New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-12-26
A MASONIC TEMPLE BURNED
CHRISTMAS IN BALTIMORE DISTURBED BY
BIG FIRE
A TOTAL LOSS OF ABOUT $3.50 ooO-MUCH vALU.
ABLE PROPERTY OF THE MAsoNS
DESTROYED.
IBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TklnUNE.l

tBr TELEGRAPH TO TIE TKIBUNE.l
B1ltnore, Dec. 25.-The Masonic Temple, In
cludng Forepaugl's Theatre, was destroyed by
lire to-day and the handsome building is tonight
a mass of smouldcrng ruins upon which, in the
face of a furious snow and wind storm, the fire
men are still Mt work The total loss will be
about $3.50, 900, upon which the insurance is
about ZOO, divided up in Ncw-Yorll and New
England companies The main hall of the temple
which used a theatre, was reached by two
narrow starways, and had the fire broken out
two hours later when the Christmas matinee was
III progress there would undoubtedly have been
great loss of life, the place iire-trdp from
which. in time of panic. escape would have
been difficult The Gray and Stephens Vcsper
Bell Company had the boards this week and
nearly every seat in the house had been sold for
the matinee performance.
The stage carpenter and his assistants arrived at
the theatre about l. o'clock. and they had bcen
AZ work only a few minutes when they discovered
smoke issuing from cracks in the ceiling above the
flies. An alarm was given Immediately, but the
fire spread between the theatre ceiling and the
flooring of the lodge rooms above. Three alarms
were sounded. and the news that the Temple was
burning was soon known all over the city. and
members of the fraternity many Of them promi-
ing and assisted in saving valuable
records and the archives Of the order.
The gallery Of portraits of all tie past grand
masters Of Maryland and other prominent Masons
WAS destroyed by the IRE. aud Cornthian Hall,
ihc asylum Of the communicates, with their cc
g.nt furniture and drapcrics, was soon part of the
general ruin.
When the fire broke ont Christmas services
were in progress in ST. Paul Protestant Episcopal
Church in CharlcS-ave.. adjoining the Temple.
The rector quietly Informed tie congregation that
there no immediate danger, and all left the
church without any trouble. The church was
uniniurd The fire caused considerable excite
mcnt throughout the city The Temple occu-
pied prominent site on the top of hll and
the fire could ne seen from all parts Of the city.
About o'cocl, the side and rear walls fell
III. bat no one hurt
The Temple was erected in 1867. and has cost
the Nasous Of Maryland over 5000. 600. The
original cost of construction VA, about SljO.0oo.
but 80 much moW ha, been expended IN irving
t. remedy Tie defects To- tie building and IN
making Improvements. The building has Kept
the fraternity IN Maryland i'm debt ever since
lis construciion and only tcw weeks ago ih"
order realized over SG0u0O from grand Masonic
fair held Tor th" purpose Of c.carin- thr u"'"o"
.cbt ON tie property. several prominent Mason,
s1id tonight thai new huIldnS committee would
hc appointed immediately.
shortly after the arrival Of the fire department
Charles = Coal and John Kelly. hrcmrn had a
narrow escape The men were on the southwest
corner oi the front corrirc ii<ln2 their WY INT"
the building when the flames Shot from ihc
n, ,ndow. Captain Dunn. chIct OF tie chemical de
partmcnt. with tic and Of o7,4c!s placed Two lad
dcrs IN an upright position. and the men were
rescued.
DR. u Pennington. president Of the Lodge Re
lief Association. had a narrow escape while en-
ea yoring - some Of The records ~ thc order
he had climbed o tie third floor. Ll the middle of
the norfh side wicrr the rooms are aud had
,i1rtcs back with an armful OF books and papers.
becoming cOniuscl be m>took the door 70 An
,nic-room for the main emit. Pirlun- up large
b,uk hr knocked ont The window Of thc small
room and was climbing 10 tie main "Nit, when
Ic frN Iist rs the roof wts crushed nm. Philip
kcI. plSt master. was f"l'oWiuc him and pulled
him away leforc hc was injured. The fir il sup
posed To- have bru caIscd by AN rcrric WIre.