Bradford Reporter

Dreadful Calamity.

The residence of Mr. John Appleton Haven at Fort Washington, (ten miles from the New York City Hall, known as "Waldenfield,"), was totally destroyed by fire at four o'clock Saturday morning. Three of his daughters, Mary, Sarah and Grace Haven, lost their lives. One perished in the flames, and two were suffocated. The family retired to rest about eleven o'clock last night, in good health. The young ladies slept on the second floor, and the first intimation they had that the house was on fire was by the smoke entering their apartment. The two who were smothered had made their escape from the building, but afterwards returned to it again, it is said to get some more clothing. They were in their night dress, and fell upon the floor, insensible from the effects of the smoke. While the house was burning some of the neighbors entered the upper story and saw the two ladies lying on the floor. They instantly picked them up and rushed out of the house, but it was too late—they were past recovery. Although their pulses beat, they died soon after being taken into the open air. The other daughter was not recovered. It is supposed that she was also suffocated and burned with the house. The neighbors succeeded in rescuing Annie and taking her from the building alive, though nearly suffocated. By the application of suitable remedies she was restored. The bodies of the two suffocated young ladies were taken to the neighboring houses of Mr. Hopkins, treasurer of the Hudson River Railroad and a son-in-law of Mr. Haven. The remains of the daughter who was burned to death had not been got out of the ruins up to twelve o'clock to-day. The fire occurred in the kitchen, and is supposed to have originated through the carelessness of the servants, who had been up till a late hour. It is also supposed that the house had been on fire an hour before it was discovered. The servant, it is alleged, fled from the building soon after the fire broke out, without giving any alarm to the house. The fog was very thick at the time, and the light of the fire could not be seen at a very great distance. Mr. Haven's House was an irregular structure, built of wood, about one hundred and twenty-five feet front and forty feet deep. It was situated on an eminence, at a distance of a quarter of a mile from the Hudson river. The house and furniture, all of which were consumed, were valued at twenty thousand dollars. Mr. Haven was insured in the various offices in this city.