New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-09-19
THE ROCKEFELLER FIRE.
RTrRNED HOUSE WILL BE REPLACED
WITH ONE EQUIPPED WITH
WATER SUPPLY.

4 few smouldering timbers chimney and the
foundation walls all that remains Of John u
Rockefeller's fine home at kyk-Ult Whlch was
entirely destroyed ny fire Wednesday night the
ruins attracted many sightseers. but superintendent
Fen1enway went on with his work about the estate
as though nothing had happened. There was SO
little left Of the house that few men soon cieafeu
away the debris. The walls SO hot that little
progress could he made digging in the RUNS 10
see II ANYTHING valuable could be discovered.
Tuenty-four hours later the fire would prooaolE
not have occurred. Mr.. Rockefeller mad LOT SOME
time thought the electric wires in his home danger
Gus Before he to Cleveland he lett a con
tract 70 have all the wires placed within pipes
The men were to begin yesterday on this work
Wednesday evening at the Rockefeller home MI
and Mrs E Parmelee Prentice gave dlnheF 10
Nj and Mrs, William Rockefeller ano their Nv" oo
daughters The dinner late and it was o.'"
o'clock before the party arose from the table MT
and Mrs Rockefeller and their daughters departed
shortly after and returned TO Redwood HAN MI
Prentice had occasion go TO the second story ana
as ne opened a door one Of the bedrooms ne
-,.1I.a e-noke He made an investigation and sum-
r,oned the servants to help him. 1t was fouho Ihdt
= detective wire had set fire a partition between
ruo bedrooms on the west side Of the mouse. "ol"
MS telephoned 10 the fire department at North
7srrvrown and every effort was made TO get at
,he danes which spread along the wires, and soon
fire broke in many parts OF the mousse MI
Prentice realized that useless TO try to save
the house and he directed that the Faluables ana
furnishings he saved if possible
In rye minutes fifty men were on the scene IN
cIu5ing MI Rockefeller's gang Of Italians They
we're able to remove everything from the house
7xcept ths contents of the linen closet upstairs
The silverware. jewelry, gowns and oil paintings
we're first saved a wagon was brought from the
sable and it was loaded with iewelry and silver
are and men were stationed to watch it Word
was telephoned TO William Rockefeller. who ar
rived with his daughter
While the fire at its worst Fire Chiet Stod-
T9nN kET o q
and said: Isn't that q picture Of little Jack Nc
forncko" Mr. Rockefeller replied that II was. and
handed it to his daughter who kissed it 1t was the
only picture Of the favorite grandson that the
family possessed,
There was an amusing incident at the fire. Mr..
Prentice was in his dinner working with the
men. The iremen took him for. the butler ana
Michae1 J. Martin the assessor who gave Mr..
Of the most daring fremen at the fire. He worked
like a beaver TO save Nh. Rockefellers property
With flames all around him he cut out with an axe
q large mirror from the walls He had his halr
The FIRE which started at o'clock, vas still
burning yesterday morning. All OF the furnlture
ana tie et bd aF When is tn @ occupied by John B
Rockefeller. jr Mr.. Rockefeller and his young
loss 1t is said that last spring he furnished the
home throughout. and that all the furniture was
His father has been notified and will come direct
f,liy insured IRE furniture was also protected by
insurance. The loss will probably amount TO $500
It is said that Jor1 d h0cke1etler VII puI 5
the mansion that he has long talked 81 building He
also spending large amount OF money rebul!uLIs
the Weeks house and erecting large conservatory
that his son will reside in the Kent house while
The Speriencc Of last night when the fremen
after laying two thousand feet OF hose, could not
get any Wg{HF ; Td Ce NT Rockefeer 70 put in his
own water supply; Had the hreraen been aoie 70
get water on the flames the house could have been