The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-02-04
WASHINGTON MOURNING
TERRIBLE TRAGEDY YESTERDAY
ATTHE CAPITAL.
The Home of secrotdry Tracy B"rhed--
His WIFE Killed. and His Daughter and
Servant Girl Sunocated-The Secretary
prosfreted Funeral prenoratfona

WASHINGTON. d. {, February 3. -
Mrs Tracy, wife Of Secretary Tracy; Miss
Tracy, his youngest daughter, and jose
phinc, French maid, as a result Of fire in
Secretary Tracy's house this morning, now
lie dead. Secretary Tracy, when rescued,
was in a s,upo-, suffering from sadoca;i0n,
Mrs. Wnmerding, the eldest daughter Of
Secretary Tracy was in a semi-unc0h,ciJus
condition, suffering from a sprained wrist
and soreness. Miss Alice Wilmerding,
thirteen years Of age. Secretary Tracy's
granddaughter. Is suffering from nervous
prostration and shock.
rnR yfpE rrscos ERpp.
II was about T o'clock tAs morning wien
flames were seen issuing from the windows
and roof of Secretary Irscy's handsome
residence. No. 1864 / street. Northwest. The
neighbOrhOOd had not yet awakened. and
all around WAS STILL Within the residence
not q sound was heard except the cracking
OF the iiaihee, as With greet tongues OF lire
they came ont OF The windows on The top
/ i00r. soon the front door Of the mansion
was opened and two male servants were
seen 10 emerge and run for their lives. Fig
ures robod IN white then appeared at the
windows. The fire gained headway rapidly.
and although The fire department responded
/ promptly. the residence was enYelpEed in
ilames when they arrived.
Secretary and Mrs. Tracy occupied the
back room on the second story. Mrs Tracy,
[ il is thought, was hrsf awakened bE the
suhOcatlng smoke. Secretary Tracy was az
the time unconscious. and Mrs. Tracy, With
heroic devotion, attempted 30 drag the body
of the secretary 10 the window. In this she
partially succeeded.
LEApED TO THE GROUND.
Half dazed and blinded by the smoke, slie
opened the window, and iust rs the iire-
men we're putting ~ a ladder 10 res
cue her. she leapcd 10 the ground.
/ Her body WAS picked mp with severe inter-
nal injuries and q broken leg. She was
taken to ncishboring house, and without
recovering consciousness. died within an
I hour The laddci which would have saved
I Mrs. Tracy's life had she waited but a brief
moment before leaping 90 the ground. was
soon placed under the window, and strong
hands lifted tbe body Of Secretary Irac,
through il and carried him 10 the side
walk. The Secretary was at first thought
10 be dead, but il was discovered
that a small spark OF life yet remained.
/ lie was removed tO the residence Of Mr.
/ Bancroft Davis. near bY. and at II o'clock
was reported as improving. though az that
| time be had not gained consciousness, and
was, of course. unaware Of the death Of his
wife and daughter. Miss Tracy. the Secre-
tary's unmarried daughter, occupied the
third story front room. and met a fate that
was terrible 70 behold.
TERRIBLE SCENE.
ff,t .-,.... ff.. ,....fr L.. .,..,, t tl,, ...ir
| dow in the light that ilichered in between
/ the binding smoke aud flames, clad in a
white robe, her hands in the attitude Of
prayer, and her face upliited 20 heaven.
/ The flames gradually hemmed her in, and
I she finally sank 90 the lOOr. only 10 De re-
/ cOgnizcd again by her charred remains. A
| French maid. Josephine. met similar fate
/ i'm an adjoining room, where hcr charred
and blackened remains were found Mrs.
