Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-01-18
FIRE AT THE EXECUTIVE MANSION.
The Conservatory Destroyed.

This morning, few minutes before eight
O'Clock, dense smoke beng seen issuing from
the western end OF the Conservatory adjoining
the Executive Mansion, one Of the guards on
duty there discharged his musket, thus giving
an alarm, which was taken up by others. An
effort was made TO turn in an alarm from the
corAer of New York avenue and 18th street,
but failing, Sergeant Walker turned in an
alarm from Willards' Hotel. The apparatus
Of the large bells being out Of order on account
of the cold weather freezing the oil on the
striking machinery, the companies could not
be informed of the are, the bells falling to
strike by the machinery at the Central once.
A messenger was Immediately dispatched 70
the engine houses, and in a short time Hibernia
No /. OF the L. ). Department, and Franklin
No. ,, OF the city. were on the ground-tae
former attaching TO the plug Immediately in
front of the Mansion, and other taking water
from the plug In the rear of the Treasury. In
8 short time the hook and ladder company was
on the ground, and their ladders placed IN
position 10 reach the interior OF the Conserya-
tory. although the water almost troze in the
hose attached to the engines, they went man.
fully 10 work. as did steamers Nos and g. Of
the city, and the other Two Government steam
eTs, Hlbernia and Meigs, which were soon on
the ground after getting word OF the fire
Chief Engineer Dixon, of the Government de-
paTtment and Chief Engineer Sessford, of the
city fire department, We're soon at the fire,
and, with Secretary Stanton, Assistant q uar-
termaster General Rucker, and Major B. Is
French, Commissioner of Public Buildings
did all in their power TO prevent the spread of
the flames. In short time the engines had
streams upon the fire, and after battling for
some time the flames were subdued, though
not until the plants had been DESTROYED by the
heat and smoke.
The conservatory of the Executive Mansion
was formerly on the east side OF the building
but during the administration OF President
Buchanan il was torn down, and the new one
erected q w of
story buildings used for the storage of wood
and coal, the roof of which was OF copper; the
floor Of the conservatory was erected over
this, leaving aspace of about tive feet bet ween
the floor and old roof in which space the fiues
for heating the conservatory We're laic. The
hre was first discovered Immediately over the
boiler, and, II Is thought, originated from a de-
fectiye fue. The firemen were compelled 10
tear up The floors of the conservatory in order
10 reach the flames, and thus they had to worx
for two hours before they could get the control
OF them. The weather being exceedingly cold
rendered it very difficult for the firemen TO
work effectively; but they were true 10 their
duty, and manfully fought the flames until
subdued. Too much praise cannot be given 10
Chief Engineer Dixon, OF the Government fire
brigade, Chief Engineer Sessford, OF the city
hIe department, and the fireman under them,
with the policemen under Lieut. Hurley, for
their faithful performance of duty. Many of
them worked until their clothes were frozen
on them, trying to reach the fire.
DIR. A. &. Smith, n member OF the special
police under Commissioner French, on duty
at the Executive Mansion, with the pipe Of
one OF the engines, stood by the flames until
he was nearly suffocated, and fell. Officers
Leach and Harris Immediately carried him
out, and Dr. Norris was summoned, VINO ad =
ministered 10 him. One of the members OF the
HIbernia iell through the roof, but fortunately
escaped with q few scratches
The loss will probably reach two or three
hundred Thousand dollars. Many OF the plan Is
were very rare, and have been accumulated
LOT the past nfieen or twenty years-they can
not be replaced tor any sum. Among the rare
plants destroyed was a very large lemon tree
Tour StritlltZla Regina, in full bloom, the larg.
est plants IN America Pandanus Odorata or
Screw Pine, very rare and large; one Cycus
Reyoluta. imported during the administration
OF Gen. Washington, aud a very large mum
Der OF Cameiia Japonicas, the finest in this
country.
Mr. Kerichar, the chief gardener, with those
IN his employ, did ali in their power 70 save
the plants, and succeeded in getting mum Der
out before they were reached by the flames
MT VIM. Slade, the steward az the Exscu
i've Mansion, properly provided for the fire.
men furnishing suitable refreshments