New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-01-02
KILLED BY FIRE AND FRIGHT
+, SHOCKING DEATH or MISS VAN WORST.
,,,p Clothing IGyITFD AT AN OPEN GRATIFYING

MFR CLOTHING IGNITFD AT AN OPEN GRATE-DflNI
JUST AFTER THE FLAMES WERE PUr OUT
The people of Murray Hill were shocked yes
,rrlay by the announcement tnat Miss Ehzapetn ID.
Van Worst elderly lady belonging to one OF te oueS'
and most respected families OF the city had met WIN
terrible death. For several years Miss van worst hau
occupiod ve-story brownstone house No. oo west
ST. She possessed ample means. inherited
from her father Cornelius Van Worst OF Jersey CitS'
and she found much enjoyment in entertaining friends
at her home. Lately she had been in poor heath ana
had spent most her time In the house. her constant
companion being her niece, Mrs. Cooper. She loved
acheeriu fire aud kept pile pine sticks blazing in an
open hearth IN her parlor on the second floor
After late breakfast yesterday Miss Van Worst went
10 the paror about 10:30 III. and busted herself ABOUT
thc rooih alone, while Mrs Cooper went to the upper
mart OF the house. A postman rang the bell shortly
before IL a. III and met at the door by servant
Ue had not gone many yards from the house when Mrs
Cooper ana the servants heard Miss Van Worst scream
far assistance They FASTENED the paror the servant
arriving there few seconds In advance OF Mrs Cooper
Miss Van Worst was envelOpbd In flames which were
burning her skirts size franticaly trying to free
herself from the fiery embrace, but was not strong
enough to do much. The fire in the CRATE had set hcr
nrcss abaze, probably as she arranging some
article OF brlc the manel and the Ham es had
alrea iy extended 10 the carpet.
Mrs Cooper and the servant caught up some rugs and
tried TO smother the flames Another servant soon
the effort TO SuDduc the WAS
but Miss Van Worst fell exhausted OH the floor unable
70 u;ter another CRY. A district messenger who was
passng tic mouse glare OF the flames and heard
the cries OF the occupants OF the house lie ran INTO
the telegraph office only few yards away and told
what he had seem J. f. McCuum, who was In charge
OF The ofcs went to Miss Van vorst's houee just as
servant hasened the Office of Dr. E. Henschel on the
opposte side OF the street Several oher entered
the house b the door, which the servant had left open
Ehey helped to pour water on Miss Van Worst WHO was
then nsen slblc and evidently dying Before Dr. Hen
sehe entered the house Miss Van Worst expired Her
limbs body had been charred by the flames and most
OF her clothing had been destroyed some OF the rugs
which had been used to smother the fire having been
partly burned also.
messenger was sent TO call Robert Sewell inc
lawyer, who brother-in-law OF Miss van worst,
from his house Forty and he took charge OF
the body. Word also to W. Z. Powers, OF No
% West Forty eighth another brother in-law OF the
dead woman Members OF the family at first expressed
wish to have the circumstances OF Miss van Norsts
death made public, aud for time Information was
Withheld but Ia the afternoon Mr. Powers related TO
TRIBUNE reporter what he had earred He thought that
Miss Van died Of fright before she endured nuch
suffering. Miss Van Worst was sixty y-nne years old.
The arrangements for her funeral had not been COM
petel last evening.
Coroner Messemer informed OF the death OF MisS
Van Worst as quickly possible and went at once Ia the
house after viewing body he took the testimony OF
the flames. She testified as follows:
reside at No So West Forty-sNth-st. 1 AIN do
mestic the employ OF Miss Van Worst; l have oeen
a half years on January l. abont 1O:45 O'Clock a m
in the Kitchen when the oei rsnS o ond aS .aS sms.
all arOdud Miss Van Worst. Her clothing was ON Ire
flames Mrs. Cooper assisted me and we hualy sue
ceeled in extngushins the fire Miss van worst was
dqstag the ante when her dress caught IRE al CRATE
filled with pine wood logs. She burned to death in
few minutes She screamed loudly. when first ran 10
ht,t, u5.lg rD "a
lew times Drcause the suOSe sunocated her. She died
few minutes before IL O'clock
Dr. E. X Henschel testified:
Twas called in to No West Forty sixth st. 10 see
Miss Elizabeth Il. Van Worst. deceased fohud the
s@5ySers sgSy shs @ was yins upon the oor with
contracted, body bent and face TO the floor
After making the investigation Coroner Nessemer
gave a permit for the removal OF the body.
The cause Of death given shock from superficial
burns OF the body, face. head and extremities."
Dr. Albert r. Ledoux, of No. 22 West Fory-eighth-st,
relative Of dead woman, the following version
OF tine sad affair to TRIBUNE reporter last evening:
81 was at Miss Van Vorsts home this AFTERNOON
shortly after the fire. At few minutes before ii O'Clock
this morning Miss Van Worst Lad finished breakfasting
with her niece Mrs. Cooper The two started
upstairs together to the second foor where Miss
Van yorsts room situated. The latter entered her
apartment which the front of the house and her
c0Inpa.Ou 10 her room on the nOor above Exaci-
ly ~ what manner the unfortunate lady spent the TIME
until her niece found her few minutes later with her
Clothing afdme Is not Known but much can he assumed
from the appearance of the A wood ire was
burning the aud "a wicker chair drawn be-
fOrei On cnierinG after breakfast Miss Van worst had
IN all probability gone 10 the mahtel
TO arrange ornaments which the servant
had displaced from hslr accustomed position. Nhllc
thus engaged her clothing have IN contact
with a spark from the CRATE Her brought Mrr.
Cooper from tho floor above and the servant from the
kitchen assistance. Both arrived about the same
found Miss Van Worst standing near the door
letdag the hail. with be lower portion Of her dress
IRE. In instant Mrs. Cooper mad a lHHnket
wrapper around her aunt and the iames were eItn-
glshed before they ha attacked any vital part Atie-
10
fireplace, which were by this time afiiine.
"ln rushing from the nante 10 summon help MISS van
NOrsts burning garments had probably gnited the var
nsb of the chair. While buckets OF water were Oclhs
brought put the fire. without word OF warning
Of Miss Van Worst dropped 10 the moor or thr
room where they all still saDdnG IL was lhOusht
The usna reslOrativcs were applied and Dr Edward n.
Henscbe living at No. 6l opposite, who was standing
Oh his sO0p at the iimc called H. An lnstants eh-
animation showed him that life was extinct ana lie
the result OF fright ana not OF the DnrD-.
which had extenied further than her limbs Nofd
was sent Immediately 10 the home oI ROBERT SeNc VINO
j. Mss VdnNO brOher-iuaw, and lives directly III
the rear Of her house He directly TO the house,
and after leaving directions that nothing HhOuld pe
disturbed until his return, he went to get a coroner
Coronfr Messemer was found aDd returned win 1r'
Sewell He viewed the bOdy ANA heard "hat, Mrr'
toOver and the had 10 say He expressed MN
sell as satisfied that inquest was necessary ana ne
Issued certificate OF death III accordance with the iacts
as have stated them.
"Ihe dead woman had been In delicate health Tor
many years Her family physician, whom saw thls
afternoon, expressed surprise at her sudden deat
He deemed solely due 70 fright niuced by the excite
ment about her niece's and her narrow escape
Mss Van YOrsts father has been dad Tor many years
md she had lived alone with her niece In the house
mere she died"
YppoSpNE TO AID REVENGE.