Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-01-13
A FIRE AT NIX. FOSTERS HOUSE
Great Damage Done by Fire and Water
I'm an Elegantly Furnished Mansion.

I'm an Elegantly Furnished Mansion.
A fire broke out early last evening In the
mansard roof Of the large double house, 1905
street, occupied by Hon. John w. Foster, re-
Gently the minister to Spain. The wedding Of
Miss Edith Foster, daughter, occurs this even
ing, and the members of the wedding party
were in the parlors discussing this event when
they were startled by the announcement OF the
fire. At once all was confusion and the bril-
liant rooms, with their elegant appointments,
presented q disordcred scene the firemen,
policeman, friends and neighbors hurried about
trying 10 secure the vaiuibies from destruction.
The flames, they had originated In the
woodwork Of the roof, spread rapidly, and the
entire top of the house was soon enyeloped i'm
flames. streams of water playing from the
roofs of the adjoining houses soon got the fire
under control, and then il finally extin-
gutSbed. The willing band OF helpers, however,
had been busily engaged in carrying out OF the
house into tho adjoining residences of Mr.. John
W.Thompson and CHIEF Justice W ate the yalua-
bic furniture and paintings. The rousseau of the
bride, and the wedding presents were OF course
the first things thought ol, and the greater por-
ton was conveyed TO a place of safety. The
water streaming down the walls and ceilings
DID great damage to the carpets and furniture.
Mr. Foster is of the opinion that the insurance
many articles valuable for their associate
were lost, and it is difficult To place money
value on them, as they could not be replaced.
A large crowd collected about the house and
much sympathy was expressed for the family,
especially because ii was ON the eve of the we'd
ding. 1t was ascertained that the fire origi-
mated In servants room In the attic, where "a
small sheet-iron stove stood near To the wood
wrOk which had ignited.
The house this morning, both inside and out,
presented rather 1orlOrn appearance. The
walls were covered with Al shooting OF ice and
lclcles hung from the caves and windows. ln-
side the furniture was piled around i'm confu-
sion. The carpets We're torn up and the cell
ings and walls were soaked with water. Mr..
Foster went over the house with Mr.. Howard
was found that the loss TO the eX-In mister would
not be very great. The largest item is damage
TO the wardrobes OF the LADIES OF the family,
which were in the second story and were
drenched by the water thrown on the lire. Ii Is
impossible TO tell for this reason what the ac-
uai loss is but ii is thought that il Will be FULLY
covered by insurance. The house was owned
by Mr.. f.. l.. Dent, having been built by Clark
Mills, and the damage to the building is also
covered by insurance. Mr.. Foster and his fam
lily have been received Into the hospitabe
homes OF Chief Justice Waite and Mr.. Iuhu w
for the wedding of Miss Edith Foster, which
Will take place this evening according 10 the an
Engagements already made, the only exception
being that the reception Will he held al the Te-
sidence of Mr.. Charles Nordhoff Oh h street.
The Snow Law.
OLD ORDINANCES IN FORCE IN THE DISTRICT
WHAT HOUSEHoLDERS ARE REQUIRED To DO.
In reply to an inquiry made by correspond
ent, THE STAR publishes the laws enforced in
sidewalks. These laws found i'm Webb's
Digest, and are sections numbered Is and 10,
page 1913, and section %, page go. Section Is
says: ''Tensnts and occupants, and i'm case
there are no tenants or occupants, the owners,
or any person having care of any building
bordering on any street, open space or public
reservation in this city where there is any loot
way or sidewalks, shall cause the snow TO be
regulations: In the day time, within four
hours after the snow ceases TO fall: If the
snow falls in the night time, before o'clock in
the forenoon succeeding such fall: under a pen
atty of not less than two nor more than five
dollars, and of not less than fifty cents more
than two dollars for each and every four hours
the same shall remain after the prescribed time:
these provisions and regulations to apply as
well to snow that may fall from any building
any part thereof adjoining any building or lot of
ground on any street, shall be encountered with
case there be no occupant, the owner, or any
person having the care of such building or lot
to cause such sidewalk to be made safe and con-
venient by removing therefrom The ice, or by
covering the same with sand some other
suitable substance: and in case such owner or
occupant. or other person, shall neglect SO TO do
for the space of six hours during the
forfeit aud pay a sum not less than two nor
more than ten dollars tor every day the same
shall continue SO encumbered."
section 23 says: ut shall be the duty of the
commissioners OF Improvements, soon as
practicable after every fall of snow to have the
same removed from the flag fOotways and pave
ments on the south line of the open spaces on
the north side Of Pennsylvania avenue,
from LIST to 18th street west, the expense
whereof shall be paid out of the appropriation
of the respective wards
These ordinances of the old corporation are
still in force ana carried out by the District
Commissioners and by the Police Court.
MARRIAGE LICENSES. Marriage licenses
have been issued by the clerk of the court to
Lee Weich and Mary shivers; Felix +. b, rne
H. Boose and Laura Johnson, both of Montgom-
cry county, Md; ]. Walter Robertson, of Chi
eago. III and Caroline NJ. Wyyille; John ..
Evans, of Lynchburg, Va, and Martha w. Will
liams. OF Roanoke City, Va; w. A. scherer and
Margaret v: Baumgardner, both of Montgom-
cry county, Nd; Allen Macy Dulles, of Detroit,
to Edith F. Foster John Dove and Mary
BERTHE NJ. Swank; Thos. Turner, of Pittsburg,
and Eliza Roy; Lewis .. Knowles. of William
son, n. c., and Lilly E Beck; Richard Robinson
and Mary Bush.
OFFICERS OF THE BAR ASSOCIATION ELECTED.
The Bar association last evening held its an
nual meeting at the court house and elected
the following officers: J. 6. Payne, president;
A. 3. Worthington and R. R. Perry, vice presi-
dents. G.. A Elliot Secrpfarv. A Rradley