Person:Thomas McCowley (1)

Shocking Fatality at Burning of McCauley’s Hotel, Brechin _______________________________________________

The Orillia Times March 19, 1914 _______________________________________________ One of the most shocking causalities ever recorded in this district occurred at Brechin early Tuesday morning, by which four persons lost their lives. The victims are: Mrs. Thomas McCauley, her two children, John and Dennis, one six years of age, and the other an infant under a year, and Miss Josie Callaghan, a maid in the hotel.

The hotel burned is the Brechin House, and was owned and occupied by Thomas McCauley. The fire originated in the basement about 1:30 o’clock, and was caused by a defective furnace. Charles McInarney, the bar tender, was awaked by the smoke, and gave the alarm. The building was then rapidly burning, and the occupants had to make a hasty exit, some having to jump from the windows. Three maids were sleeping in a room on the third floor, Miss Maggie McInarney, Miss Etta Crosby, and Miss Josie Callaghan. The two former jumped form the window and were more or less injured by the fall. Miss Callaghan seemed to lack the nerve to follow their example, and while she hesitated it is supposed she was overcome by smoke and fell back into the burning building. Mrs. McCauley was carried out of the building but had died from suffocation. Her two eldest children were rescued, one a lad of eight, and his sister a year younger.

The rescue was effected by Victor Adair, Chas. McInarney and Patrick McLean, boarders in the house. Mr. McCauley was seriously injured, and it was several hours before he recovered consciousness, and learned of the death of his wife and two children.

The fire spread across the street and burned to the ground the office and residence of Dr. Gilpin. A bucket brigade did heroic service in preventing other properties from falling a prey to the flames.

The three members of the McCauley family who perished will be buried all at one time on Thursday morning. Miss Callaghan was buried yesterday.

Coroner Grant, of Beaverton, opened an inquest Tuesday afternoon into the death of Mrs. McCauley, and adjourned it until March 25, when the fire wil be thoroughly investigated.

The loss to the hotel is $10,000, half covered by insurance. Dr. Gilpin’s loss to house and contents is $5,000, fully covered by insurance.

From the Globe, Toronto, Thurs. Mar. 26, 1914, page 3: NO CENSURE ATTACHED FOR BRECHIN HOTEL FIRE- Jury finds all necessary precautions were taken by Proprietor.--- (special dispatch to the Globe) Beaverton- March 25, The adjourned inquest by Coroner Grant of Beaverton into the cause of the fire at the Brechin Hotel and the death of Mary McCauley, Dennis McCauley, John McCauley, and Jane Callahan, on the 17th of March, took place today at Brechin. J.E. Farewell, K.C. County Crown Attorney, being present, and after a full and searching investigation regarding the whole matter, the jury brought in the following verdict: "We the jury, find that Mary McCauley, John McCauley, Dennis McCauley, and Jane Callaghan came to their death on Tuesday, the 17th day of March, 1914, in the Brechin Hotel, by suffocation, and being burned to death. We find the cause of the fire is unknown. We further find that all necessary precautions were taken by Thomas McCauley in regard to the safety of guests and the travelling public at the said Brechin Hotel, and from the evidence produced no censure or blame can be attached to any person" Thomas McCauley is still in a serious condition from burns and shock, and was not able to attend the investigation