Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-02-27

locked and Il was very strongly suspected that
some one had entered the theater through that
door and set the building on fire. He said that
this was Mr.. Rapley's opinion, and that he sus-
pected certain person, but refused TO give his
name at this time. Mr. Drew said that the
matter was being Investigated. and that he un-
derstood ii had been placed in the hands of the
police:
At the nth precinct station, on 18TH street, n
STAR reporter was told this afternoon that Of
f1cer Pennie. who was first on the ground made
no mention Of finding the alley door open, and
that all the Information received there pointed
TO the fire having originated in the property
room, and that there was no suspicion OF incen-
diarism.
FIRE NOTES.
Special Ofi1cer John Lane saws that he was
the first one to respond to Officer Pennys dis
tress call, and that when he arrived at the
theater he saw the flames coming from the pri-
yate box, on the 14th street side He called
Jones Bros, who were up stairs, and notified
them OF the fire. He said that the flames spread
rapidly towards the saloon, and I'm few min
untes the whole room Was mass OF flames.
Members of the Order of Elks began early to-
day to discuss a proposition TO give "A benefit at
an early date TO Mr. Samuel Kinsley OF the Ma
tional Theater. Mr.. Nat Goodwin has offered
the services of himself and company. As soon as
arrangements can be made for house, il is
probable such benefit will be given.
Frank Wagner, foreman of No. engine, was
badly burned about the face and hands during
the nre, and was removed TO a drug store.
Previous Fires on this Site.
AN EvENTFUL HISTORY.
The nrst building on this site. as old residents
say, was a fine theater of imposing dimen.
sions, erected to replace Parley's Round House.
and In this building the inaugural ball of Presi.
dent Polk was given. But the following even
ing, March 9th, 1S35. IL was burned TO the
ground while performance was in progress
the bill being Beauty and the Beast" In which
the famous Charley Burke was the principal
character. No lives were lost, but the actors
mad to escape in their stage costumes. The
mouse was rebuilt in 1S41, MesSrS. kunkel.
Ford, and Monkey being the lessees, aud Miss
Fanny Morant, the manager. In February.
1857, 1t was again destroyed by fire, and upon
Its site another building erected. In 1862, the
first National theater was built, and was
opened April 22d by Leonard Grover. senior
with the Serious Family" Mr.. C. d. Hess
sassination ofPresident Lincoln, when IT closed
for the season Messrs. Spalding and Rapley
leased and ran IT for several years, succeeded
by MIR. John Savil1e, who was in charge
burned TO the ground, the fire originating In
bout the Same locality as the fire this morning
AT the time Mrs. James A. Oates better known
as Ance oates, was playing an engagement al
the National, and the partner of Stuart Robson
William h. Crane, was q member OF the com
panE Mrs.Oates and her troupe moved around
10 " lizards hall and finished a very profitable
engagement. although they lost nearly all theil
personal effects by the fire. The front portion
OF the building was not destroyed by the fire o.
1873, and when the work OF repairing damage
began II was found necessary to reconstruct
only the rear, or theater proper. This was done
under the direction of Messrs. Rapley and
Spaldfng, the owners, and the cost OF the new
structure is stated TO have been about 1000
subsequently Mr.. Rapley purchased the inter
est OF Mr.. Spalding, and leased the tbeater tc
Mr.. John w. Albaugh. At the beginning of the
ated with Mr.. Rapley in the management. and
these gentlemen had spent good deal Of money
In Identifying the interior and contributing in
other respects to the comfort of the numerous
patrons OF this popular theafer.