The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1881-02-05

INGS BrENED-EARROW ESCAPE OF TEL
f ACADEMY OF MUSIC-HUw THE CONFI \
/ GRAFTON BEGAN.
PHILADELPHIA. Jan 3l.-A fire brok,
out in horticultural Hall. this city. at
O'Clock this morning. The flames wers
communicated from the Baptist Churcl
on the corner of Broad and Spruce streets
/ and both church aud hall were cNmpletc
| ly destroyed The loss at this time ear
/ scarcely he estimated. The Academy o
! Music was at one time in serious danger
hut Though the Efforts Of the tirenrn ii
was saved.
About 1 80 o clock this morniuga Fifth
! district officer, while patrbiling B.oat
| street. discovered flames issuing fir nm tn,
/ rear OF Beth Eden Baptist Church. stu
/ ated on the northwest corner Of Broa.
and Spruce streets. An alarm was givri
| ut once, but by the time the engines al
, rived the flames had made such rapit
| progress that the interior WAS one mas,
! of flames. neccsStatiig a second and :;
| general alarm. 1t WAS soon evident thai
! he church was doomed. and the tiremel
turned their attention. to the adjoining
property. especially to Horticultural iaI
and the Academy al Music. At ! o clock
after burning only hall an hour. the roo
of the church fell III. scatte ring ilamin.
brands in every direction. setting fire T.
the dwellings in Spruce street and t.
Horticultural Hall.
The roof of this building was the frs
to catch, and although streams Of watei
were played on 1t i'll every direction. til,
intense heat %! the flames from the church
converted I'll" water iuto steam almost Il
So;.p as it reached the roof. and in IA few
m,nnies nHms. yrrc bursting from Scor,
Of places in The rnUt. and in ten minute
after the walls of the church had ialler
Horticultural Hall WAS beyond the hop.
of saving. and after burning an hour til,
walls fell IN. scattering the sparks in
every direction and setting fire tn thu
dwellings 1902. 1901, l40G, and HOS
Spruce street.
\ shower nf sparks fell on the roof oil
the Academy Gf Music. and it began t,
look as it this huiding must also full a
prey to the devouring element. but il hun
dfed men on the roof and streams Of water
from adoZeu engines battled successfully
and saved the building. The brilliant
li"iit OF the burning building was visible
all oyer the city. and the rumor that the
Academy Of Music gas burning attracted
thousands tothe scene. completely block
ing the street for squares. Services we're
held in the Beth Eden Church last even
ing, iad he FIRE is supposed to haye been
caused ly . defective iiHe. rs the .janitnr
SAYS that on leaving the church at ten
o'clock last evening every thing was all
right.
Horticultural Hail was erected fifteen
years ago at 4 cost of 500 900. ConSid-
cradle excitement was caused by Il re-
port thai several tiremen and policemen
had been killed hy thr falling of lI"rti-
cultural Hall; hHt this. fortunately, was
not So. although a number made very
narrow escapes. The iiremen labored
nohy. but were often handicapped by
AusstiYg bose a"d short supply Of water.
The losses will probably be from $40, 600
10 $500 0j.
Horticultural Hail was used moi only
for floral displays. but for balls. concerts.
picture exhibitions. and even theatrical
entertainments. Although the stage APP
pointments were poor. Uncle Tom Cabin
and other plays of Il spectacular nature
have been given there. OF late wears a
...,,@t aII&qr GLASS of shows has been
given iii ,i.a i'ait. Il vas useful hall,
but not such IA Ole a,a IL ,,ItY iikG i.li;:%-
delphia demands. The Old Musical Fund
Hall il better, but in an undesirable To-