Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1890-02-21

SECRETARY TRACY.
It was about z o'clock in the morning
when flames were seen isuing from the win
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 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.
Soon the front door of the mansion was
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 Roadway rapidly, and, al
though the Fire Department responded
promptly, the residence was enveIOped In
flames when they arrived.
Secretary and Mrs. Tracy occupied the
back room on the second floor. Mrs. Tracy,
it is thought, was first awakened by the sui
locating smoke.
scious and Mrs Tracy, with heroic devotion,
attempted to drag the inanimate body Of the
Secretary to the window. In this she par
TALLY succeeded. Half dazed and blinded by
the smoke she opened the window and just
as the fremen were putting uD a 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
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, was
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 be
dead but it was discovered that small spark
of life yet remained. He was removed to the
residence of Mr.. Bancroft Davis, near by. and
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.
The young lady could be seen al the win.
dow in the light that fickered in between the
binding smoke and flames, clad in white
robe her hands in the attitude of prayer, anC
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 similar
fate in an adjoining room, where her
charred and blackened remains were found.
Mrs. Wilmerding and her daughter, Miss
Alice, occupied the second story front room
on the same floor with Secretary and Mrs
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 Wil1nerdine
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 momentari-
ly.
With Mrs. Tracy and Miss Tracy, and
Mrs COppinger, Secretary Blaine's 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 vey popular, were
among the first to call. They were al
shocked beyond measure at the calamity, and
placed their respective houses ct the dispose
of the afflicted family
= Secretary Tracy regained consciousness ar
hour or so after he was taken to the house OF
Mr.. Davis, and a quieting opiate was Their
given 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 he taken Il
the White House, and that the funeral take
place from there. The removal was made il
the afternoon.