The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-02-07
CAUSE OF THE TRACY FIRE.
The Fire Chief and Marshal Attribute
it to q Lamp,

The Fire Chief and Marshal Attribute
it to g. Lamp.
WASHING TON, Feb. Gas a result of the
investigation into the cause of the fire at
Secretary Tracy's house by Fire Marshal
Drew and Fire Chief Harris, these officers
have come to the conclusion that the fire
was caused by large double-burner duplex
Kerosene lamp, which occupied a table in a
recess formed by the bay window in the
library. This recess was filed with cur
talns and silken hangings, and the walls
OF the room were paneed inE9oiled
woods. Fragments Of, the lamp were found
scattered around the table on which 1t
stood, and it was found in the window that
the greatest volume Of fame poured from.
There is no direct evidence, but the theory
Is that this lamp, whicl was lighted every
night, was only turned low and not ex-
tlngulshed the night before the fire, and
that in slow burning it generated gas in
the bowl of the lamp and exploded it in the
morning.
TRACY TO BE TAKEN AWAY.
The President is planning to take Secre-
tary Tracy away for few days. rest in the
Aueghanies, near Deer Park, either Satur-
day or Monday. The secretary, who is re-
covering rapidly, is anxious to get to work
again as soon as possible by way of dulllng
the edge of his sorrow. and SO will stay
away from his desk not more than O week
longer. If Mrs. Wilmerding continues to
improve she may be able to go with her
father, but this seems doubtful.
TAKEN TO MRS. wILMERDING.
This afternoon the President took Secre-
tary Tracy and his son Frank in his car
rlage to the residence of Lieut.. r. r.
Mason, where they had long
and most affecting interview with Mrs.
WIDENING and her daughter, Alice, whom
tue secretary had not seen before since he
said good night last Sunday night. They
went over the whole story of the tradgedy
down to the funeral of yesterday. They
all gave way to their grief, but the
Secretary finally had to check his to com
fort his children. Mrs. Wilmerding has
Deen very nervous since she was twice run
away with by spirited horses several years
ago, and the strain and excitement of this
week has made her very hysterical. She is
better though, and SO is her daughter Alice.
All official entertainments have been aban-
doned until after Lent
INQUIRY OF THE coRoNER's JURY.
The coroners jury investigating the cause
of the death Of Josephine MOrel, Mrs.
Tracy's waiting maid, tonight rendered
verdict that the cause of the fire is to the
jury unknown, and that the loss OF life at
the fire was largely due to its exceptionally
rapid spread.
Each of the jurors also signed the follow
ing statement:
The jury regard It but Just and proper TO
commend all the officers, and men Of both the
fire and police departments for their bravery
and efficiency on this occasion, and espec ally
police officer Cattell, Chief Parish and Fireman
Howard Wright, TO whom we believe Secretary
Tracy owes his life We desire in this
connection to call the attention OF the
authorities to the inadequate equipment
OF the fire department OF the
District OF Columbia TO suggest that ell modern
appliances for saving lives at fires should bs i'm
mediately furnished and that the number Of
men TO each company, as well as the number Of
companies. should be increased, for the reason
that when an extensive fire occurs, or two fires
at the same time, the force is entirely too small.