Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1890-02-04


framework adjoining the mantel was where
the fire started, and it, no doubt, burned
some time before it was discovered. The
furnace is IN the basement, directly beneath
where the fire started, and the pipes leading
TO the upper stories pass in the rear Of the
woodwork OF the mantel. The firemen gem
orally think that the woodwork caught IRE
from the overheated pipes.
He Hemrs- the News.
Another account OF the scene when Secre-
tary Tracy revived says: 1T was nearly 10
O'Clock when the secretary again awoke,
conscious Of his surroundihgs The president
stood at the bedside, his hand claspedin that
Of the secretary. The secretary besought
the president to say what had become OF his
wife, daughters and grandchild. The presi-
dent, with the tears streaming down his
cheeks evasively replied that Mrs and Miss
Wiimerding were safe. Again the secretary
relapsed into Inconsistencies, to awake an
hour later to ask OF the president, Is she
deadf Then the president replied, with in
tense emotion: Mary is dead The secre-
tary swooned A half hour later he awoke
and exclaimed: Oh / wish were dead; j
have nothing to live for nowr The president
uttered what comforting words he could,
and again the secretary sank into a slum-
ber.n
The President Overcome.
During his tltful sleep the secretary NUT
tered disjointed sentences, the essence Of
which was, that IL his wife had not tried to
save bis life she would not have sacrificed
her own. Not dry eye was to be seen
among the anxious watchers at the bedside,
and the president was finally so overcome
that ae was compelled TO return to the White
HOUSE lest he should give way further to his
feelings.
All the afternoon the secretary improved
in his condition, his pulse growing stronger
and more regular and his mind clearer.
Now and then he would start and exclaim:
II can't breathe; Iknow Pm dying" Later
he talked more intelligently with ex-Surgeon
Wales Of the catastrophe, and exhibited the
most remarkable fortitude, although his an
guish was intense.
MRS. Tracy's Last Words.
Mrs Mckee gives a touching account OF
the presidents visit to Mrs. Tracy just be-
fore the latter's death He found her lying
upon low couch in the little frame dwell
ling to which she had been carried. Mrs,
Tracy, though suffering intensely, recog-
nized she president at once, whispered IA few
farewell messages TO her husband, ber
with her hand elapsed in that.of the presi-
dent, passed quietly away.
Mrs. Wilmerding and her daughter are
resting comfortably at the residence OF
Lieut. Mason. Miss Wilmerding is well
enough TO be in constant attendance upon
her mother.
The Dead Girls Boudoir.
The pretty boudoir of Miss Mary Tracy,
-. NJ fs.I
pathetic picture. Over the tasteful art
square was scattered bric-a-brac broken in
pieces. Her favorite books were burned
and covered with dirt and scattered ali
about by the stream Of water that came too
late to save her young life. But the most
pathetic thing of all were the dead pets. She
was very fond of pets They will not miss
her, however, for they, too, passed away
when she did At the foot of the bed was
the poodle dog, which she had often petted.
Around its neck was blue ribbon tied by
her hands. Two canaries that used TO awaken
her from her dreams in the morning lay In
the bottom Of their cage, and as a police
man passed the door and stopped to look in
he drew the sleeve Of his coat over his eyes
and hurried down stairs.
The house was completely gutted and the
furniture is a total loss It's value is esti
mated at $1,000 The place was magnif
Gently furnished, all Of the furniture being
new.
The New York Trip Abandoned.
Owing to the calamity which has befaller
the family Of the secretary of the navy, the
president and members Of the cabinet aban-
/ doned their intended visit to New York &C
take part in the exercises which have been
arranged incident TO the judicial centennia
which is TO be celebrated in that city today
The senate adjourne6out Of respect for the
secretary and his bereavement was alluded
TO in the house. Letters and kilograms ex
tending sympathy are pouring in from
everywhere.
sketches OF the Deceased.
Mrs. Tracy was the sister of Gen Isaac s.
/ Catlin, the distinguished Brooklyn lawyer
and her maiden name was belinda +. Cat
lin. She was woman Of pleasing appear.
I