New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-08-18
BURNED IN A SUMNER HOTEL.
FOUR LIVES LOST At LOCUST GROVE.

FOUR LIVES LOST AT LOCUST GROVE.
DISASTROUS RESULTS OF FRIDAY NIGHTS FIRE
THE REMAINS OF FOUR VICTIMS RECOVERED.
The fire at Locust Grove Friday evening, full de-
tails of which published in Saturdays TRIB-
UNE, resulted in the death of at least four persons
two men and two wOmen-wlOse bodies were found
in the ashes on Saturday. SO completely did the
fire do its work that when men began to examine the
ashes on Saturday hardly piece of wood remained
of what was once an attractive Summer hotel. The
four persons who lost their lives in the fire were
Joseph W. Pierce, of Rochester. the manager of tho
hotel; William Schuhardt, the man in charge Of
the oil room. where the fire began, and Catherine
Rafter and Louisa Crane, servants in the house.
The bodies were burned 50 that had IL not been for
articles Of iewelry and bits Of clothing found near
them, they would have been unacceptable; Pierce
weighed over 300 pounds, and was identified partly
by his slze. HIS arms and legs were burned entirely
of lis silver watch melted into an unrecOgnlZ-
able mass q green stone shirt stud, several COINS
and two knives were found near him. SCnuhaTdtS
body was found near the oil-room into which the
light had been carried with such fatal results. Be-
meath the room which the two women occupied
were found the remains of Catherine Rafter and
Louisa Crane, the latter being identified By some
corset stecls, ard the former being found few feeG
distant with her hand near the key Of her tTunk.
Mr.. Pierce was born in the western part of New
York and at one time he and his brother William
had charge of hotel at Rochester. His wife is an
invalid and is now living at Rochester. Her grown
lives with her. Pierce was about htN-hYe
years old, and it is said that he intended to
leave his place as manager of the hotel
on Saturday, because of a difficulty between him
self and one of the pTOprietOrs. 1t is Thought
that Pierce died while trying to save some OF his
possessions Perces brother, William A., came 10
the scene of the ire yesterday and will take the
body TO Rochester at 1880 q. III. to-day. The body
will be buried in Mount Hope Cemetery with Ma
sonic honors.
Schuhardt was a night Waterman around the
hotel and lived in Bath, wherelhe worked,atiinakiDg
shoes. He owned some Of the furniture III the pa-
his four children are now with their
grandmother, their mothers mother, III Bath.
The boaTdeTs at the hotels and the villagers are cir
eulatlDg subscription papers TO provide fund for
them. Schubardt and his wife were both members
of the Dutch Reformed Church IN the. village, and
for a short time be acted sexton of the church
He will be buried from the church this afternoon,
and the Rev. CHARLES S. Wright, of the Flatbush
Reformed Mission Church, VIII conduct the ser
Catharine Rafter and Louisa Crane roomed
together, The former, bad several thou
Bank, and is said TO have had money Ia
her trunk. She had a widowed sister and
two orphan nieces, children OF another sister living
in Indiana. These relatives she supported by her
wages and interest money. She was an Irish woman
about sixty-6ve years of age, and came to America
when she was about twenty-five years old. Her
trunk was beside her body, and was unlocked, and
it supposed that she was trying to save her money
when she was overpowered by the smoke. Yester-
day morning her remains were taken to Brooklyn
by her friends and her funeral will probably take
place to-day. OF Louise Crane little is known, as
She went to the hotel recently. She was chamber
maid and Is said to have friends in Brooklyn. Her
body was removed yesterday, and will be buried
this afternoon by ex-MayOr Gunther, proprietor OF
the hotel.
The bodies when found on Saturday were removed
to a small summer house, in which the children
were accustomed TO play, aud early IN the evening
a Jury was impaneed by Coroner CrOpSey. with
the aid of James Hennessy, who had charge of the
bar and several others, the bodies were identified,
after which the Coroner adjourned the inquest until
early this evening. when the jury will meet at
EnOch BeTry's grocery store at New Utrecht. FIVE
men under command OF CAPTAIN Scott, watched
over the rains during Saturday night and through
the day Yesterday and last night. No attempt
was made to search for bodies OF prop
erty yesterday. 1t is thought, however. that
no one else burned In the hre.
On Saturday two women were said to be missing,
but they have been heard from. EX-MayoT
Gunther and Coroner CrOpsey were at the scene OF
the fire yesterday, and the former expressed Ais IN
tention of rebuilding the hotel before Spring: To-
day the work Of examining the ashes VIII ne re,
suued and il is expected that considerable melted
1ewelry and coin will be found. There were no in
quiries yesterday for missing friends.