The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-10-14
TABERNACLE BURNED.
CHURCH DESTROYED
BEFORE DAYBREAK.

Tho Fire Probably Started by Light
ming That Ran Into the Edif1ce on
., Electric Light Wire-Two Adjoin-
i,o Dwellings Destroyed-The Loss
Covered by Insurance.
NFw York, Oct. 13.-The famous Brook
,rn Tabernacle, of which Rev. T. Dewitt
TaImape is pastor, was to-day, for the
second time in its history, tot lily destroyed
nv fire. At 2:l5 o'clock this morning a
,ouceman discovered flames issuing
from the small windows over the main
entrance. and, rushing to the nearest
si-nsl box, sent out an alarm. The
framen found that the fire had
assumed large proportions, and additional
alarms. calling all the available apparatus,
wore at once sent in. 1t became evident
that the edifice was doomed. 1t burned
like tinder box, and the firemen, despair
inc of saving it, directed their efforts to the
adjoining property.
FLIGHT OF THE NEIGHBoRS.
Many of the occupants Of the neighbor-
ing dwellings were already awake, and the
poIice proceeded to arouse those who were
sleeping. The three story frame structure
at No. S55 Schermerhorn street, adjoining
the church on the east, was the first to take
fire. and No. 355, SINH
lar structure, followed. No. 357
was also damaged. On the west side of the
church the flames extended to two brick
dwellings, and on the opposite side Of
Schermerhorn street row of three-story
brick dwellings. numbered 33S to S4S, suf-
fered from the intense heat. The window
glass in these buildings was broken and the
woodwork scorched.
THE PEOPLE PANIC-STRICKEN.
The residents of the neighborhood, awak-
ened either by the roar of the flames or by
the pounding of the police upon their doors,
became frightened and rushed out half
dressed or ii their night clothes, and the
police had great difficulty in assuring them
that they were in no danger. Fortunately,
there was no loss of life or limb. The police
carried out one old lady of so years from
No. 337 Schermerhorn street and placed
ber in house at a safe distance. All the
other inmates were able to care for them
selves.
THE CHURCH TOTALLY DESTROYED
But while the firemen aud police worked
for the salvation of property and persons,
the doomed church building was being
rapidly consumed, and in an hours time
only the tottering walls remained. Dr.
Talmage was on the scene soon after the
first alarm, and did not leave until he had
seen the edidce which had been his pride
laid in asnes. Then he returned sorrow
fully home. All day to-day crowds visited
the spot and gazed upon the ruins.
ORIGIN OF THE FIRE.
The origin of the fire is unknown. Edi-
sons men were in the building until $50
o'clock yesterday afternoon arranging a
new electric plant, and it is thought that
during q thunder shower which prevailed
during the night, lightning had been carried
into the building by the wires they
introduced, and which ran around
the gallery about on level
with where the flames were first
seen. The loss on the church building, in
cluding the organ, which was ore of the
finest in the country, is S150,000. 1t is said
to be covered by Insurance III number of
companies. The losses on the adjoining
property are small.