Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1890-02-06
THE NATION M0URNS.
SYMPATHY SHOWN THE SECRETARY
IN HIS AFFLlCTlON.

Particulars of the Fire-SIrs. Tracy's Ef-
tine Dead to Lie in State in the East
Acknowledgements Can Not Vote
Smith Given His Seat in Congress.
WASHINGTON, Feb 4.-The terrible ca
lamity that has fallen on Secretary
Tracy is the one absorbing topic of con-
versation. Society has paused in its pur-
suit after pleasure and stands appalled,
at incidents of yesterday, and with
bated breath and shudder, talk over the
terrible details. The sympathies of the
city and nation is aroused. and let
tiers and kilograms of coincidence are
pouring in, notwithstanding the fact
there is no member of the family left
able to receive or read them until health
is restored to the secretary and his
daughter.
The fire seems to have started from
the furnace in the secretary's house, or
that of Judge Cox's adjoining, and both
were soon ablaze. 1t spread rapidly,
and the sleeping inmates were quickly
rendered unconscious.
The fire was discovered by passer by
on the street, who Immediately notl-
fed the engine house block away. 1t
had so far progressed, however, that
the entire house seemed to be ablaze
when the department arrived. Police
Officer Cattell, who was near, rushed
into the house and found Mrs. Tracy
trying to drag her unconscious husband
to window to save him. The flames
were close about them. He seized the
form of Secretary Tracy and hurried
him out. Meantime Mrs. Tracy, almost
asphyxiated,
Leaped from a Window
and, falling upon the pavement, received
such injuries that she soon died. The
body of Miss Tracy was found in the
hall. She had evidently been overcome
by the heat and smoke while attempting
to escape. Mrs. Wilmerding, daughter
of the secretary, leaped from window
with her child, and both broke leg,
but are not fatally burned.
President Harrison announced that in
view of the terrible affiiction which has
come to Secretary Tracy that they had
recalled all invitations to the dinner in
honor of the justices of the supreme
court of the United States. which was to
have taken place at the executive
mansion on Thursday of this week.
viii Lay i'm State.
The remains of Mrs Secretary Tracy
and those of her daughter, Mary, were
conveyed to the executive mansion last
night and placed in the east room, where
they will remain until the funeral ar
rangements will have been completed.
1t is quite probable that the funeral will
take place from the executive mansion.
Gen. Catlin, of Brooklyn, the brother OF
Mrs. Tracy, who will decide about the
funeral arrangements, arrived here last
night.
Secretary Tracy is still at the residence
of Bancroft Davis and will probably re-
main there until to-day. President Har-
rison said to the United Press representa-
tive that he thought in Secretary Tracy
present depressed and Frustrated condi-
ton, it would be imprudent to remove
him to the executive mansion at present,
The secretary Is suffering from the in
haIation of smoke, and his lungs in con-
sequence, are extremely weak.
The Family.
Mrs. Benjamin F. Tracy, the wife OF
Secretary of the Navy Tracy, was in the
Goth year of her age. Gen. Tracy, who
was born and brought up in Oswego, N.
Y, married Miss Catlin in 1854. They
resided in that place until 1865, when
they moved to Brooklyn, where Aeir
home has since been. Three children
have blessed their union. Two are
daughters, and the other son. Mrs.
Emma L. Wilmerding, the eldest daugh-
ter, is a widow, with one child. Mrs.
Wilmerding has resided with her family
since her husbands death and went
with them to Washington. Frank b.
Tracy, the only son. favors his father in
appearance and in his business ability.
He is 30 years old, and unmarried. He
now lives at home, and only spends in
Washington what time he can spare
from his fathers business. Miss Mary
Tracy, the unmarried daughter, one of
the victims of the disaster. was like her
mother in appearance. She was very
amiable, and had hosts of friends,