The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-01-09
PULITzER'S
HOME BURNED.
Handsome Residence of the New
York World Editor
Destroyed by Fire at an Early
Hour Today.
ONE LIFE is LOST.
Body Of the HOuSekeeper Found
In the Ruins.
Family Was Asleep In the
House When Alarm Sounded.
The Total Loss Is Estimated at
100000.
Body Of the HOuSekeeper Found
In the Ruins.
Family Was Asleep In the
House When Alarm Sounded.
The Total Loss Is Estimated at
100000.

New York Jan. 9.-The handsome
dwelling of Joseph Pulitzer, the pro-
prietor of the New York World, in East
Fifty-fifth street was destroyed by fire
today and at least one life was lost
When the flames had been extinguished
and a search was made of the ruins the
body Of a woman was found badly
burned. The body was identified as that
of the hOusekeeper, Mrs. Jellett. In one
hand was firmly clutched a small bag
into which it is believed she tried to
thrust some of her personal effects be-
fore leaving her room. The governess,
Miss Elizabeth Montgomery is missing
and may also have perished in the fire.
At the time the fire began there were
in the house Mrs. Pulitzer, her daugh-
ters Edith IA years of age and Con-
stance II and Mrs. Pulitzer'S baby son,
months old, and % servants. Mr..
Pulitzer and his son, Joseph Jr., are at
Lakewood, n. J..
Mrs. Pulitzer was asleep with her two
daughters Edith and Constance on the
second floor. On the floor above was
the nurse, with the baby.
Mrs. Pulitzer was awakened at 7:50
by a cracking noise. She detected the
smell of smoke and almost Immediately
afterward the electric fire alarm sound
ed.
Mrs. Pulitzer ran to one of the doors
Ol the room Out 1OunQ II locked. Ine
other was open and. taking her child
ren she started down stairs shouting
the alarm.
After placing Edith and Constance in
the street she hurried up to the third
floor and found the nurse with the bahxT
in her arms about to get out on the fire
escape. The woman was hysterical.
Mrs. Pulitzer quieted the nurse, took
the baby from her and together they
went out.
John O'Conner, the second butler had
a narrow escape. He slept on the top
floor with another servant He was
aroused by Mrs. Pulitzer's cries and
finding the smoke coming thickly up
wards walked out along the window
ledge to the roof of the next house No.
IA, the residence of Alexander Matt
land.
O'Connor says he was overcome by
the smoke and sank down when he
reached place of safety. His COM
panion revived him and assisted him
to the street.
The origin of the fire is unknown, but
1T is thought that it must have started
in the basement, or in the lower story
by defective electric insulation 1t
spread with great rapidity and went
straight upward and in a short while
was blazing from the roof.
The firemen realizing that the house
could not be saved devoted their ener-
gies to adjoining property. The house
contained a valuable historical library
and many carefully selected works OF
art Nothing of value was saved. The
total loss is estimated at $500 600.
Mrs. Jellett was a widow and it was
said she had a son and daughter in To
ronto. One of the servants who escap-
ed over the roof said that he saw Mrs
| Jellett on the roof at the time. 1t is
| supposed she went back for the satche
| Which was found clutched in her hanC
| when her body was found. While crew
| of II firemen were at work on the third
| floor the floor fell. carrying them to the
| second floor. Lieut.. Hauck was pain
| fully hurt, but remained at work
Later-When the flames had been ex.
tinguished the bodies of two wome1
were found badly burned. One is be-
Heved to be that of Miss Elizabeth
Montgomery, the governess and the
other was Unidentified as that of tht
housekeeper. Mrs. Jellett