Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-11-15
A FAMILY PYRE.
BURNING OF A TENEMENT HOUSE.

"A
New YORK, Nov. l4.-Early this morning a
Are took place on the second floor of tenem ent
No. 80 Canon street. Mary Babiski, who occu-
pied a, artments on the third hoor leaped to
the street and was probably fatally injured.
Joseph Eatzkie, who lived on the fourth floor,
unable to escape by roof or stairs, threw him.
self from window and was killed. His entire
family, consisting of wife and two children and
mother il law, were suIfocated. The damage
by fire will not exceed $500.
BATZK1E's FATE.
When the cries Of the neighbors brought the
police and fremcn to tho house, Batzkie was
seen rushing wildly to the window of his bed
room, and returning as if endeavoring to drag
something with him. The smoke drove him
back, but he returned again this time and q
sheet of flame shot into his face, and with a
despairing cry he seized window frame and
spraug out. The distance was not so great,
but in his descent the man feet were caught
by the Intel of the window below and he was
turned head downward. Thus he struck the
pavement with a sickening thud, and
dead before he could be
raised. The flames and smoke now poured
through the upper windows, from which not
groan was heard and sign of life was seen
after the fall Of Batzkie. but the fremen were
at work and soon the flames were under con-
troll, When at length the top floor was gained
-FOUR HUMAN BEINGS,
closely huddlcd together on the bed in the lit
tie side room, met the eyes Of the fremen.
Half conscious, probably, and struggling to
rouse herself with the cries of the husband
springing out from the window whittier he
made his two Intellectual attempts to come to
her assistance the wife had rolled upon the
floor and reached her children's room, her first
thought being for them. There the smoke had
overcome her and with her last strength feel
ing about for her boys. she had sat upon them
and died. Their drawn up limbs showed the
agony of their death struggles together. Their
checks were slightly scorched otherwise the fire
had not touched them. The smoke had done
the work effectually.
THE coHENs.
While the police were ~endeavoring to dis
cover the whereabouts Of Cohen and wife Mrs.
Cohen appeared and at the sight of the scorch-
ed home, called to neighbor, my God, what
is the matter with our house?' ''You may
we'll ask, said the neighbor. 'Four persons
have been carried out of here dead What did
you do to your rooms last night:' II am in
sured: our property is all rlght,' was the re-
ply. Mr.. Sheldon, the insurance man on post
at the door, interferred and spoke to the wo.
man, who detlantly replied she did not suppose
she had any bust Less to give him information.
He turned her away, and she was not seen
again until IL O'clock when detective
brought her to the police, station a
had como there. He. too, was bent on money,
bringing with him lawyer who was the guar
dian Of his insurance policy. He had reused
him from his bed at seven o'clock, stating that
his house was burned and he must come with
him to the place to show his policy. No one
haH y 4ho hy1rr o1 1,ofo
that. Cohen could hardly tarry till the lawyer
put on his clothes and rushed him at once to
the station where, without word or thought for
the dead, he exhibited the paper. He was in
sured for $500 in Pacific company. Sergeant
Griffiths informed him he was a prisoner.
sense of his position appeared to slowly creep
over his mind and he made haste to inform the
sergeant that he knew nothing about the fire.
He had been at work all plight at his trade at
2O5 Delaney street. His wife and children had
spent the night at his brothers house, No. los
Hester street. His brothers wife had met
with an accident, and they had gone to spend
the night with her and take care of her.
SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES.
l.. Cohen and his family were regarded with
suspicion by their neighbors. Yesterday Mrs.
Cohen observed carrying from the house
several large bundles, and a few minutes be-
fore~7 o'clock Cohen and his wife and children
dressed in better clothes than they ordinarily
wear and left the house, bringing large bundles.
Patrick Lynch the injured fireman, three
times reached the fourth floor and tried to bear
out the unconscious woman and children, but
each time was driven back and finally made
his own escape by tottering fire escape. In
his descent he passed the flames and was borne
away to the hospital, where he lay at midday.
Fire Marshal Shadon came early and made an
investigation, which is now going on. He
points out the fact of there being no scuttle in
the roof. Cohen was arrested at an insurance
office, where he had $500 insurance on his prop
erty. His wife was found also and locked up.
Fire Marshal Sheldon's investigation result
ed in the discharge Of the Cohen family for
lack of evidence upon which to hold them.