The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-04-03
SMOULDERING RUINS
NOW MARK THE SITE or JOSEPH
JEFFERsON's SUMNER HOME.
Family Cook Ierished - Confiagration
Caused by Defective Naptha Tank.

BuzzAno's BAY, Mass, April 3.-Crow's
Nest. the beautiful summer home OF Joe
Jefferson, was totally destroyed by fire
Saturday afternoon, and the body of Helen
McGrath, the family cook, lies buried in
the ruins Mrs Jefferson, wife of the ven
erabe actor, artist and literateur, had
very narrow escape from death In the
flames. She was sick in bed when she
heard the cry of fire. She arose and barely
made her escape, not having time to dress.
She was assisted out Of doors, covered
with buffalo robes, and carried TO the
house OF Station Agent Bassett. The
children, who were in the attic playing,
were the frat TO escape and seek place
of safety.
Mrs. Simmonds, housekeeper, Lizzie
Collins. maid and Helen McGrath, cook,
were in the cellar at noon when Mrs. Nc
Grath discovered what she supposed was
water running on the floor She called the
hired man, Robert Wright, who made the
alarming di ,covery that the pipe leading
TO the gasoline tank had burst and the cell
lar was being flooded with that dreadful
explosive.
Realizing the Danger,
he Immediately called to the women to fee
for their lives, but they stood horror
stricken. Almost Immediately the oil
| came In contact with the fire in the fur
mace. Instantly there was an explosion
| and the room was filled with flames.
Wright caught hold of Mrs. Simmonds
| and Miss Collins and with great difficulty
| fought her way to the door Burning and
| bleeding ne heroically endeavored to ex'
| tricate Miss McGrath from the fiery
| furnace, but, driven back by the flames
| he was unable to render her any assistance
| and she was left TO meet her awful fate
| The fire spread with lightning rapidity
and the whole building was completely en-
veloped by it. Word had been sent to
the depot and soon the grounds were
covered with people
Repeated efforts were made TO force ar
entrance into the burning structure 70
save, if possible, the life of the unfortunate
cook
Willing hands were soon busy removing
furniture, pictures and books, but only Z
few paintings, "A piano, some china, and
few books were saved, The wind wa
blowing gale from the southwest, ano
this fact alone saved the adjoining resi-
dence. Embers were carried far out int
Buttermilk bay, and soon the once elegan
home of the greatest American actor was
| Mass of Ruins.
| Governor Russell was in Sycamore read.
to start on fishing expedition when h
received word that the home OF Jefferson
where so often he had been entertained
was being destroyed He at once starte'
for Buzzard's Bay. and upon his arriva
Immediately called upon Mrs. jefferson
and profIered her his assistance and ex
tended his sympathy. The governor the
proceeded to the scene of the fire and al
ranged with Special Policeman Atwoo
for the service Of IL deputies, who wi
watch the ruins and guard the property.
1t is estimated that there was $4,000
worth of paintings in the art gallery, an
the total loss will exceed $3.50, 900.
The house which was erected three year
ago was designed by the actor himself
and cost $4,000. II stood on a high eli
overlooking Buttermilk bay, and was
model of modern architecture. Mr.. Jef
ferson is EN- re ute to California, and wor
has been sent TO him.
Early Sunday morning search was IN
stituted for the body of Helen McGratf
An entrance was made to the cellar an
the debris was carefully removed and tn
search continued all day, but no trace {
missing wsman was found. 1t is the ger
eral opinion that
She Was Instantly Killed
by the force OF the explosion before bein
cremated. But the finding of the bones {
} a dog at neon aroused hope that th
woman's remains might yet be found. 4
pair of eye glasses were also found, and
is thought that they belonged so Miss Nj
| Grath. The search will be completed thi
afternoon.
Miss Collins, the maid, is the most ser
ously bnrned of the survivors. She wa
, thrown down by the force Of the explosio
and was frightfully burned on the fac
arms and hands. Her sufferings were il
, tense. She lost everything she possesse,
J Clarence Whipple, an employe, was ais
terribly burned on the face, arms an
|, hands.
The News next Wednesday night wi
present full and accurate returns OF ti