The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-04-05

BUzzARD's BAY, Mass, April Fire
this afternoon totally destroyed the beau.
tiful summer residence OF Joe Jefferson,
situated on the shores of the ButtermAB
bay. and the family cook Helen McGIath.
persisted in the ruins. Miss Simmonds,
the housekeeper, Miss Collins the maid.
and Miss McGrath were in the cellar az
noon when Miss McGrath discovered
what she supposed vas water covering
the floor. She called the hired man. Mr..
Wright, who saw at once that il was oil
from the gasoline tank She shouted to
the women to fee for their lives
but they stood dumbfounded. The gas
communicated With the fire in the furnace.
and in an instant there was a terrible ex-
p osion. Mr.. Wright caught Miss Sim.
monde and Miss Collins and fought his
way to the open air He endeayored TO
return for Miss McGrath, when he as
met with a binding sheet of flame
Burned and bleeding he herOlca " tried
to gain an entrance. but was unsuccessful.
and the unfortunate woman was LETT TO
perish.
When the cry OF fire was raised Mrs
Jefferson, who was i'll IN BED. hasti. y arose
and fed, not stopping 20 dress. Willing
hands covered her with buffalo robes, and
che was at once removed 10 the home Of
Station Agent Bassett. She had suffered
a severe nervous shock and medical at
tendance was summoned The children,
who were playing IN the attic, We're tho
first ones 10 escape and seek a place OF
safety.
TapIdity, the whole building soon being
/ roaring furnace. The entire pOpula ION
/ was soon 81 the scene and repeated at
/ temDts were made to enter the building.
( to save. if possible, the unfor,unat cook.
/ The wind was blowing q gale from the
! southwest al the time of the fire which
alone saved the residence adjoining the
Jeff-rsons from destruction.
Governor Russell and Mr.. a II. Wood,
+ who were fishing in the vicinity. we're
4 soon at the scene and caIed upon Mrs.
/ Jefferson. Mrs Jefferson received a tele-
gram from her husband in New York
/ stating that he would be here on sunday,
( which greatly relieved her. and she lie now
resting as comfortably as can be expected.
/ She does not yet know that the body Of
| Miss McGrsth is in the ruins. and the sad
news will be kept from her as long as pos.
| Sible. Miss McGrath has been IN tha
. employ of the Jetiersons for twenty years.
| The large and valuable painting which
was to nave been exhibited at the worlds
! fair was totally destroyed, together with
I Mr.. Jefferson costly col ection OF curios.
Governor Russell searched among the
goods for some wearing apparel for Mrs.
Jefferson, but not a bit had been saved
and Mrs, Jefferson has only the clothes
che bad on y hen she escaped from the
burning building.
II is estimated that $4,000 worth Of
/ paintings were consumed ana that the
total loss will be S250000. Mr. Jehersoo
/ is en- route to California and word has
been sent TO him. The house was erected
three years ago and was des gned by the
I actor himself 1t stood on high buff
! overlooking Buttermik bay and was a
model of modern architecture. The re-
/ port of the fire spread rapidly and over
one thousand people were on the ground
! in short time. \ squad OF special police
is on duty tonight watching the IRE and
guarding the property.