The New York herald., 1873-01-31
THE STEVENS CASTLE ON FIRE.
1t Burns Over Six Hours for Want Of Water
and Proper Management Loss Light.

At a little before nine O'Clock yesterday morning
fire was discovered issuing from the roof Of the
tower Of the Stevens Castle, Hoboken, on the
old Elysian Fields Grounds The alarm was i'm
medately given, when several Of the inmates pro-
ceeded to the top floor OF the tower when
they found that the whole roof was in a
blaze. AS this portion OF the building
was unoccupied the fire had no means
Of communicating with the floors below. The
alarm soon reached the Hoboken Fire Department
who promptly responded but they found on their
arrival that their hands were tied they having no
hand engine or steamers, only hose, and the force
OF water from the hydrant would not reach the
second story Chief Engineer Knifin, fearing that
he would be unable to cope with the flames with
only what water could be brought in pals, teie-
graphed
TO JERSEY CITY FOR AID,
and soon Chief Engineer Farriex, with steam en-
gines Nos. and 8, put in an appearance, also the
steamtug jesse which ran up to the 'Sybil's Cave"
at the foot OF the hill. The great distance that the
steamers and tugs had to convey the water COM
PEELED them to use the hose OF the HobOken De-
partment, which kept continually bursting, and
proved to be utterly worthless. This was also q
great drawback, which, together with the want Of
proper management, caused the fire to burn for
six hours, it being after three O'Clock in the
afternoon before it was exnngushed Nearly all
the furniture In the easterly portion OF the building
all about three hundred thousand dollars worth of
furniture, &C., Of which abOut two hundred thou
sand dollars Is in
VALUABLE PAINTINGS AND srAruARY,
several OF the latter costing from eight to fifteen
thousand dollars each The paintings are by nearly
all OF the leading artists throughout the world and
could never have been replaced had the building
been destroyed. The fire originated from defect
in fiue running up from the reception room 10
the roof OF the tower. 1t was covered by gavan-
ized iron, and considered to be perfectly sale.
THE LOSS
on the building will not exceed three thousand
dollars, which there Is insurance OF S25, 900
in the Merchants, Germania, HOb0ken and one
other company. The damage to the furniture will
fall short OF Ave hundred dollars. No insurance.
The castle Is built OF heavy blue stone, and was
started by Robert l.. Stevens in 1856. He died
shortly afterwards, when Edwin A. Stevens, his
brother, finished 1t In 1858.
Captain Donovan, Of the Hoboken Police, with a
strong force, was early on hand and rendered great
assistance, as
HUNDREDS CONGREGATED
on the grounds, many going over from New
York, among whom were quite number OF noted
thieves Mrs. Stevens remained In the castle dur
ing the whole time, experimenting everything
within the interior OF the building. Just about the
time the fire had been extnguished her brother,
the Rev. Mr. D0dd handed her one OF the evening
journals, which announced the destruction OF the
castle, at which she laughed heartily and ex.
claimed, "Thank fortune am still In the ruins. y
The want OF engines by the Hoboken Fire Depart
ment has fully demonstrated TO the HObOken Coun'
Gil the necessity OF procuring q steamer before
heavy connagrati0n takes place.