The New York herald., 1874-03-27
TIE M0RRISANIA CALAMITY.

Continued Indifference of the Authori-
ties-Is There u Coroner in ssthe AM
nexed District :"-NO OmciaI Search for
the Dead-Rumors Of an Inquest To BE
Held To-Day.
The all absorbing topic or conversation IN Norris
ania yesterday was the irigntml holocaust which
destroyed poor Mrs. Margaret Burns and three of
her little ones Such a horrfc catastrophe Is so
unusual in that portion OF New York that the
people especially the poorer classes, seem to be
bewlldered in its contemplation and almost unable
to comprehend its Notwithstanding features. The
scene Of the calamity was visited throughout the
day BY thousands. a predominatlng number OF
which we're women, whose sympathetic remarks
in regard to the Inflated Burns family, and prayer
ful CALCULATIONS for their own preservation
from like fatality were frequently heard
above the authoritative voice OF the solitary
police officer on duty, ordering the too inquisitive
ones to "keep Dack"
Human life seems TO be lightly valued by the au-
thorites of the new Twenty-third ward. Up to
four O'Clock yesterday afternoon Coroner Miller
displayed the same apathy as he evinced on Wednes
day in regard to the measures Tor the recovery
OF what remains OF the dead. The work OF digging
for the bodies, undertaken by kind-hearted neigh
bors on Wednesday, was OF course suspended when
darkness set IN that evening, and these being
poor men, they could afford to the task
yesterday, to the neglect OF their own means OF
support Accordingly While IL appeared TO be
well known tnat the remains of one other child yet
lay buried beneath the debris, no efI0rt had been
made 10 lind them up to the time mentiOned-an
inhuman indifference on the part Of the authorities
which Is almost incredible.
Coroner Miller, whose functions are popularly
supposed 10 pear directly on speedy and thorough
searcn lor human remains under similar clicum-
stances, excuses himself from responsibility by
saying that he does not feel warranted IN employ
Ing men To prosecute the search Tor the remaining
body, as Comptroller Green has intmated that he
tMIler) need not look TO him for his pay as Coro-
ner. 1hls Official was elected as a Westchester
county Coroner some months previous to the
passage oil the Anne xation act, and, 1t is under
stood, has been allowed 10 continue in ofice under
the protecting wing OF District Attorney Phelps.
Whether there is legally constituted Coroner IN
stl remains unsettled IN the minds OF It's most in
teulgent inhabitants.
1t appears, from careful inquiries made by
HERALD reporter yesterday, that UottenrOth, who
carried on the harness making business on the
ground door OF one OF the burned buildings, did
not WIN nis family occupy apartments IN the
Gesuoyed tenements 1t was from the cellar
underneath TINS harness shop, and connected
therewlth, that Anthony Spener who keeps q
lager Deer saloon the opposite side OF the
street, nrst saw the names shooting FORTH SO lar
as can pe ascertalned from those living in the
vicinity, Hottenrotn had his stock insured for
$4,000. This man had been carrying on business
in CORTLAND avenue and moved only about ten
days ago into the building which was comsuned
What there was In that cellar to cause spon.
taneous combustion Is a question frauphJ with
fearful import.
Coroner Miller was not to be found Yesterday.
but IL was understood that his deputy LEFT word
at the police station that an inquest would be
commenced this friday morning. AS the after.
noon advanced a lew volunteers commenced
searching again for the missing BODY, but up TO
late hour the remains which they so anxiously
sought had n OF been discovered.