/ Wilmcrding, Secretary Tracy's married
/ daughter ud her daug Ter, Miss
/ Alice, occupied the sec I'D story
! front on the same floor 3 ith Sec
retary and Mrs. Tracy. Both size and
| her daughter jumped from the windows 20
/ the grass terrace below, and while the shock
10 both was severe neither received, so far,
as is now apparent any serious injury.
| Mrs. Wimerding had her right wrist badly
/ spraned. She is lying historical, and in "a
| half daZed condition, but Is rapidly imprOy-
| ing under treatment. Miss Alice is suffer
/ ing from shock. The bodies Of Mrs. Tracy
and Miss Tracy have been removed 10 the
residence Of Attorney General Miller. Mrs.
and Miss Wlmerding are at DR.. Baxter's.
but will during the day be taken to the resi-
dence of Senator Hale. Secretary Tracy
remains at Mr.. Bancroft Davis home.
GREAT CROWDS cONGREGATED.
Around all these residences as soon as
the sad news spread, great crowds congre
gated. and have remained during the day
Carriages and messengers were stopping al
the doors mOmentarlg. With Mrs. Tracy
aud Miss Tracy. and Mrs. Colonel Coppin
ger. Secretary Blaine's daughter, all lyinl
dead Secretary Tracy seriously III, ana hl'
health permanently impaired, govern
mental circles to-day are enshrouded IN sad
ness and gloom.
PRESIDENT HARRISON sENDS ASSISTANCE
President Harrison. as soon as be heard
Of the calamity. sent assistance from th,
Executive mansion 10 aid the bereaNc,
family. and followed himself 10 enquir'
what assistance bee could render. The
members Of the Cabinet. with whom >ecre
tary Tracy was very popular, were among
beyond measure at the calamity, and PLACED
their respective houses 40 the disposal %
the afflicted family.
SECRETARY TRACY BETTER.
Secretary Tracy had reganed conscious
ness an hour or so after be was taken Il
the house OF Mr. Davis, and was then giNei
quieting Opiatc, under the influence o
which he slept.
INQUIRIES FOR HIS WIFE.
About u O'Clock Mr. Tracy asked Presi
dent Harrison where Mrs. Tracy was. Tn
President could not answer the question
Mr. Tracy, evidently feeling that her escap
was almost impossible. asked; "ls sh
) deadsp still the President could not an
swer the question Of his friend, and MI
Tracy. apparently realizing the truth iron
the Presidents hesitancy, at once swOOne
and remained unconscious for half an hour
Recovering, he asked for his daughters. tn
? President told the Secretary that his daugi
te- Mary was dead, and again Mr.. Irac
swOOned.
DINNER INVITATIONS WITHDRAWN.
President Harrison this afternoon, in yie'
Of the terrible aillicii0n that has come
Secretary Tracy, recalled all invitations |
the dinner in honor OF the Justices or IN
. / supreme court OF the uiitu HlAtI1s WIN
was 10 have taken place at the ENecutiF
mansion on Thursday OF this week.
THE FUNERAL PROM THE WHITE HoUsl
The remains Of Mrs. seer tary Tracy an
} those Of her daughter, Miss Mary Tracy
E will be conveyed TO the Executive Manslo
tonight. and placed in the East room, Wher
10 they will remain until the funeral arFang'
ments shall have been completed. IL
r quite probable that the funeral VIII tax
r place from the Executive Mansion. Genel
al Catlin. OF Brooklyn, y. y, the brother
e Mrs Tracy. who viii decide about the iui
+ eral arrangements, is expected u arrN
a here from Brooklyn tonight.
Secretary Tracy is still at the residence
+. Bancroft Davis and will probably renal
a there until tomorrow. President llarriso
b said 10 the United Press representative th
afternoon. thar he thought IN >ecretar
$ lracy's present depressed ana prO>trate
[ con nlition. IL woul bee imprudent 10 mo'
70 him 10 the Executive Mansion tonight, b.
! that be thought 10y morning he couid
5 moved with safety. The secretary Is sehe
:. ing from the inhalation Of smoke ana D.
+ lungs, in consequence. are extremely Nea
The calamity that overwhelmed the seer
Z tary. has caused profound grief throusho'
e the country and many telegrams OIL co
dolanre have bqpu received OY the lfc-lucI