Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-05-13


fre broke out at Wizards hotel this morning,
shortly after ten O'Clock. 1t originated I'm the room
IN the basement under and Just north OF the main
ONCE, ana the flames, running between the floors.
reached the main part or the building, and then
on 10 the coal elevator and up through the house
Dense volumes or smoke soon began to pour through
the building An alarm was sounded from box 1876.
at the fOoilt House, about 1918 O'Clock, and gen
eral alarm was soon sounded. bringing out the en-
tre nre department. A STAR reporter. who reached
The scene OF the fire soon after It's commencement
made his way to the fifth foor in the rear part OF
the house. where the firemen Of engine COMPANY
No Were engaged in throwing a stream OF water
down the shaft The SMOKE soon became sitting,
ana the boarderS Were hurrieily packing their
valuables together; some fastening their boxes:
others. assisted by servants hauling their baggage
down the stairs.
REscUEs.
In the extreme northwest corner OF the sixth
story appeared colored boy and three servant
girls, who were entirely cut of by smoke Trom the
stairways. They remained at the window and
Kept their heads clear until ladders raised
their escape
There was no danger apprehended 10 The lives OF
any or the occupants OF the house. but the dense
smoke made 1t very uncomfortable to those who
remained TO look after their ValuableS some OF the
female employees became greatly distressed when
Iney reached terra frma one chambermaid nearly
went Wild when she remembered that they had
deserted companion in room 2222, who was Sick In
bed She was sure she had been smothered The
chambernafd was found however. and carried
safely down the ladder. She had been overcome
by the smoke, but this afternoon WAS fully recun-
cred.
The crowd on the outside was dense and people
We're pouring In and out OF the house. Around on
the north side OF the building the remen took two
servant girls out OF the topmoSt window. and a
man from the third story. AT noon the fire was
confined TO the northwest corner OF the main office
Where the 1remen were attempting TO reach IT.
The office and billiard rooms were Hooded
with water
A gentleman named Post, from Chicago, who was
Slck III ptd, was carefully removed.
CONFUSION ON THE LOWER FLOOR
On the lower floor all was hurry and hustle.
Colored employees, with handkerchiefs tied over
their mouths. came through the ladies' exit, drag
ging such trunks as they could reach and a great
many valuabes were saved In This way from
INJURY. From the portcoS on the 14th street side
sheets niled with clothing were tulnbed 10 the
ground ana were taken care OF. and those VINO
remained came to the ground by means or ladders.
which were furnished in abundance
WHY ASSISTANT SECRETARY JosIYN WAS CHEERFD
Whlle the smoke was pouring out from nearly
every part OF the building, the familiar figure OF
Assistant Secretary Joslyn, appeared one OF the
14th street windows carefully carrying In his arms
three elegantly upholstered ladies' hats. covered
with ostrich feathers, ana all kinds OF feathers.
He dropped them safely TO the ground, amid the
cheers OF the crowd.
COOL HAND.
When the smoke first grew very thick gentle
man appeared at one OF the west windows opening
on the alley He had evidently just got up, having
been awakened by the noise and confusion lie
quietly went 10 work 10 dress and make his toilet
and when completed. packed his grip sack, and
resting IL on the window sill waited patiently with
out saying word until ladder was hoiSted for
his relief.
EXCITING SCENES.
When the hotel began 10 I'LL with smoke the
guests began TO be apprehensve that the IRE was
really serious matter, and when they were choked
with smoke In attempting to pass through the cor
ridors a small panic enSued The ladies hurried
out and inplored men TO go back and get their
trunks, and soon general exodus began. First the
trunks came and were piled on the sidewalk and
then removed TO express wagons. Those who had
articles OF personal apparel sent for them one
lady, with eyes red and swollen from smoke. and
nearly overcome by fright. was brought out In the
arms OF two men. Another lady ran wildly about,
crying, "Ohl where is my husband?"
CONGRESSMAN KELLOGG MOVES OUT AND SOON MOVES
BACK AGAIN.
The personal effects OF Mrs. staples and Congress
man Kellogg and his wife were brought out and
carried the street to the B. and o. telegraph
office. MIS- Kellogg and Mrs. staples sat there in
the door awaiting the destruction OF the building
but about ll:30 SIR. Kellogg came over and said
"The fire Is all out. have been up IN our rooms
ana everything s al right. Not a room In the
tor shaft and that is all the damage find" So
under the escort Of Mr. Kellogg the ladies returned
TO the hotel.
REPRESENTATIVE MoRRIsoN's EFFECTS.
At the F street corner the spectators We're very
much interested in watching Col Morrison, the
Representative from Illinois, rescuing his papers
and personal property from the supposed impend-
ing destruction. When the first alarm came Col.
Morrison seized large trunk and flung IL out OF the
window on f street, the trunk bursting IL re-
bounded from the brick pavement. He then de-
scended to the street and from the outside directed
the movements OF several men as they pitched his
personal effects from the window.
THE FIRE OUT AND RIGHT AGAIN.
The balconies at this part OF the building were
used by the guests in facilitating the rescue OF their
property, and ladders on the balconies enabled
articles tied in sheets to De quickly sided 10 the
ground The guests had hardly EotT,an their things
out however, before they began 10 carry them back
again, and the excitement subsidized. as at noon
came reports that the rlre was out and the main
damage was by smoke and water. The proprietors
OF the hotel announce. however. that the damage
is not sufficient in that direction TO interfere with
the business of the house, which this afternoon
was going on as usual.
ORIGIN OF THE FIRE
The fire appears TO have originated in vault IN
derneath the wash-room, adjoining the Office. This
vault connects with a dumb-waIter shaft, which
runs all the way from the basement to the roof
The fire is said by some 10 have originated from
overhcated steam pipes. located near the wood
work. Another statement is that q bundle OF oily
rags in the vault first caught FIRE. The fire. 1t ap-
pears, burned some time before an alarm was
turned in, the employees OF the kitchen thought
they could put it out. When il was sucked into
the draft OF the long shaft, however IL passed out
OF their control The fire burned its way along the
SHAFT all the way 10 the roof.
THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED.
The WIZARDS hotel property which occupies the
east half OF the square between 18th and 18th
streets and Pennsylvania avenue and street. Is
valued at s300,000. The owners are MesSrs Henry
A. and Joseph Willard. The present lessee is Mr.
o. G. Staples. The building is insured for about
s15O,0O0. The furniture, belonging TO Mr. Staplesis
also insured.
PREVIOUS FIRES.
There have been two fires before In the building
one occurring In 1861, which became historical on
account Of the service rendered by Ellsworth
zouaveS in saving the building. The second fire
occurred In 1879 and small fire In the rear of
the building, which caused quite a panic among
the domeSticS OF the house. The main or Pennsyl-
vanla avenue portion OF the building was built
about 1915. The other portions We're added from
time TO time until the building stretched fromPenn-
sylyania avenue to street.
THE DAMAGE WILL NOT EXCEED $4,000
Chief Engineer Cronin attacked the fire from the
roof and fought downwards, thus preventing ft
from spreading laterally. On none OF the stories
above the ground did the fire spread beyond the
woodwork Immediately attached 10 the shaft. The
ceilings and carpets and some OF the furniture In
the vicinity or the shaft the upper floors were
well drenched with water. On the first floor the
fire burned its way through the toilet room and the
other little accessories OF the ONCE, and made
hole through the ceiling on the west side OF the
Office. Chief Engineer Cronin estimated that the
damage would not exceed $4,000.
The promptneSS and efficiency OF the fire depart
ment received many compliments
A ssTcrrffic'' Prize Fight.