Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1890-02-08

once raised an alarm. The fire and po-
lice departments responded promptly.
The premises were almost concealed by
dense smoke thickened by .
heavy fog just lifting. 1t was soon
discovered that the house was ablaze
inside and that the main stairway
was burned, thus cutting off communi.
cation with the sleeping apartments on
the second and third floors. Several
streams of water were directed toward
the flames, and every effort was made
to check the fire and to rescue the in.
mates. A scene of the widest confusion
ensued when 1t was known that all the
members Of the family were in the
house. The flremen behaved like
heroes in the emergency and won't
through the fire and smoke in searching
the different apartments.
Mrs. Wilmerding, the Secretary's
daughter, and Miss Wilmerding forced
their way through the binding smoke
and jumped from the second-story win
dow. Ladders were raised, but in their
excitement they failed to SEQ them.
Mrs. Wilmerding broke her left wrist
and was severely bruised. Her dsugh-
ter was badly hurt about the lower
limbs, but no bones were broken, Both
suffered severely from the shock.
They were taken 10 tho residence of
DR.. Baxter, and restoratives applied.
While this sad scene was being en-
acted at the front of the house fromon
were engaged in the task. OF removing
other members OF the family from the
rear. Chief Engineer Parish made his
way into Mrs. Tracy's bedroom and found
her lying on hcr bed overcome by sufYoca-
ton. He carried her to the window, and
with the assistance Of others. carried her
almost lifeless body down ladder and
up the alley to the house of Mrs. Rhiem,
on Eighteenth street. Mrs. Tracy was
then entirely unconscious, and although
every effort known to medical science
was used it was impossible to save her
life She died within a few minutes
after her rescue. She was not burned,
Dut ulcu lEOLl ouuOtdIluH.
Almost at tho same time two more
bodies were taken from the burning
building. One was that of the Secre-
tary's daughter, Miss Marie, a young
lady about IA years of age, and the other
was that OF enc Of the servants. Both
bodies were burned to a crisp, and the
features we're unrecognizable. Miss
Tracy's body was distinguished from
the other only by the texture of what
remained Of her stockings The charred
corpses were taken to an undertaker's
establishment in the vicinity. Thither,
also. were brought the remains of Mrs.
Tracy.
Secretary Tracy himself had most
wondrous escape, and is now lying In
somewhat precarious condition az the
residence of Hon. J. C. Bancroft Davis
on II street near Eighteenth. Like all
the others, tho Secretary was overcome
In his sleep by the smoke which filed
tho house and rendered the inmates COM
pletely helpless. He was discovered in
this condition, and with considerable
difficulty was removed to place near
one of the windows Cries for ladder
were quickly answered, and many will
ing hands were raised to assist him to
the ground. He was at once removed
to neighhors house, and was soon'sur-
rounded by physicians. He was suf-
fering from asphyxia. The doctors
applied artificial means to induce respi-
ration and succeeded, after an hours
work, in restoring him to semi-con-
seriousness. 1t was then thought safe to
remove him to Judge Davis house. He
improved slowly from that time on, and
room regained consciousness, recogniz-
Ing the friends who called to inquire in
regard to his condition. Among the
first Of these were the President the
Vice-P President and several members of
the Cabinet.
The full extent of his terrible afilic-
tion is withheld from him for tho pres
ent. His first inquiry upon recovering
consciousness was in regard to the safe
ty Of his family. lie is gradually gain
ing in strength. His friends are very
sanguine of his complete recovery.
The house was completely gutted by
the fire. The walls are standing, but
the interior presents a picture OF ruin
and desolation. The residence OF Judge
w. s. Cox, Of the District Supreme
Court, was also badly damaged by water.
FURTHER DETAILS.
As the flames ragged within the man
sion the front door was opened and two
male servants were seen to emerge ana
run for their lives. Figures robed in
white then appeared at tho win.
dows. Secretary and Mrs. Tracy
occupied the back room In the
second story. Mrs. Tracy. 1t Is
thought, was first awakened by the
suffocating smoke. Secretary Tracy
was at the time unconscious, and Mrs.
Tracy, with heroic devotion, attempted
to drag the inanimate body of tho Sec
rotary to the window. In this she
partially succeeded. HALF daEed and
blinded By the smoke she opened
che window, and, iust - the hremsn
we're putting up-a ladder to rescue her
she leaped 10 the sidewalk Her body
s,aa iusua uasAiatsiv piskaA IN 0hn had |