Omaha daily bee., 1906-06-09
ia. CREIGHTON HOME BURNED
Counts Beautiful Old Dwelling with
Precious MsmentOes Victim Of Flames.
FAMILY OUT OF THE lcrTY At THE TIME
Bust Of Pope Leo and Photo OF Pope
Plus Among Treasures that
Cannot Re Replaced
with Money.

The home Of Count John A. Creighton
at the northwest corner of Twentieth and
Chicago streets was Quilted by fire yester-
day afternoon. The interior OF the house
with it's wealth OF furnishings and valua-
able collection of paintings, relics and me
mentoes, was almost totally destroyed.
The fre originated in the counts den
at the southwest corner of the house and
was not discovered until the FIRE had gained
considerable Roadway. The count and his
brother-in-law, John A. schenck. are at
Mount Clemens Mich. Count Creighton
was advised yesterday evening Of the FIRE
The loss will be many thousands of dollars
well covered by insurance, but the value
Of the counts collection Of personal ef-.
fects and books cannot be estimated in dol
lars, as many of the articles destroyed had
personal value which could not be re-
placed with money.
During the absence Of the count and other
members of the household the place was in
charge of Mrs. Mary Cotter, who has been
the counts housekeeper for twenty years.
At the time of the FIRE she was down town
having dress tried on and was not advised
of the FIRE until an hour after the alarm
was sent in. When she did arrive home
and viewed the wreck she was completely
overcome with emotion. She had to be
attended by women companions who were
on the scene.
Two Servants in the House.
When the Are broke out the coachman
was downstairs in the laundry room. while
a servant was upstairs. Painters were
working at the front OF the house and
were first advised Of the fire by three boys
passing the front of the place. The alarm
sent In from the Creighton telephone
and when the department arrived, about
2:3o, the flames were fast destroying the val
liable effects n which the count took much
pride.
According to statements Of the painters
the fire was caused by a gasoline torch
used in scorching old paint. In the counts
den was a large collection of books and
relics all of which were destroyed. From
the den the fire spread over the first floor,
cutting the library. dining and living rooms.
few paintings on the north wall escaped
damage. The upstairs was badly damaged
by fire, smoke and water. The fire was
confined to the interior of the house.
Among the more valuable articles de-
stroyed we're two lfe-sized busts, one of
Pope Leo XIII and another OF Edward
Creighton, the counts brother. In the den
was an autograph photograph OF Pope Plus,
y
Dear Son, John A. Creighton Pope Plus"
That photograph was brought from the
pope by Bishop scanneli on his last visit
to Rome and was highly priced by Count
Creighton.
Relics from All Over World.
In the den were relics from notable per-
sonages all over the world One was
framed document presented by Pope Leo
at the time Mr.. Creighton was commits
stoned count in the Catholic church. OF
all his valuable effects it was known the
count took especial pride In his family
paintings. which. fortunately, were prac-
ticaIly saved, as neighbors and friends
made a rush for the paintings as soon as
the fire was discovered. A large painting
of the counts wife was saved intact; his
mothers oil painting was slightly dam
aged, but can be repaired; a painting of
Edward Creighton, six feet square, was
not damaged, while nearly all other paint
ings of the Creighton family were saved.
Owing to the improvements being made
at the place when the fire broke out. Ave
valuable paintings had been stored in the
attic and were not damaged.
Nearly every bit OF furnishing on the
| first floor was ruined, while most OF the
furnishings upstairs were either wholly
destroyed or rendered useless. The In
terror of the house was badly scorched.
The Creighton home is an old landmark of
| the city. 1t was known as the Lacy home
in the early days and was erected about
forty-five years ago. Count Creighton has
occupied the place thirty-five years It
represents the comfort and dignity of the
old architecture.
During the fire Second Assistant Chief
Dineen's horse broke his hitching strap
and started out to make run on his own
account. After making the ascent on
Twentieth street the animal was stopped.
with no more damage than a broken shaft.