The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1890-02-04
BLAINE COND0LES WITH HIM.
The Full Particulars Of the Dis.
aSter which has Cast u Gloom
Over Administration Cir.
cles in Washington.
The Condition Of tho Sccrctary's Daugll.
terand Granddaughter, who Leapcd
from the Windows-Tho Story
Of the ReSclcs by the Fire.
meI..The French Maids
Awful Death.

NAsltSGToN, u. ", teO. "a terfl-
rible calamity visited the household Of
Secretary Tracy this morning, by which
three persons lost their lives and three
others were badly injured. The house
is three story aud basement brick, sit
uated on street, between Connecticut
avenue and Seventeenth street, aud has
recently undergone extensive improve
ments. Persons passing the house at I
o'clock this morning saw smoke issuing
from the front windows and at once
raised an alarm Of fire. The fire and
police departments responded promptly.
The premises were almost concealed by
dense smoke which was thickened by a
heavy fog which was just lifting. 1t was
soon discovered that the house was
ablaze inside and that the main stairway
was burnt, thus cutting Off communica-
ton with the sleeping apartments on
the second and third floors. Several
streams OF water were played on 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 it was known that all the
members OF the family were in the
house. The tiremen behaved like he
roes in the emergency and went through
tho fire and smoke in searching for
them in 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 window front.
Ladders were raised for them, but in
their excitement they failed to sec them.
Mrs. Wilmerding broke her left wrist
and was severely bruised. Her daugh-
ter was severely injured about the lower
limbs, but broke no bones. They both
suffered severely from the shock. DR..
Baxter near by administered restora.
tives.
Mrs. TRACY FOUND sUFFoCATED.
In front OF the house the iiremen were
engaged in the task Of removing other
members Of the family. From the rear
Chief Engineer Parish found his way
into Mrs. Tracy's bedroom and found he,
lying on the bed overcome by sufEoc,.
ton. He carried her to the window, and
with the assistance OF others carried her
almost lifeless body down a ladder and
up an alley and to the house OF Mrs
Rheems', Eighteenth street. She was then
entirely unconscious, and although every
effort known 10 medical science was used
it WINS impossible to save her life. She
died within few minutes after hel
rescue. She was not burned, but died
from sutiocation. Almost at the same
time two more bodies were taken from
the burning building. One was that oil
the Secretary's daughter, Miss Marry, n
young lady about 20 years OF aye, and
the other was that OF one OF the servants
Both bodies were burned to n crisp and
were unacceptable by their features
Miss Tracy's body was distinguished from
the other only by the superior texture o
what remained OF her stockings. The
charred remains were taken to an under.
takers establishment in the vicinity
where they were joined soon after by
the remains OF Mrs. Tracy.
TIE sECEErAEY's ESCAPE.
Secretary Tracy himself had almost q
wondrous escape, andis now lying in {
somewhat precarious condition at tho
residence OF John G. Bancroft Davis or
II street, near Eighteenth street. Like
all the others he was overcome in hi!
sleep by tho smoke which filled the
house aud rendered him completely
helpless. He was discovered in thi!
condition, and with considerable diff
Guilty was removed TO place near one o
the windows. Cries for ladder were
quickly answered and many willin,
hands were raised 10 assist him to tn,
ground. He was at once removed TO {
neighbor's house and was soon sur
rounded by physicians, including Doc
tors Wales and Ruth. He was suiierin
from asphyxia. The doctors applied ar
tifcial means to induce respiration an,
succeeded after an hours work in re
storing him 10 semi.conscousness. Itwa
then thought safe to remove hi1
to Judge Davis house. He i'm
proved slowly from that tim
on, and soon regained consciousness
recognizing the friends who calle
to inquire in regard to his condition
Among the first OF these were the Pre-!
| ident, the Vice President and sewers
members Of the Cabinet. The full c,
tent OF his terrible ailliction is Withheld
. from him for the present. His first il
quiry upon recovering CONSCIOUSNESS
/ was in regard 10 the safety OF his famil.
He ls gradually gaining in strength
His friends are very sauguine of b
complete recovery. The house was cor
1 plctcly gutted by the fire. The wal
, are standing but the interior presents
} picture Of ruin and: desolation. TT
residence Of Judge W. S. Cox, OF Il
z 2. .