The New York herald., 1872-12-28
THE CENTRE STREET HORROR.

No Action Yet Taken to Recover the
Bodies from the Ruins-Who 10 20
Assume thc Responsibility i-Frocced-
tngs Before Coroner Herman.
There seems to be some doubt AZ to whose duty
is is TO assume the responsibility and bear the ex
pense OF, clearing away the ruins cf the burned
bookbindery 50, IS and 81 Centre street, under
which, there remains bat little, II any, doubt,
Me the dead and eharred BODIES OF seven Of those
who were employed In the place,
Mr.. Robert Craighead, owner OF the building,
cannot be found, either by messenger or by tele-
graph, and in order tnat prompt action might be
taken towards removing the ruins and the human
remains under them Captain Kennedy, of
the Sixth precinct, yesterday informed Cor
0ner Herman that superintendent Kelso
would be pleased to confer with him on the sub
ject at his earliest convenience. The Coroner ae-
cOrdingiy visited Police Headquarters, and daring
an interview with Superintendent Kelso told
him he believed the Police Department had power
to proceed with the work in question, and sug-
gested chat humanity dictated there should be as
little delay AZ possible.
Later in the day Coroner Herman took the depo.
sition OF Captain Kennedy, OF the Sixth precinct,
and those OF two men whose relatives are sup
posed to be buried under the ruins OF tho Centre
street fire. Suhjoined win he found copies OF the
afrdavits referred to-
Thomas J. Kennedy. being sworn deposes and
says-I am Captain OF the Six til precinct; am in
formed that there are seven bodies missing In the
ruins Of the fire At IS and 81 Centre street, their
names are as follows :--Jane Stewart, II Charlton
street; Bridget McGrath, 331 First avenue; Mar
garet Donohue. 123 East Tenth street; Mary Dono-
hue, 1913 East Tenth street; Margaret Bell, 90 ave-
nue. A; Charlotte Bell, 90 avenue A; James Bevins,
l64 Broome street; said fire occurred December "a
who are relatives and friends OF the above
informed me that the missing persons We're enl-
pl0yed In the said building and were never known
to stay away later than SIX O'Clock; the landlord
is Robert Craighead, residing in Yonkers, aud
efforts have been made to find him, but without
and done all he could to reach the owner but has
not succeeded; have no power to proceed and
search Ior the bodies In the ruins.
Michael McGrath, of 334 First avenue, depOsed
that his sister, Bridget was employed in the book
bindery Of Archer Anderson, S5, S5 and 81 Centre
she left home to 90 10 her work. have not seen her
since ana am sure that she perished at the fire in
the building alorenamcd; she was In the habit Of
coming home every evening.
John Stewart OF No. 1876 Charlton street, testified
that his daughter Jane worked in the bindery
OF Anderson A. Archer, Nos. SO, SIS and 81 Centre
street; saw her alive on Tuesday; she left the
house in the morning; have not seen her since ain
sure she must have perlshed during the hre at the
above place on Tuesday night, the 24th or De-
William Dean, roundsman of the Sixth precinct,
ber, when the fire broke out at Nos. S3, S5 and 81
Centre street, he went into the building with
officer Cunningham and Fireman John MCGloin;
noticed there were o number OF females employed
in the building; a number OF the girls were saved,
but have reason to believe that there were num-
ber OF persons VINO pershed In the building
Below will be found the copy OF a letter ad-
dressed to superintendent Keso by Coroner Herr
man -
CoRoNERs OFFICE No IL CRY HALL,
NEw YORK, Dec n, 1872.
j. }. KELs0 Superinten endent OF Police Department.
r
fire which took place at Nos. 50 and 81 Centre street,
the 24th inst, several lives have been lost.
/ have taken the statement OF Captain Kennedy and
several Others and constrained to believe that the
bodies OF Jane Stewart AMI six other persons
buried beneath the ruins OF said buildings, and
has been made for their recovery therefore request
you to take steps to have the bodies OF said burned
sons dug up and recovered SO that an inquest may be
what manner said persons came TO their death.
think the honorable Board OF Police have the power
to incur the expense either behalf Of the the
buildings the city, and, they have not 1t ought be
the duty OF the Department OF Public Works At all
events would be cruel TO allow red tape 70 interfere
when humane duty must be performed. Very respect
fully yours q. N. HERMAN, Coroner.