Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1890-02-06
TERRIBLY SAD.
Burning OF Secretary Tracy's Resi-
dence at Washington.
Death Of His wife and Daughter--Also tho
French Maid Il Government Circles
Thrown Into Gl0om-The secre-
tary Almost suHocated.

1 MAhNINbIoN, EtD. 81 ne HOuho Ol
benjamin +. Tracy, Secretary Of the
Navy, in President IIarrlson's Cabinet,
caught fire nt6:45 a. m. yesterday and was
completely demolished. The house was
a three-story and basement brick, sit
uated on street. between Connecticut
avenue and Seventeenth street and had
recently been extensively improved.
Persons passing the house at seven
o'clock this morning saw smoke issuing
from the front windows and gave the
alarm. The promises we're almost con-
cealed by a dense smoke which was
thickened by a heavy fog. Firemen
soon discovered that the house was all
ablaze inside and that the main stair
way was burnt, thus eating of commn-
nication with the sleeping apartments
on the second and third floors. A scene
OF the widest confusion ensued when II
was known that all the members OF the
family were in the house. The firemen
behaved like heroes and went through
fire and smoke searching for them in the
different apartments.
Mrs Wilmerding, the Secretary's
daughter, and Alice Wilmerding, thirteen
years old, his granddaughter, 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 see them. Mrs. Wilmerding
broke her left wrist and was severely
bruised. Her daughter was badly in
jured about the legs but broke no bones.
They both suffered severely from the
shock.
Chief Engineer Parish found his way
into Mrs. Tracy's bedroom. She was ly-
ing on her bed overcome by smoke. He
carried her 10 the window and with the
assistance Of others carried her almost
lifeless body down ladder and over to
the house Of Mrs. Rheim on Eighteenth
street She was then entirely uncon-
scious and died within few minutes.
She was not burned, but died from suf-
location.
Almost at the same time two more
bodies were taken from the burning
building. One was that Of the Secre-
tary's youngest daughter, Mary, the
other that Of her French maid.
Secretary Tracy himself had won
derful escape and is now lying in
somewhat precarious condition at the
house OF j. c. Bancroft Davis on II street,
near Eighteenth. lie was yercome in
his sleep by the smoke filled the
house, and was discovered in this condi-
ton. With considerable difficulty he
was removed to place near one of the
windows. Cries for ladder @ere quick
ly answered and many willing hands
were raised 20 assist him TO descend.
He was at once removed 10 a neghbor's |
house and was soon surrounded by ply |
sicians. including DR.. Wales and Ruth. |
lie was suffering frcm asphyxia.
The remains Of Mrs. and Miss Tracy |
lie in caskets in the center of |
the east room Of the White House. be-
meath the crystal chandeliers whose |
lights less than a week ago shone upon
them as they gaily greeted their numer-
ous friends at the last Presidential re-
ception.
With Mrs. Tracy and Miss Tracy and
Mrs Coppinger, Secretary Blaine's
daughter, all lying dead, Secretary
Tracy seriously III and his health per
impaired. Government circles
are shroudcd in sadness and gloom.
Shortly after noon President Harrison
returned from the bedside OF Secretary
Tracy. and reported him resting as com
as can be expected under the
About eleven o'clock
Mr.. Tracy recovered consciousness. and
asked President Harrison where Mrs.
4 ]
swer the question. Mr.. Tracy, evident
Iy feeling that her escape was almost
asked: as she dead9" Still
The President could not answer the ques-
ton OF his friend, and Mr.. Tracy appar-
entity realizing the truth from the Presi-
lent's hesitancy. at once swooned and re-
NAMED unconscious for half an hour
Recovering he asked for his daughters.
The President told the Secretary that
lis daughter Mary was dead, and again
Mr. Tracy swooncd.
DR.. Wales, who is one Of the physicians
n attendance on Secretary Tracy said
yesterday that the Secretary was getting
Ilong very well, and that the only
LANCER now TO be feared was that the
mol1e in his lungs would cause hron-
hits. The Secretary, he said, was
'earing up bravely in his great afiiiction.
lis great anxiety was in regard
o his wife and the first words
ttered by him on regaining con- ,
ciousness we're to urge them TO
ave her life. Save her, Save herr
e cried piteously and then relapsed !
nto a state Of inscnsibility. IL lasted a /
hort time only, however, and he again ,
allied ont 10 tho doctors 70 leave him i
nd save her. lie subsequently, inquired {
Dr his daughter and told the doctors r
hat she too must be saved. When he G
earned the sad news that his wife and /
aughter were dead, he stood it with a
Drtitude and soon after fell into a rest
sss sleep. Dr. Wales said that the Sec I
atary's body was still saturated with !
he smoke he had inhaled. but there was @
slow and steady improvement in his h
enoral symptoms. t