New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-12-27
THE BARNUMs MUSEUM FIRE.
RECENT INSPECTIONS AND wARNINGs--A HINT
UNHEEDED BY THE WATCHMAN.

UNHEEDED BY THE wATCHMAN.
The Barnum's Museum fire, its origin,
progress aud end was the subject OF investigation by
Fire Marshal Mcspedon. yesterday James NJ Mae
egor superintendent Of Buildings testified in relation
TO the construction OF the building IN 1862 and said that
the laws Of 1862 did not prohibit the building OF theater
with such materials IA were then usedwOod and cor
rugated iron In relation 10 the alteration Of the build
ing during the past Autumn no said that an inspector o.
his department had examined il. and reported that II
was being put up in proper manner. Andrew b.
Mooney an officer Of tho Fire Marshas office, testified
that he had inspected the museum building
twice, and warned MI Bsrnum's agent that the
steamppes Throughout the building placed danger
ously near the woodwork. one OF the attend
ants having charge of the animals testified that he
entered the building hour before the fire was dis
covered and that he smelt smoke, aud spoke 10 the
Waterman about It; that the Waterman replied that he
also snet smoke, but that he had been all the
building ana was confident that it was not on fire and
that he went 20 bed only be awakened hour later
by the cries of q Fire"
sUPERSTEEDENr hAcGREGOR's STATEMENT.
James NJ. Maegregor testified: am superintendent Of
Buildings for the City and County OF New York; all
plans for buildings and alterations OF buildings
submitted to my department for examination aud APP
prova; the building lately occupied by p. l. Barnum,
museum and mensgere, was erected III 1868 by JAS
Cooke TO be used hppodrome the architect was
Lawrence b. Yak the walls Of corrugated iron,
No q the outside and No a for the inside the entire
roof was with No az corrugated the entire
cupoa, excepting the columns, within and without
Of ~ corrugated iron, and the ribs OF the were
also Of iron I; the existing laws relative
construction Of buildings passed in 1862 did not prohibit
the construction Of building OF this character
contrary, much more insecure building could have
been erected. with roof entirely OF wood, covered
the outside with reproOf material Sept. II, 1879,
application made 60 alter the building and the
customary plans and specifications were submitted; 1t
referred to Inspector owens for examination
sept "a; he reported fayorably thereon, and recon-
mended the application for APPROVAL; the alterations
provided for were a. follows; Internally the Level
Of the new ring win be sunk five feet below
the present level, the first tier Of seats
lowered gallery put up all around. cellar for horses
10 Dc put In northwest corner portion Of the front
wall 10 be put up two stories higher partly OF brick aud
partly OF corrugated iron timber frames !" the horses
there during the performance; this application was APP
proved by W W Adamf, the deputy superintendent,
SEPT 49, 1872 and referred 10 Inspector Salmon for
inspection while the alterations being made; on
Dee 1872 he reported that the alterations had been
com peted in accordance with tho speC hcatOns and
without any violation OF the laws relating thereto;
Oh Nov - committee from Grace Church called at my
Office and entered complaint against the building be-
bettng hat u endangered their building, which adOIned
lt the east; this complaint once referred
Inspector salH0D who win the chairman OF the
c9tee examined the premises and ON Nov IL reported
hH nothing had beep done contrary 20 the directions OF
bis aeparGenf; ibe inspector said In his report. Que