Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1895-12-13
One Dead, Another Dying, other, Missing.

RUTHERFORD, N J., Dec. 10.-Not
merely large amount Of property, but
probably several lives were lost in the fire
in this place. It is certain that one man
was burned to death. Three others, it is
feared shared his fate. One man is dying
in the Haokensack hospital, having cut
his throat and young woman is in dan
ger of death because of the death of her
father and the shock occasioned by seeing
a man attempt suicide.
Mr.. Vorwald is the man whose body
has been taken from the ruins He es-
capped from the building with his wife at
the first alarm, but started back to obtain
from his room leather trunk which con-
tanned his insurance policies and other
valuable papers. The three missing per-
sons are German, his wife and their
child, who occupied the top floor of the
building and who have not been seen
since the fire broke out. Their names are
unknown, as they moved into the house
only last week.
The burned building was a mere brick
shell, with the interior entirely of wood
and plaster. 1t was five stories high and
200 by 100 feet. The ground floor was 90
oupied by stores. The flremen had not
reached the scene when the flames were
eating their way rapidly through the flats.
There are water mains in almost every
street in the borough but no hydrants as
yet, owing to a dispute between the
borough trustees and the Haokensack Wa
ter company. The fire department is a
volunteer one.
Many Narrow Escapes.
Scarcely one of the tenants saved a sim
gle article of clothing except the night
robes they WORE The flames had broken
through the roof within 20 minutes after
the fire was discovered, and 20 minutes
later the roof caved in, carrying with il
every floor to the cellar. The scarcity Of
water and hose caused the flremen to be
badly hampered, and an appeal was sent
to Passiac city for aid. Two steamers and
hose cart responded. Cisterns and any
thing else that could be utilized were
pressed into service to furnish water for
the steamers.
The last man to leave the building, so
far as could be learned, was William Groof,
who lived in one of the upper flats. He is
positive that the family which moved in
last week had not come down stairs ahead
Of him, and that no one left 1t after he did.
The work Of delving into the ruins was
speedily begun, and the badly oharred
body of Mr.. Vorwald was found. Valen-
bln6 U6OfR6i VINO saw bno DOQy nauleQ
out, turned to bystander and remarked,
"Well I've nothing to live for nowP'
Then he walked away. He went directly
to the residence of Mr.. Prince, on Orient
way.
When he approached the house, Mrs
Prince, who is a daughter Of Mr.. Vor-
wald and had not yet heard of her ia
thers death, was sitting at one Of the
windows in the parlor. She saw George
come up the street. The man stopped
when he reached the gate, took from one
of his pockets a shoeknife and drew IL
across his throat. Mrs. Prince fell, faint
ing, and when she revived doctor had
to be summoned to attend her. She was
about to become a mother and her condi-
tion is critical. George was sent to the
Hackensaok hospital, and his recovery is
doubtful
It is thought from his attempt on his
life that he started the fire accidentally,
and remorse caused his act. He is 23
years old and unmarried.
After the discovery OF the body Of Mr.
Vorwald the work Of searching the ruins
was continued. Up TO this evening no
trace Of more bodies had been found, but
the work will be resumed this morning.
This is the fourth big fire that has
broken out in this place on a Sunday
night between II and 10 O'Clock. The
four fires are the only big ones the borough
has had