The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-02-19
SECRETARY TRACY.

dows and roof OF Secretary Tracy's hand.
some residence, 1884 street, Washington
The neighborhood had not yet awakened,
and all around was still. Within the resi-
dence not a sound was heard except the
cracking of the flames, as with great tongues
Of fire they came out of the windows on the
top floor.
opened and two male servants were seen to
emerge and run for their lives Figures
robed in white then appeared at the win.
dows.
The fire gained headway rapidly, and, al.
though the Fire Department responded
promptly, the residence was enveloped in
flames when they arrived.
Secretary and Mrs. Tracy, occupied the
back room on the second foo. Mrs. Tracy,
it is thought, was first awakened by the sui.
locating smoke.
Secretary Tracy was at the time uncon-
scious. and Mrs. Tracy with heroic devotion,
attempted to drag the inanimate body Of the
TALLY succeeded. Half dazed and blinded by
the smoke she opened the window, and just
as the firemen were putting up ladder to
rescue her she leaped to the sidewalk. Her
body was picked up with severe internal in.
juries and broken leg. She was taken to q
neighboring house and, without recovering
consciousness, died within an hour.
The ladder, which would have saved Mrs.
Tracy's life had she waited but brief mo:
ment before leaping to the sidewalk. wa'
soon placed under the window and strong
hands lifted the body of Secretary Tracy
through it and carried him to the sidewalk.
The Secretary was at first thought to By
dead, but it was discovered that a small spark
of life yet remained. He was removed to the
residence Of Mr.. Bancroft Davis near by, anG
at II o'clock was reported as improving,
though at that time he had not gained con
sciousness, and was of course, unaware Of the
death Of his wife and daughter.
Miss Tracy, the Secretary's unmarried
daughter, occupied the third story front room,
and met fate that was terrible to behold.
dow in the light that fickered in between tht
binding smoke and flames. clad in whit,
robe, her hands in the attitude of prayer, ant
her face uplifted to Heaven.
The flames gradually hemmed her in, and
she finally sank to the floor only to be recog-
nized again by her charred remains.
A French maid, Josephine, met a similar
fate in an adjoining room, where her
charred and blackened remains were found.
Mrs. Wilmerding and her daughter, Mis-.
Alice, occupied the second story front room
Tracy. Both she and her daughter jumped
from the windows to the grass terrace be
low, and while the shock to both was severe,
neither received, so far as is now apparent,
any serious injury.
Mrs. Wilmerding had her right wrist badly
sprained Miss Alice suffered from shock.
The bodies Of Mrs. Tracy and Miss Tracy
were removed to the residence of Attorney
General Miller. Mrs. and Miss Wilmerdina
were taken to DR.. Baxter's, but were after.
ward removed to the house of Senator Hale
Around all these houses great crowds con.
gregated as soon as the sad news spread, and
remained during the day. Carriages and
messengers stopped at the doors momentart
ly.
With Mrs. Tracy and Miss Tracy, and
Mrs. Coppinger, Secretary Blaines daugh.
ter, all lying dead, Secretary Tracy seriously
i'll and his health permanently impaired,
Governmental circles were enshrouded in sad
ness and gloom.
President Harrison as soon as he heard OF
the calamity, sent assistance from the Execu-
tive Mansion to aid the bereaved family, and
followed himself to inquire what assistance
he could render.
The members of the Cabinet, with whom
Secretary Tracy was very popular, were
among the first to call. They were all
shocked beyond measure at the calamity, and
placed their respective houses at the disposal
of the afflicted family.
Secretary Tracy regained consciousness an
hour or so after he was taken to the house OF
Mr. Davis, and a quieting opiate was then
sGiven him, under the influence of which he
fell asleep.
The President and Private Secretary Hal
ford remained at the house with Secretary
Tracy until late in the afternoon. The Presi.
dent suggested that the Secretary be re-
moved to the White House, but the physi-
clans advised against any disturbance fol
forty-eight hours. They thought he would
be strong enough for removal by that time
The President also suggested that the bodies
of Mrs. Tracy and Miss Tracy be taken tc
the White House, and that the funeral take
place from there. The removal was made in
the afternoon.