New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-04-05
FLAMES AT TRAvERs IsbAND-.MEMBERs OF
THE NETWORK ATHLETTo CLUB REJOICE

FLAMES AT TRAyERs IsLAND-.MEMBERs OF
THE NEW YORK ATHLETIC CLUB REJOICE
THAT THE OLD OAK ESCAPED.
when Thomas Toby, tho New-York Athlete Clubs
superintendent at Trayers Island. who occupied apart
Iuents I'm the old Hunter house, opened the back door
10 60 out at O'Clock yesterday morning no was lit
orally slapped in tho face by sheet OF flame that
burst through tho open door, mpeiled by the strong
northeast wind Mr. Toby was so surprised that Tor
some time afterward he was unaware tnat MS eye
brows, lashes and beard had been dnged away as
cleanIy as n removed with razor. Mr.. Toby sum-
moned the dozen or more laborers employed 10 put the
grounds in readiness for the spring meeting OF the
club and set them at work removing the contents Oh
the building Everything was saved from the base
ment and first floor. including kitchen, dnng'room
and recepton-room furniture, but BY the nme ms
was accomplished almost the entire exterior OF the
house was on fire. and the men had to run for their
lives
The fire was seen at New-Rochelle and three engines
vrcrs sont TO the scene Tho 1remen. finding there
was not enough water to save the house, turneu
their attention to saving tho giant OAK on the isW'
whose widespreadng branches stretched out over tne
house with downward swoop, wonderfully sugseeNYo
OF the idea that the was protesting the od nonO
stead. Tho fremen knew that the club men ioVen
~. noha old tree and they succeeded In saving IT,
but the house burned down. Tho loss on inc house
and its contents Is about $4,000. which Is fuhy
covered by insurance.
Canta,n W g. Schuyler, vice-president Of the cluo,
wont 20 tho island yesterday, returning to the cluO
house, No l04 west Fhty-hfth-st., last evening"
The nav clubhouse. which will BIO ready for occupancy
IN Nav he said, was not damaged, boing some ooo
teet from the burned building President COX s%o
that personally he was glad the house had gone inseaa
"a tho oak Many q good story was tolc' many
a fragrant Havana burned 10 ashes and many 10
trosbine LIQUID QuaHed underneath the shadoWing
branches Of the old tree last summer ana there was
happiness last night that the pride of tho Island sun
aood President Cox said that the fire was pFooaoy
inceutiary as it had originated on tho outside Oh une
bpildinr IN the rear where there was nothing that
could In any way start blaze year ago large
stahle in the rear OF the Potter house, adjoining the
new Climb house was burned I'm similar way There Is
no clew 10 the supposed ncendary, and the members
Of tho club know Of no reason why arson Shouio De
adopsed BIZ any one a. a measure Of vengeance.
The old house was built In 1919, and various al
djtons had been made at intervals since then. inc
original portion Of the structure contained Wade oo
fashioned hall On the FIRST floor was an antique hre
MACE big enough 10 roast In over which was an
Insoriution aWe bcfali hearth and hail. Tho house
vns built by Temple Emmett, descendant OF Robert
Emmett the Irish patriot, and the Island was LOT
lopz tima known as Emmett Island. II was SOLD 70
Richard Sheffield, boat builder, who N turn usposed
Of n 10 John Hunter, Mr.. Hunter building Two new
wings and modernzod the structure. Arthur huhter;
the amateur seepleehase and erossoounny riaer ana
after wtch tho island sold 10 tho New-forR Atm
letlc Club.