The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-05-30
GREAT FIRE AT SARATOGA.
CODgrs 50 Hall Totally DsstrOyed-Loss
SI1O,OOO-InsUrance SlOO,OOO-HistOry
of the Building, Etc

SARATOGA SPRINGS, May 29.-This well.known
and leaolng American watering place has sui
tered another severe and damaging blow Dy fire
in the destruction OF the Congress Hall Hotel
this morning At twenty minutes past twelve
the flames were discovered in the north wing of
the building, and issuing from the apartment
known as the ironing and linen room, wherein
the women ironers had been at work until an
unusually late hour last night, to be in readi-
ness Tor the annual opening OF the house, which
was to take place to-day. The traIlty of the
stanlaneous spread OF the fames and but little
more than an hour elapsed before 1t was com
plete and impressive heap of ruins. The glare
OF the fire was plainly visible in Troy, Albany.
schenectady, and throughout all the adjacent
country.
Though the village has recently been supplied
with steam fire engine, 1.-THE appliance was out
of order, and the only available tire apparatu
consisted OF two indifferent hand engines. The
fire did not extend further, happily, beyond
Congress Hall than the lighthouses on Putnam
street. north, which were consumed. The
damage to the trees and foliage on the main
street was disastrous, and at one time it was
feared that Union Hall, opposite from this
cause would share the tate of its more unfortu.
nate neighbor. The exterior of Union Hall was
considerably blstered and the building was
only saved from destruction by protuse use oil
water thrown over 1T from pals. The entire
loss will foot up one hundred and seventy thou
SAND dollars.
The building and appurtenances were insured
for one hundred thousand dollars, there being
separate insurance upon the furniture of from
seventeen to twenty-five thousand dollars.
There we're no stores in the building, and the
slver-plate had not yet been removed from the
private residence Of Mr.. Hathorn, one of the
rroprietOrs. 1t is really gratifying to know
that while the total destruction OF this edifce Is
a very great loss and all the more painful from
the proximity OF its occur enCe to the opening
of the sea2on, still there is and will be ample
room ana accommodation for all who NAV con-
template spending the season here. The Marvin
House, large and commodiOus hotel, Just
tinished; the Union Hall, the Clarendon and
several minor houses, together with immune
rable cottages and boarding houses still remain;
ard it is everywhere felt that the new season
notwithstanding this gigantic calamity, so slmi-
lar 10 the disaster to tne Estates" last year. will
be ali uncommOnly brilliant Que. 1t is said, and
the suggestion seems both timely and sensible
that very large number OF cosy, light, and
alry cottages will be Immediately erected to add
to the attractions and accommodations OF the
season. There is very general feeling of gloom
at the calamity that has belalen the village, and
throughout the country the hdJitles OF CONGRESS
Hall Will feel sad, indeed that their old resting
place has been so suddenly erased.
Congress Hall was bullt in the year 1872, by
Mr. Gideon Putnam, and II was while supeTin
tending the work upon the building that he
fell and Injured himself, and afterwards died of
his wounds. The MOTEL was kept in the family
tor a number OF wears, when Mr.. Van Schoen-
hoven took it. He left il In his will to his SON
in-law, and IN 1850 the only surviving heir, Mr..
V. klnsey, came INTO possession, all his rela.
tyes being burned or drowned, or both, Oh the
l-ated steamboat Henry clay. Mr.. H. H.
Hathorn, the last proprietor bought the house
on the sth OF September, 1854, and had
retained his right in / ever since He
has had partners with him, but he him.
sell had been the man of the establishment,
Inc large number OF Improvements which had
been made in and around the hotel are too
numerous to mention, but they were such as
mace 1t equal, u not superior, to any in the
place. new Office had been made in the front
OF the building. which included the room for
! merly occupied as barroom, and extended
pack as lar as the piazzas. The bar room had
! 0een sent down stairs, as also several other
! branches OF hotel appointments The magnid-
| cent piazza which formerly extended the entire
length OF the building had been put around the
north side and made that side look even better
ihan before. Mr. Hathorn had announced his
| intention of opening the hotel ON Monday
! May 26.--N. Y. HeY0td. ~