Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-12-27
BALrIMORE.s RUINED TEMPLE.
The Loss Not - Great a. Was Feared II
First.

The Loss Not - Great - was Feared II
First.
The Grand Lodge Of Masons expended sS70..
900 on the Baltimore Masonic Temple and it,
equipments. Mr.. J. W. Medairy, grand secre-
tary, sAid yesterday that fortunately the greater
portion of the jewels and valuables Of the
Grand Lodge were stored in his private safe at
his warehouse. Referring to the debt on the
structure Mr.. Medairy stated that the Grand
Lodge owed the Eutaw Savings Bank gill. 600.
covered by a mortgage on the building, and
were indebted to that bank to the extent of
$4,000 on ground rents. The ground upon
which the present Masonic Temple was built
was purchased in April, 1856, and the corner
stone was laid November 20 Of the same year
President Andrew johnson, once past grand
master, took part in the ceremony and the
grafton was delivered by the Hon. John II. B.
Latrobe. Mr.. Brantx Mayer composed the poem
read on the occasion. The gold trowel used on
the occasion had been used in laying the cor
ner stone Of the old temple on st. Paul street,
fifty years before. and had also taken part in
the corner stone layings of the Washington
monument and of the Baltimore and Ohio rail-
road. The temple which this one displaced is
now occupied by the circuit court Of Baltimore
city. 1t was purchased for this purpose by the
city in 1857 for $4,000.
mated from $50, 900 to $780, 600. but the ma
jority seem to think that the rebuilding can be
done at cost OF about $50, 600. very large
additional loss was on the fixtures in the shape
Of remarkably handsome carpets, furniture and
historical relics.
The commandery rooms of the Knights
Templar, which were situated in the top story
and which were entirely DESTROYED, embraced
the central room. which was magnifcently fur
nished. and smaller rooms around the larger
one, which contained the magnificent para
phernalia belonging to the Templars. In ad-
dition to the loss Of the communicates as
whole, the individual members suffered greatly.
Each member was obliged to own uniform.
which was, az rule, kept in the building. No
one of these outfits cost less than $3.50, and
some Of them high ~ $3.50. the average
being little over 1900. AS there were 500 suits
of this regalia, the total amount of this one
item of loss is somewhat over 100000. When
the loss to the communicates is added the aggre-
gate will amount up to the neghbOrhood of
Sl25,0O0 In the Royal Arch Chapter rooms
by fire or water.
Forepaugh lost every bit of the scenery which
belonged to him. and Gray and Stevens lost all
OF their scenery and other effects except the
small amount Of clothing which was still in the
trunks.
The loss Of Forepaugh is about 80 900, and
OF the travelling company abou: SIC, 900, as
stated by one OF the managers.
The board Of managers and the Grand CON-
mandery were in session last evening to con-
slider what is best to be done in the presence Of
the disaster to the temple. Marshal Airey
called upon the gentlemen and showed them a
telegram from Mr.. Window. Secretary of the
Treasury, instructing him to give the Masonic
fraternity the use of the old United States
court house as the brethren had requested. MIR.
Fred Bracket of the Treasury Department,
went over from Washington later and formally
Id
used by them until the temple is rebuilded.
Grand Master Shyrock says that under the
most favorable circumstances the reconstructed
building cannot be made ready for use in less
time than year. The old United States court
house will be put in order for work by Monday
evening next