New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-04-03
ART TREASURES IN ASHES.
Mr. PHELPS SUFFERS woFUL LOSS
HOW THE FIRE STARTED FROM AN EXPLOSION or
IKAKING GLs-souR rHlNas avn

HOW THE FIRE STARTED FROM AN EXPLOSION or
LEAKING GAs-soAE THINGS SAVED.
Blacxened walls of brick that outline the de-
stroyed house, few tau, grim chmneys that rear
themselves up in the midst OF charred wood and
ashes, are about all that remain of the homo Of
William Walter Phelps at Teaneck. n. j., which
was burned on Sunday night. Originally it was
o high-peaked farmhouse, known as the " old
Jacob Fink homestead MIR. Phelps made addi-
tions to it from time to time during the twenty
years that he has lived in it, until it had grown
into long, rambling cottage Of picturesque and
beautiful design The Office, at the north end Of
the mansion, was the most unique room in the
house. In the pigeon holes Of this Office wero
gathered the results of Mr.. Phelpss studies and
his memoranda on all subjects. Each was named
and numbered. All of his more intimate friends
had a pigeon-hole or drawer, and 1t received
everything from newspaper or magazine or pr-
vate letter which concerned him. There were
collections OF this nature oonceFning Speaker
Grow, Governors Fenton and Morgan Henry
Watterson, John Hay, Mr. Blaine, John Blgelow
Senator Allison, S. b Chittenden, George Bliss
and others There were many br0nzes, some OF
large size and cost Among them group OF
large pair Of Cloisonne vases, bought IN CHINA,
and said to be over 200 years old.
PORTRAITS OF GARFIELD AND BLAINE
The other rooms were magnifcently fitted up
and adorned with pictures and artistic brle-a-Drao
The picture gallery did not contain all OF Mr.
Phelps art treasures, which formed an exceedingly
valuable collection. Each room and hall had
one or more gems, a water color, oil painting
or old engraving or etching. Many of the sleeping
rooms had paintings by old masters. In the
drawing-room was full-length Photographic
portrait of General Garfield This is especially
priced by Mr.. Phelps, and his instructions were
that in case Of fire, this was the first article
TO be removed. Ills friendship with the martyfed
President was especially close.
Garfield came round to Mr. Phelps's room the
first day of his first session to escort the young
Jerseyman to the House Of Representative
thought Walter might feel little lonesome 10
enter such bear garden for the first time all
by himself" be said, as an apology for the act
This picture was the last inanimate object that
attracted Garfeds attention. 1t was sent TO
Elberon day or two before he died. 10 divert
his mind il was brought into his sick-room and
placed against a table that he might see H.
lie recognized it with pleasant smile and It stayed
there until he died. Subsequently Mrs Garheld
rave il 70 Mr.. Phelps. This was saved
full-length oil portrait OF MI Blaine done
by Henry Ulke. in the picture gallery sna ID
a kind Of companion picture to the Oarheld- inns
was destroyed Mr.. Blaine is not an easy suplect
but this was generally recognized as the best
portrait for which he ever sat.
There were many other valuable pictures, some
being family portraits Inc severesu loss, gs ia
bronzes, curosties in china, glass furniture etc,
some inherited from Mr.. Phelps father, the
others the personal accommodations of twenty years
sandawood carvings, idols, etc, collected by
Captain Phelps on his trip in the Brunhllde
COVERED WITH FALLING GLASS
Mrs Phelps had for several days noticed
disagreeable smell, which at times was attributed
to the possible escape Of gas, but the search
for any leak had been in vain. About six o'clock
on Sunday night she again noticed the smell
of gas, and presently went to William Bennett
house, asking him TO investigate. lie found the
smell of gas very strong on entering the picture
gallery and was about to open the skynghls
in order 10 give it escape. Being in the middle OF
the room, he had just raised the long rOu LOT
that PURPOSE when the first explosion occurred,
the gas having apparently caught from t'ie 20,
that was burning on the landing The explosion
Frustrated him. and he was covered with rag
ments of the glass roof which 1eu an ABOUT
but escaped serious injury ana ran a9 oHIo W
turn of the gas i,
To do this. however he had to go nearly the
whole length of the house and return, ana os
that time not only was the picture galery nnieI
with flames, but other explosions had occurrou'
setting fire to The new part OF the mouse ih sew
eral places Mr.. Bennett succeeded IN getting oul
those pictures which were IN the gallery nearest
the door hut could penetrate no further ana was
driven back by the famts, and considerably
burned on the hands in his efforts ,,
At first there was much anxiety about MISS
Marion Phelps who was not nCt ou sn in tbe e
iut She had gone Immediately TO send messen-
GERS TO Ilackensack for aid. The roads were ID
such condition from the recent storm however
thar il was found impossible TO get machine 10
the place in time to do any good 49,, .o..,,,
hooks and the lighter articles Of furniture were
saved Bv working with trans all night most mes G o,
the property was placed under shelter ana 70
safetv but so scattered that 1t VIII be dlnicult
for several DAYS TO ascertain precisely what has
been lost Jewsy ci value ins 81, a,Gs
pponnected with them were in a small safe, ana
are snpposed TO be uninjured, larger sale
was opened and many valuable P pbSTs wnS" a.
home and found refuge at the home OF Mrs. an
buren, Mr. Phelps was at Washington . eGt
reached Teaneck yesterday afternoon ABOUT S 90
Uannily no one was seriously injured, though one
Of the servants had narrow escape; ana IN NIP
ing to property one OF the y TaS b 5Us
s sne reenyered and resumed his efforts,