The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-30
A. THEATRE BURNED.
Despuctronr Of the New Olympic Theatre. On
Market Street, h,ladeiphia-suspicions Of
Incsndia rism-History OF che Build
ing-Ths Losses 90 the Owners
and Theatrical Company
Two Firemen Killed.

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. ~ 1874
The new Olympic Theatre. on Market street.
below Thirteenth street. caught fire about three
O'Clock this morning aud was totally destroyed
me building was formerly known "a National Han
ana was used for public meetings exhibitions.
conventions, &c.
1t is strongly suspected that the IRE which
caused the destruction OF the theatre was case OF
ihceRdiarlsm. Several attempts had been previ-
ously made to fire 1t. and about Christmas the CITY
fire MARSHAL cautioned the Board OF Underwriters
OIL the dangerous character OF tue building and OF
attempts to fire 1t.
by the falling of the walls two Gremen wers
killed and several injured.
ST. johns CATHOLIC church. on Thirteenth street..
and the friends meeting house. Twelfth street.
were in great danger but Through the efIorts Of
the fremen were saved. carpenter shon ,dio,u
ing the rear Of the theatre crushed by the .Il
ing walls. but no other adjacent property WAS Sc
riously damaged, except by water
Firemen were at work this afternoon pulling
down the walls left standing. The building be-
l0nged to the ArentzeI estate and was valued at
$4,000; insured for S45,75O In Pennsylvania aud
New England companies as follows
For $500 each in the WestchesJer. OF New York:
Birmingham OF Pennsylvania; Boatmen's OF Pitts
bnrg; Amazon, Of Cincinnati Fire ana Marine.
Oinzens'. Peabody and German, OF Wheeling;
Brewers. OF Milwaukee,; Roger Wiar@ ana
City, OF Providence Nail CITY. OF Wneehrg;. CiIi-
Zens, of Missouri; Atlas, OF New Orleans t!iooe,
OF Chicago National, OF Mississippi. Also tho
Pennsylvania, OF Philadelphia $4,000; Safeguard.
Of Philadelphia, 81, 900; American Central, Of st.
Louis, and Anemanla. OF ohio, sl,25C eao4
The loss to the management Is about $4,000.
Among tne sufferers are Mr.. Van Horn. oOstumer;
Amelia Dean, Minnie Jackson, sophie Elmer, Fan
ME Bean, Charles Vincent, Little Joe, G II. Ray
mond and others, all OF whom lose considerably BY
the destruction OF the wardrobe of the theatre.
Mr. Fox, OF The American Theatre, andNthe "Black
Crook" management have 0nered tie Mayor the
use OF that theatre and company for benefit on
Monday next in aid OF the families OF ale deceased
and injured fremcn.
The names OF the firemen killed were George W.
Dewitt and Charles O'Neil SIX other 6remenwere
seriously injured.
The building was erected IN 1850 sod was.an I'M
fortunate speculation, never having been popular.
In 1857 Rev. DR.. Tying used it whea his relations
with the Epiphany church were Npturesf by hs
prominent member OF the church and a large
shareholder, organized such movements against
Mr.. Tying that he and hts irlcnts .abapGoned tho
National Hail. as temporary place oil worship
pending the erection OF new church in 1859.
On ;rd the 18th Of ,u Decem6er 1859. George
slavery question IN the same building, the
event being attended with excitement great
that there were serious apnxehensons OF riot.
and large force OF police was required to keep
! the peace. On the evening OF January s. 1861, q
large Union meeting was neld, in the hail. being
one OF the first great loyal gatherings in this
city Just previous to the outbreak of hostiIities
After the close OF the war National Hall was the
building In which was held the sessions OF the
Celebrated h'nS Southern L9yaiiss Convention
tionary convention, held In temporary
wigwam short slime before, ana waa
IN session several days the city presenting con
man Of the Convention was Mr.. Thomas j. DA-
ran:, Of Louisiana, and the permanent President
attendance Of delegates from each Of the lately IN
surreCtlOnary and still unreeOnstruCted States