Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-04-06
"CROW'S NEST" BURNED.
JOSEPH JEFFERSON'S PALATlAL RESI-
OENCE IN ASHES.
Helen McGrath, Cook, Perished in the
Flames-AIrs. Jefferson aud Otbsr Mem
bsrs of tho Household Rescued by
Heroic Enorts.1

BuHzARDS BAY, Mass, April 2.-Joe
Jeferson's beautiful summer residence, the
Crows Nest, on Buttermilk Bay, was
burned yesterday afternoon. The fire caught
in the cellar, gasoline from a leaky tank
coming in contact with tue furnace, causing
a terrific explosion.
Helen McGrath, cook in the family for 20
years was burned in the ruins. Two other
domestcs wore heroically rescued by MIR.
Wright, the hired man, but when he re-
turned for Miss McGrath the flames shut
him out. Mrs. Jefferson, sick in bed, es-
capped in her night clothes aud was taken to
the neighbors, wrapped in buffalo robes.
MIR. jefferson is on his way to California
All his valuable collection of curiosities and
paintings including valuable one to have
been exhibited at the worlds fair, was de
stroycd. the paintings alone being valued at
$3.50, 600. The total loss is estimated at
$3.50, 900.
Gov. Russell and a companion, who
CHANGED to he fishing in the vicinity, were
driven to the fire and called upon Mrs. JEFF
fersou. The latter lost oil her clothing
except what she had on. The children were
in tho attic at the time and were the first to
escape. Mrs. Jefferson is suffering greatly
from the shock but Is as comfortable as could
be expected.
Search For Miss McGraths BODY.
Early this morning a search was institu-
ted for the body of Helen McGrath. An
entrance was made to the cellar through the
! door through which the servants escaped
| Toe debris was carefully removed and the
search continued all day, but no trace of
! the missing woman found. 1t is the
general opinion that sue was instantly
killed by the force of the explosion, and
that the cellar floor being covered with gas
oline, she was cremated The search will
be completed by noon, Monday.
Miss Colhnsou Ito maid, is the In ost SER
iously burned of the Survivors. She was
thrown down by tho force of the explosion
and frightfuly burned on the face, arms
and hands Her sutrerings are intense,
| Clarence Whippls, an employe, was also
terribly burned on the ace, arms and hands,
and as he complains of severe pains in his
cnest, it is feared he inhaled some of the
flames and is internally injured.
Frank Ashport, another employee, was in
the cellar at the time of the explosion, ant
is also suffering from severe burma on hi
face and hands. Whipple and Ashport, al
though suffering intense pain, herocally
endeavored to save Miss McGrath
from the Fiery Furnace.
Miss Symons was not so severely burned
as The others, and has been with Mrs. JEFF
ferson at Mr. Bassett's She visited the
scene OF the fire to-day in the hope that sh
might learn something of Miss McGrath
c. b. Jefferson, A. II. Wood, Frank l.
Wood and Miss Ala Wood arrived on
morning train, and at once went to Mrs. JET
ferson. Later Mr.. Jefferson, A. II. Wood an
Frank Wood went to the ruins. Mr. JET
fersou ordered most careful search to b
made and will remain here until it is com
pleted. He took an inventory OF the good
saved from the fire.
When interviewed by q reporter, he sal
that his father was deeply grieved at th
sad and untimely death of his faithful ser
want, and that the loss of the property di
not appear to affect him. Mr.. Jefferson wi
rebuild on the same site, and will this sea
son occupy the Whittier cottage which
on the Buzzards Bay Shore near Ora
Gables
Mrs. Jefferson has been receiving ne
, sages of sympathy all day. Among the fir
to arrive were those from Prest. CLEVELAND
Mr.. Whittier and Mr.. Benedict. She
much better than she was yesterday bl
keen feels the loss OF Miss McGrath and
, constantly making inquiries as to the scare
, for the remains.