New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1866-07-06

The destructive effects of fire have rarely
caused such universal feeling of regret in New
Orleans as did the burning of Odd Fellows Hall
on Wednesday night The building wasnot paFticu-
ary attractive by its architectural elegance or dec
/ Grafton, but it was commodions, and admirably
adapted for the purposes for which it was erected
! The order of Odd Fellows and their various OH
GERS found every convenience, and it contained
the finest ball and concert room in the city. 1t
/ is nearly fifteen years since it was finished, and
during that period while it has been known as the
edifce of an order distinguished for humanity and
henevolence it has been the constant scene OF de-
lightful and elegant social reunions. There are few
old residents of New Orleans who have not some
pleasant remembrance to associate with it, and al
though confagrations have frequently been more
destructive in regard to the value of the property
consumed no building has ever disappeared in
our city the loss of which so generally concerned
the public. And its loss is the more keenly felt
since it must be many years before the order can
replace it.
The fire was first discovered shortly after eleven
o'clock, in the paint shop in the basement OF the
building on Lafayette street, by the police, and
was supposed to have been quenched but burst out
anew shortly after, and spread through the build.
ing with marvellous rapidty. The fire department
were early on hand, and did their utmost to check
the confagration but there was scarcity of water,
and the flames having once mastery, did not stop
until all of the massive pile was in ashes. Nothing
now remains Of the structure but fragments of the
walls. Large portions of the walls falling from
time to time caused the earth to tremble long dis
tance off, and it is marvellous close as the frcmeE
were to the building, that none Of them became
victims to their intrepidity. Mr.. George Troy
foreman of Hook and Ladder, No. l, was injured
, by the falling of ladder and a member of Perse
" verance, No. 13, by a falling brick So far as We
e can learn no other accidents occurred. Nothini
9 was saved from the building but the records Of tn
u Grand Lodge.
E The Hall was erected in 1852 at an outlay 0
l. s225, 900, and was insured but for $4,000. Tn
e building would cost much more now could not b
e erected perhaps for less than from three to fou
l. hundred thousand dollars. The occupants Of th
Is lower floor viz the Dot" beer saloon, tt
y paint shop in which the fire originated, Kissnger
confectionery, ODonnell's book store and Dan
- caa's book store, saved nothing and are hea7
Is sufferers. Mr. Gumbell the lessee of the hote
y next door to the Ha Camp street is also alose
81 The saving Of the house from destruction is proc
= of the incredible exertions Of the fremen' Son
es outhouses in the rear were crushed by ialIin
walls, but the Chlef Damage III the Ihh4u pull4L
X was caused by the food of water poured into
'e The premises are owned by Messrs Schneider ar
es Zuberbier, who estimate the damage at $500
x and Mr. Gunbell's loss is set down at $1,000. n
3D. injury to the building is covered by insurance,
as Mr.. Gumbes loss is but partially insured and
hs fully covered would not compensate him for Il
ne arrangement of his business. He will, howeyf
a. have his house soon in order again.
'nr The dimensions of the hall were 100 feet fro
Is on Camp street, 17O feet deep on Lafayette stree
on- and four stories high. The decorations and fur
Ye' ture of many of the lodge rooms and regalia
Is posted in them, were Of the most costly descr
the ton, and it can scarcely be an exaggerationtO
lng down the entire loss at half million Of dollars
the Sergeants White and Gibney, with other poll
1Ve officers whose names were not known, we ha
un- heard much commended for their exertions in
IN midst of fire and sufocating smoke, in saving
au- records,of the Grand Lodge.
'us- A meeting of the order is called by the Ora
lro' Master for halfpast O'Clock this evening, at
on' sonic Hail. on ST. Charles street, the Grand Mas
ace of the Masonic fraternity having con8iderat
'eIy rendered the use of the hall.