Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-11-26
BUT A MASS or EriNs.
Cornelius vandcrbins Costly Re.sdevrs =
Newport Burned


The breakers. the elegant and costly sum-
mer residence ~ Cornelius Vanderbilt near
Newport. is a mass Of srnoldering ruins. Black
sned and tEuHsli,g walls OF brick and heaps cs
ashes are all that now remain Of the pala,i,l
villa which for years has been numbered among
Newports largest and finest residences. The
fire aiso DESTROYED al the valuable content. Of
the villa, including furniture. bric-a -br.c.
wearing apparel and rare ard costly articles Of
every description.
The FIRE was discovered by Mr.. yanderbilt
himse u about 4;So pm. the smoke heins seen
In the main hall A telephone message was sent
20 the city and still alarm WIS sent in. Mr.
Vanderbilt thinking at that moment that the
hire was slight and easily within control A
Few minutes sufioed 20 show this to be a se-i-
ors mistake. and within two hours the buila-
Ing and contents were totally DESTROYED.
The villa YVES located ut Ochre Point uearlv
one and one-half miles from the nearest irs
station Before an alarm could he sent out ana
the apparatus reach the scene the Dire was be-
yond control, and all that could he done was "a
stay rather than check the work OF dcst-pciicn
A general alarm summoned tho entire depar,-
ment which was unable 60 work TO adynntnr.
This WIS partly dne 20 the small number 81 ~
drants IN that section Of the city. where tho
houses occupy largr grounds and are scattered
about at considerable distance Ii uns also
partly due 20 a lack Of sufficient water pressure
owing 10 break in the mains ihe water worksas
had reduced the pressure oue-half within Two
hours previous 10 the breaking out of the n-.
However, IL Is VERY probahle THAI notbiox
could have saved the house. the fire having
gained such beadway. The experience con.
firms that Of previous Years that when frs
once gets well started in one of Newuort's lnrr.
summer villas outside the compact section of
the city tho building and contents are almost
certain 20 be total los.
A portion OF the furniture wns saved. seep-
ing large in itself. but really the least yaluahls
OF all, while all the rich tapestries rare r,aint-
ings. bric-n-brac and elegant decorations ana
Furnishings Of every sort were beyond rescue.
The house was built about n dozen or ffteeu
years ago for z. Lorillard of New York and
was bought, with she extensive grounds, for
1900. 600 by Mr. Vanderbilt in lsS5 More than
100000 was expended in additions and i'm
provernents 20 the building. IL was Of irregu-
lar rnape. about loo by 10 feet In size. from one
TO three stories in height. the lower uart of
brick and the upper OF wood. with numerous
towers aud gables. In single hall were hung
tapestries worth $4,000
Members Of the family and servants alike Io~S
all their clothing. Mr.. Vanderbilt and family
found temporary refuge in the gardeners cot
taCe on the premises. and We're entertained
during the nigh; by hospitable neighbors.
Mt. Vanderbilt could give no accurate esti-
mate OF his loss, which. however. he stated wns
largely covered by insurance. placed through
New York brokers. IL Is Thought TO be about
100000 lie said that although he had in
tended TO remain in his cottage until after the
Christmas holidays his family would now 90 az
once TO their New York residence He viii
probably build a new aud elegant villa az an
early dav.
The silver. Jewels and other valuables Of q
like nature had been placed in the safes by the
servants. and are probably unframed.
Mr.. Vanderbilt and family have been here
orly since october J.. having sIeut the season
elsewhere This year because of the recent death
OF their eldest SON.