Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-01-10
TWO LIVES LOST
By Burning Of Jos. Pulitzcr's
New York House.
Remains Of Housekeeper and Cover
ness Found in the Ruins.
Building Quilted and the Damage Will Be
About 100000.

New York, Jan. 9.-The handsome
residence Of Joseph Pulitzer. publisher
Of the New York World at Nos. 10 and
II East 55th street, was destroyed by
fire today Two women were suffo-
Gated or burned TO death. The total
loss is estimated at about $500. 900
The insurance is S2500o0. The victims
of the fire were Mrs. Morgan Jellett,
the housekeeper. and Miss Elizabeth
Montgomery, gOverness.
The dwelling was a four-story build
ing Of stone and brick. The dining
room was famous for its handsome fit
tings. There was conservatory ad
joining and this is where the fire origi-
mated. The origin Of the fire is vari-
ously ascribed to electric wires. the
steam heater and an open fire. 1t
started about 100 A. NJ. while Mrs
Pulitzer. her daughters Constance and
Edith. IL and IA years old, respective
Iy, and Herbert. boy of three years
and the housekeeper and governess
were asleep. Mr.. Pulitzer and his son
Joseph, Jr., were at Lakewood. There
were % servants in the house.
The servants in the house and pass
ersby discovered the fire about the same
time. There was not much smoke, but
the flames spread rapidly and were
soon beyond control Mrs. Pulitzer got
her children together and with the aid
OF their nurses got them safely to the
street and then to an adjoining dwell
ing Several of the servants had mar
row escapes, one Of them making his
way out of the building by the roof.
He said that he saw Mrs. Jcllett on the
roof and that she went back to get Il
bag containing Christmas preSetS.
When the fircmcn found the body Of
the housekecper on the top floor the
bag was in her hand. 1t contained
number of silver trinkets and fancy
articles.
The woman's body was partly burn
ed. The body of the governess. Mrs.
Montgomery. was not discovered for
several hours. 1t was found in the
ruins on the third floor. Her body was
not badly burned. showing she had
bly, suffocated.
\ peculiar incident of the fire was
the death of Hickey. a King Charles
spaniel. which had been a favorite Of
Lucy. 17-year-old daugtcr of Mr.
Pulitzer. who died two years ago. The
dog slept in the room of Il servant on
the top floor and the animal was for
gotten in the rush to escape.
When the tircmen of engine 40. in
charge of Licpt. Harry IiauCk. were
at work on the third floor after tn"
fire was out. ut Job the flooring gave
way and let them all-ahout dozen
men-fall to the second floor. All but
Hauck escaped injury and he sustain
ed decoration of one leg.
The fire spread rapidly after its start.
The firemen sent in a second and then
a third alarm. bringing a great mum
Der of engines and other apparatus In
the scene Reserves of police were
called out to keep a big crowd in or
der which had come to see tn" flames.
Mrs. Pulitzer. who is a niece If the
late jefferson Davis. had a number Of
jewels in a safe in the house which
was burned.
The building was completely Quilted
by the fire. none Of the StairWays be
ing left and the rooms being burned
out. The contents were an entire loss
and these alone. it is estimated. were
worth $4,000