The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-09-28
From The Courier and Enquirer.
DREADFUL CONFEDERATION

| TOTAL DESTRUCTION or THE NATIONAL THEATRE
| THREE CHURCHES AND SEVERAL DWELLINGS,
About halfpast four O'Clock yesterday afternoon,
citizens were alarmed by the cry Of fire. which
found to be caused by dense column Of smoke, seen
rising from the roof OF the National Theatre, the
corner Of Leonard and Church streets In few
minutes every part of that beautiful edce Hames
and great the heat that the roof Of the African
| Methodist Episcopal Church the opposite side of
Leonard street. was, few minues also one sheet Of
| fire. This building with its contents entirely de-
stroyed
| On the other side of the Theatre too the work Of
destruction in progress. The cupola OF the new
| French Episcopal Church of Saint Esprit the
of Franklin street.-the handsomest building of
class 10 Amerca-took fire, which spread the
woodwork of the interior, which also destroyed
The desourng element was yet stayed
The wooden roof of abe Reform Dutch Church in
Franklin street took fire. and the entire building
shortly Of utter destruction. Such sight as
the confagraton at this time presented has perhaps,
never before been witnessed. A theatre and three
large churs hes in blaze the moment, and each
not stone throw distant from the other
The brick dwelling house adjoining the theatre. No.
AZ Leonard street, also took IRE and was completely
consumed, and the two adjoining buildings Nos. 40
and 81, nearly destroyed On Leonard street, next
adjoining the African church, the dwelling house No.
So, was entirely, and frame house, No, 60 partially
destroyed
On Franklin street. besides the two Churches above
named, the three large Drck dwelling houses, NOS w,
l0l and l03 caught fire the roofs and cornices, and
slightly damaged, though from the sithfuness Of
their construction, they saved from utter ruin
There also in the interior Of the block, number
Of small buildings which were consumed, and some
twenty thirty honses in various directions
less injured by their roofs taking FIRE from the falling
cnders.
The National Theatre was erected and opened
years since as Italian Opera House, at cost Of
$4,000, the ground lot costing besides ss65O0O-
The Opera continued for three seasons when the house
for time closed, and in 1884 opened the
National Theatre by Messrs. Flynn & Willard who
occupied it for season. when it again closed
In the fall of 1887 Mr.. Walack became the lessee at
of $4,000 per annum, (provious to which, how
ever, it had been open for several months under the
management of Mr. Hackett) and IN his hands Il re-
manned to the present time. In the spring OF 1888,
the property was purchased Of the original popreors
by Messrs James H. Hackett and o Mauran, Esqs,
for $40 900 Mr.. Hackct,s share afterwards passed
through two three hands, and at the time OF the des
tructon OF the Theatre ii the joint property OF
Messrs Mauran & Washington Cosfer They were
insured in London for $4,000, and in three several
Offices in this city, for aggregate OF 5000 The
loss Of property Mr.: Wallack is very great and it
the to be regretted as he had not cent Of in
surance.
The actors OF the company, too, have suffered Sc
verely and many OF them have lost their entire stock
wardrobe and properties Of the stock OF sceneryf
wardrobe properties, &c. in the theatre, but very few
articles OF value saved, except the books and pa
pcrs in the office, which all fortunately secured
uninjured Mr. Charles Kcan who had just recovered
from severe Illness have appeared again last
evening" and the stage had been set for the FIRST act Of
Richard iii. when the FIRE broke out Mr.. Kean yes
terday morning sent the entire Of his valuable ward
robe the Theatre, but from the fortunate situation in
which it placed, have reason TO believe that 1t
was removed in safety
The French Church was, as Se have before stated
one Of the most costly and beautiful edi6ces in tho
United States. IL commenced seven years since,
and has been completed two years IL is said to
have cost some 5000 900, bull, Of white marble,
and supposed to be entirely fre-proof-whch IN fact
was the case, il except some wooden ornaments
about tina DOME where the fire FIRST caught The works
OF tho splendid organ we're entirely, and we learn,
| safely removed.
From the best information could procure the fre
originated 10 the gas ROOM which situated IN the north
Of the building beneath tho stage Inc
gas-man appears, left lighted candle ~ the ROOM
in which the gas was escaping and the door being
closed, the consequence was that an explosion TOOK
place and the FIRE was thus communicated to the COM
| bnstihe materials around.