Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-02-07
THE TRACY HORROR.
THE AWFUL FiRE IN the HOMErOF
THE SECRETARY OF THe NAVY.
Mrs. Tracy suffocated and Miss Tracy and
a Maid Burned to Death Mrs. Will
merding and Daughter Jump for
Their Lives-Sscretary Tracy
Recovering.

WASHINGTON Feb. "a terrible calam
ity visited the household of Secretary Tracy
on street this morning whereby three per-
sons lost their lives aud three others were
badly injured Smoke was noticed issuing
from the front windows by passers-by about
Z O'Clock a. IN. An alarm was imlned lately
rung in. The house was all ablazo insids
and the main stairway was burned, cutting
Off communication with the sleeping apart
ments on the second and third floors. The
firemen worked heroically and went through
fire and smoke IN search OF members Of the
family in different apartments. Mrs.
Wilmerding, the secretary's daughter, and
Miss Wimerdug forced their way through
the binding smoke and jumped from tho
second story window. Ladders were raised
for them but in the excitement they failed
to see them. Mrs. Wilmerding broke her
loft wrist and was otherwise severely in
jured. Her daughter was badly injured
about her lower limbs but broke no bones.
Chief Engineer Parish found Mira Tracy
lying ON her bed overcome by sufRocstion.
She was removed to house close by where
every effort was used TO restore her to cons
ciousness but it was impossible 20 save
life, and she died i'll a fow minutes. She
was not burned, but died from sufocation.
Almost at the same time two more bodies
were taken from the burning building, one,
that of the Secratarys daughter, Maria
aged il, and the other one of the servants.
Both bodies were burned to a crisp and,
the charred remains were taken to an Under
takers establishment where they were
! joined soon after by the remains Of Mrs
| Tracy
Secretary Tracy had most wondrous
| escape. Like all the others he was over
come in his sleep by the smoke which flled
the house and rendered him completely
! helpless lie was discovered in this condi-
tion and with considerable difficulty was re-
moved TO place near one Of the windows.
y ladder was quickly raised and be was
carried to q neighbor's house, suffering
from asphyxia The doctors applied arti-
| fetal means to induce respiration and sue
! Ceeded after an hours work i'll restoring
| him to semi-consciou5ness. He improved
slowly and is gradually gaining strength.
The house was completely gutted. The
walls are standing bat the interior presents
a picture of ruin and desolation. The
residence of Judge Cox adjoining was badly
damaged BY water
The Funeral.
! WASHINGTON, Feb. 4.-The funeral of
Mrs. aad Miss Tracy tool, place from ths
east ROOM of the White House to-day, Tho
services Fhich wers of the most impressive
character were attended by President and
Mrs Harrison. vica.President and Mrs
| Norton the members of the cabinet, many
members of the diplomatic corps, senators,
representatives prominent men of the army
and navy, and many others. Thu bodies
were placed IN vault IN Rocl: Creek ceme-
terry, just beyond the soldiers home, to await
Secretary Tracy'S determination III regard
to their permanent resting place.