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

New YORK, Nov 14.-Early this morning a
FIRE took place on the second floor of tenem ent
No. 50 Canon street. Mary Babiski, who occu-
pied a. artments on tho third floor, leaped TO
tho street and was probably fatally injured.
Joseph Batzkie, who lived on the fourth hoor
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 in-law, were suffocated. The damage
by fire will not exceed $500.
BATzKIE's FATE.
When the cries Of the neighbors brought the
police and freman 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 a
sheet of flame shot into hia face, and with
despairing cry he seized window frame and
sprang out. The distance was not so great,
but in his descent the mans feet were caught
by the Intel of the window below and he was
turned head downward. Thus he struck the
pavement Sz with te Scke Sa thnd' and I'D
raised. The flames and smoke poured
through the upper windows, from which not
groan was heard and no sign of life was seen
after the fall of Batzkie, but the iremen were
at work and soon the flames were under con-
troll. When at length the top floor was gained
FOUR HUMAN BEINGS
closely huddled together on the bed in the lit
tie aide ROOM met the eyes of the fremen.
Half conscious, probably, and struggling to
herself with the cries of the husband
sprin@ing 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
cheeks were slightly scorched, otherwise the fire
had not touched them. The smoke had done
the work efrectually.
THE CoHENs.
While the police we're .endeavoring to dis
cover the whereabouts OF Cohen and wife Mrs.
Cohen appeared, and at tha sight of thc.scorch-
ed home, called to a 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 90 to your rooms last nlght:' II ON in
sured our property is all right the re-
ply. Mr.. Sheldon, the insurance man on post
at the door, interferred and spoke to the wo
man, who deiantly replied she did not suppose
she had any business to give him information.
He turoed her away, and she was not seen
brought her to tho police station a
prisoner. At Q o'clock, Cohen himself
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
had seen him near the burned house before
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, ne exhibited the paper. He was in
sured for $500 in a Pacific company. Sergeant
Griffiths informed him he was a prisoner. A
sense of his position appeared to slowly creep
his mind, and he made haste to inform the
sergeant that he knew nothing about the fire.
He had been at work all night at his trade, at
205 Delaney street. His wife and children had
spent the night at his brothers house, No. los
Hester street. His brothers wife had met
with 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 was observed carrying from the house
several large bundles. and few minutes be-
fore 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 tue fourth floor and tried to bear
out the unconscious woman and children, but
each time 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 going on. He
points out the fact of there being no scuttle in
the roof. Cohen 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 tho discharge Of the Cohen family for
lack Of evidence upon which to hold them.