Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-04-03
THE BURNING OF Crows NEST.
Total Destruction Of Mr.. JefIerson's sum mer
Home.

1 Aotni Destruct10n OF MI. JenerS0n'S Summer
As telegraphed to The star Saturday after
| noon, Crows Nest, the beautiful summer resi-
dence Of Joe jefferson, situated on the shores
| OF Buttermilk bay. was destroyed, and the
| family cook, Helen McGrath, persisted in the
ruins.
Miss Simmonds, the housekeeper, Miss Collins,
| the maid, and Miss McGrath were in the cellar
| at noon, when Miss McGrath discovered wha.
she thought was water covering the floor.
She called the hired man, Mr.. Wright, who
| saw at once that it was oil from the gasoline
| tank He shouted to the women to flee for
their lives, but they stood dumfounded. The
gasoline communicated with the fire in the fur
mace, and in an instant there was terrific ex-
plosion
Mr.. Wright caught Miss Simmonds and Miss
Collins and fought his way to the open air. He
endeavored to return for Miss McGrath, but
was met by binding sheet Of flame. Burned
and bleeding he heroically tried to gain an en-
trance, but was unsuccessful and the unfortu-
nate woman was left to perish in the flames.
When the cry Of fire was raised Mrs. Jeffer-
son was ill in bed but she hastily arose and
luckily escaped, not having time to dress. She
was assisted out and covered with buffalo robes
She suffered a severe shock to her nervous
system. and was at once removed to the home
of Station Agent Bassett and medical attention
summoned.
The children, who were playing in the attic
were first to escape and seek place of safety.
Gov. Russell and A. H. Wood, who were fish
ing In the vicinity. were soon at the scene and
called on Mrs. Jefferson.
Miss McGrath has been in the employ of the
Jefiersons for twenty years. She was a middle
aged woman, devoted Roman Catholic and
her sad and untimely end has cast deep feel
ing of sorrow over those who knew her.
The large and valuable painting which was
to have been exhibited at the worlds fair was
totally destroyed, together with Mr.. Jetferson's
costly collection of curios
Governor Russell searched among the goods
saved for some wearing apparel for Mrs. JEFF
ferson, but not a bit had been saved and Mira
Jefferson has only the clothes she had on when
she escaped from the burning building
1t is estimated that $3.50. 900 worth of paint
lngs were consumed and that the total loss will
be S25O, 000
The report of the fire spread rapidly and
over 900 people were on the ground in q short
time.
MR.. JEFFERSON HEARS THE NEWS.
MIR. Jefferson received the news Of the burn
ing of the Crows Nest at the Fifth avenue
hotel in New York Saturday afternoon. He
was deeply grieved by the report of the death
of the cook. Helen, who had been twenty years
in the family.
His eldest son. Charles, started for Buzzard's
Bay Saturday night, and after Mr.. Jefferson was
assured of the safety of those members of his
family who were i'll the house he started with
his son William at o'clock on his western tour
Mr.. Jefersons property-houses, stables,
furniture and pictures-was insured for S7O,-
600. The total value is roughly estimated at
between $500, 900 and 100000 He had re-
Gently put in picture gallery and bought some
new and extremely valuable canvases
Mr.. Jefferson owned three Corots, four
Jules Dupre. one Decamps, two Cruces, four
Mauves. two Israels (including the large canvas
The Mother") }, one Sir Joshua Reynolds, two
Slr Thomas Lawrences, three Van Marcks, one
Madrago, besides family portraits and por-
trait OF Macready, the actor.
In the house were number Of fine wood
carvings, books of value and, in fact, the art
and photographic Accommodations of lifetime
Built into it were original modelings by the
sculptor Bauer. old tiles and stained glass por-
traits OF Edwin Booth and William Warren. On
the main stairway was large stained glass
window. with design by Jefferson himself.
The house was built substantially and amply,
and In every part was characteristic of its ac-
complished and hospitable owner. 1t is Mr..
Jeferson's intention to rebuild at once.
Crows Nest was u picturesque rambling
cottage of stone, built on the edge of the bluff
behind Buttermilk bay. Its site was one of the
finest on the Massachusetts coast. 1t was not
a new building. but its construction was of a
thoroughness that made it equally delightful in
summer and winter. and it was occupied by
Mr.. Jefferson or some of his family most of the
time. Mr.. Jefferson had gathered his children
about him in neighDoring cottages, and his
family, with their guests, of whom there we're
always many, formed settlement by them
selves.
Since Mr.. Jefferson first took possession of
Crows Nest many well-known guests have been
entertained in its big, quaint, low-studded
rooms. President Cleveland was a frequent
visitor while he was at Gray Gables. mile and
half away. last summer, and William H.
Crane and Richard Watson Glider were among
the friends who met there.