the Tribune
violates the Ninth Commandment.