New-York tribune., 1901-11-17
WINDY BARN" ~ ASHES.
MISS HELEN BARNEY WARNS THE
HOUSEHOLD OF DANGER. AND
ALL ESCAPE.

Soufhampfon Long Island. Nov. 16.-The
handsome summer home of Charles T. Barney,
,rasident of the Knickerbocksr Trust Company.
was totally destroyed by fire last night The
cottage was one Of many handsome houses oc-
euped by the fashionable summer colony here
II was still occupied by the family, ana the
flames spread so rapidly that the occupants had
ssrely time TO escape with their lives All the
contents were destroyed. there being no time
70 remove clothing. jewelry and other personal
effects The total loss is estimated at from
$4,000 to S300G00 partly covered by insurance
Miss Helen Barney is receiving great praise
from her friends for the courage she oisplayeo
IN arousing other members Of the household
II is said she the first to see the nre' anu
she hurried through the house to arouse the
other occupants before seeking her own safety
The house is near the beach, and far distant
frcm the fire company's quarters. and II was
long before the firemen were called out BY the
time thev arrived at the scene the house was
mass of flames and the iremen could do nothing
TO save any par. Of it There were no houses
near it but the new home of Henry A ROD
bl Is. across the lake WAS in danger from the
great showers of sparks that were blown across,
s.d hose was laid to wet it down in case IL
should catch fire
This morning all that was left of the handsome
place consisted of three high chimneys, Whlch
stood alone in a network of iron grders and
pres and mass Of debris in the cellar The
fire started in the billiard room IN the norlh-
east corner Of the house It's origin is not known
but ii is supposed TO have started from delec-
tive Aue.
The members of the Barney family. besides
Mr.. and Mrs Barney senior, comprise A. n
Barney and J. ". Barney. the two sons and the
Misses Helen and Catherine Barney. the two
aughters. A Il. Barney, the son. was not at
ADme last night. II has been the custom Of the
Amy to occupy their summer quarters up TO
te latter part Of November. The family were
tbout TO go back for the winter to their town
house. No 1o1 East Thirty-eighth-st. Manhat-
tan.
Mr.. Barney ard the members Of his family.
after escaping from the burning building in
fcant attire were cared for at the house Of
neighbor. Mr.. Barneys house in New-York has
been in the hands OF workInen. and the family
had taken a large part of their Taluables to
their summer home. 1t is said that many
thousands Of dollars worth of jewelry was lost
in the blaze. including number Of valuable
diamonds Some Of the bric-a-brac and paint
ings were imported from Europe, and We're Of
much value.
Mr. Barney telephoned to HIS friends In Man
haitian this morning that while the entire build
ing and contents were gone, he was glad 10 say
that all Of his family and the other members Of
the household We're safe and we'll
The building burned. known Windy Earn
was one of the finest the Long Island coast
IL was the first summer residence bulit at
Southampton and was erected by William S
Hoyt nearly thirty years go Since Mr. Barney
bought il he had enlarged ii several time. until
II had become one Of the finest country houses
here, the grand ballroom having been built
only two years ago The house, after being re-
modelled was two stories and half high. and
contained about thirty rooms including a
billiard room, library dining hall, reception hall
and ballroom
The fire made big blaze. and Illuminated the
coast for distance of several miles.
Il was impossible to get a list OF the jewelry
and diamonds lost in the flames. guard was
paced around the property. and as soon as the
RUNS cooled off, men were set at work Search-
ing for the valuables The house full OF
antique furniture purchased in Europe.