The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-08-18
DISASTROUS FIRE.
Extensive Fire-proof Building Burned



About 2 o'clock this morning the private
watchman on the eastern side of Front street,
between Race and Vine streets, discovered
smoke issuing from the crevices of the iron
shutters on the second floor OF the extensive
ire-proot building on the southwest corner of
Front al d New streets. He Immediately gave
the alarm, and through the use OF the fire alarm
telegraph the fremen of the Second, Third, aud
Fourth Districts were notified and they soon
arrived on the ground. BY the time that water
was got on TO the structure the flames had
worked their way by means OF the hatchway to
the roof, which was soon destroyed.
The fire, in consequence of the combustible
nature of the contents, burned rapidly, and in a
lew minutes the building, from the second. story
up, was in flames. The fremen were unable to
get water on the flames, owing to the impossi-
bility OF breaking open the IRON shutters, and
they had to content themselves with playing the
aqueous fluid over the walls aud roof aud the
surrounding property which was considerably
threatened by bits OF burning wood which were
blown in every direction.
The school-house adjoining the property on
New street was in imminent danger on several
occasions, but through the splendid manage
ment of Chief McCusker, who kept several
streams of water constantly playing on it, it was
saved.
The flames in the burning building were not
queuched until the whole Of the upper part was
destroy ed, and nothing is left this morning but
the first floor and the walls, which had been
well built. The origin of the fire Is q mystery at
present, but the suppo oition ia that it caused
by spontaneous Combus' ion, the floor on
which the flames were first seen contained an
exceedingly large quantity OF wool and cotton.
The building consisted of two compartments
fOul stories in height, separa ed by a stout wall
and iron doors. The larger one was 43 feet on
Front street, and about 100 feet on New street:
aud the smaller one about the same width, and
60 feet on New street. The Front street struc-
| ture was the one in which SO much damage was
| inflicted, the partition wall and iron doors
saving the rear one. This latter building was
| occupied by Collins 4 Robb, provision and CON-
mission merchants, as storehouse, AMI they
cerned. They, however, occupied the sub
cellar, the cellar, the first floor and the attic of
the front building, and was impossible to es-
| innate the loss they sustain by damage to their
property in this building.
They had on hand about 100000 pounds of
shoulders. 100 kegs of lard, IS cases OF banls 40
| barrels of beef hams, and rs barrels of smok ID
beef, on which there was an insurance of 100000,
which will, it is believed, cover the loss.
In the second story there was on storage 800
bales of wool, the property of Bulock's sons
valued at 100000. This is covered by insurance
Clag horn, Herring Co. also had on this floor
a large quantity OF cotton, most of which was
| DESTROYED
The third and fourth floors were occupied by
II. A. Bartlett & Co., backing manufacturers.
| Their entire stock was destroyed, but we could
not learn their loss or insurance
Mir. Thomas carp had 100 barrels of lard in
the cellar, and they suffered to a considerable
| extent by water.
The smoke occasioned by the burning cotton,
wool and grease was very dense, and interfered
| much with the operations OF the fremen, Seye.
raj times the surrounding property was in i'm
! minent danger, and at one time, when the burn
! ing embers were flying around, a fire similar to
| that OF 1850 was threatened.
The RED MEN.-This morning, at half-past
| O'Clock, the formal dedication OF the new hall
of the Independent Order of Red Men, at Third
and Brown streets, came off in the presence of
crowded assembly, The ceremony was per-
formed in the spacious hall upon the first floor
| OF the building. procession consisting of the
Officers OF the Grand Lodge OF the United States
and Directors and Committee OF Arrangements
of the hall, was formed in the room OF the Grand
Lodge OF the United States, on the third floor
| Thence the procession went to the main hall. A
| large platform was erected in the hall, directly
opposite the principal entrance. Upon this
platform seven of the members of the Grand
| Lodge had stations,
The President OF the Hall Association, Got
tleibo Frank, advanced to the Chief Powhat-
formally delivered TO him the hall. Then the
Chief ordered the "Great WARRIORS Drank
Schmitt, OF Pittsburg. Pa }, TO light the Council
reported that it burned brightly. chant was
then sung by the entire Order.
The High Priest" (Mr. Quip, of Baltimore,
| Maryland), offered prayer after the ignition of
the council fire. "Chief Powhattan" then re.
turned the hall to the Lodges of Pennsy lvaua,
through Philip Law, of tue Susouehanna Lodge,
No. 49, Of Pennsylvania. Another hymn was
marched back to the room of the Grand Lodge
of the United States, and the services connected
| win the dedication were at an end.
The exercises were listened TO with the
grayeet attention by the large assemblage pre-
sent. After all was concluded the han was
| thrown opsn for inspection, aud during the
4 entire porning crowds Of visitors were con.
| stantY passing in End out
| At the picnic yesterday afternoon at Washing.
| ton Retreat the crowd was immense. GOttlieo
| Frank, the President OF the Hall Association
was presented with a handsome silver goblet
| eight inches in height, engraved with an appro
| pirate Inscription and drawing of the new
| Hall. A numosr of the various tribes were also
| the recipients Of richly wrought and beautiful
! flags.
ATOMS OF FACT AND FLECY.-Independen
| Hall dd honor TO the memory of the Great
| Stevens yesterday afternoon. The bell tolled a
I tribute.
-InvIncible--thc Athletics. They walked
| into the olympics OF Washington yesterday.
| Score, SO to 27.
-WOrkmen are engaged iu putting second
! story to the building IN the rear of the old
| Quarter Sessions Court room. 1t is for the con-
Venence Of the judges.
| Midnight music-a cracked organ, mounted
! Iny a tired monkey, and ground by a maudlin
Italian, oiscoursed plantiVely to the curb stones,
lamp posts, and awnings at Eighth and Market
sFeets As Monday was merging into Tuesday.