Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-01-01


At the time Secretary Tracy's house burned
down Mr.. Letter determined TO have escapes
put In his house, but this was never done.
MI. J. Letter was the first to turn in an
alarm from the box at 10th street and Massa-
chusetts avenue.
WHAT CHIEF LOWE saw.
Assistant Chief Lowe, who was Of the engine
house near by on New Hampshire avenue, was
| among the first at the scene Of action,
Ing up ton or twelve feet from
the roof. He told STAR reporter that he had
never seen q fire gain such Roadway in 80 short
time. It looked then if the whole struc-
tnre must Co. The fire department was him
dered and delayed somewhat by the horrible
made it very hard work for the horses to pull
the heavy engines and trucks.
WASTING NO TINE.
Mr.. John Rock, the Scotch msjor-domo Of
the Establishment, was in the neighborhood
when the fire was discovered. He
wasted no time in getting back home
and marshaling his forces for the
work Of saving the valuables. Mr.. Letter him
self, who was at home at the time with his son
and his nephew, Mr.. Remington, who is visit
ing at the house, also did yeomens service as
volunteer fremen.
There was large dinner party at the house
last night, at which Secretary Blaine, the owner
OF the house, was present.
MISS MAMIE LETTERS NAP SPOILED.
Miss Mamie Letter, the young debutante Of
the family, was at dance antil Q late hour this
morning with the result what she had not made
her appearance for the day when the fire broke
out. She was notified at once and no time
was lost in getting her TO a place of
remarkably cool and level headed through il
all and there was nothing like the excitement
among them that would naturally have been
expected under such circumstances.
to New York yesterday, 30 che was not at home
at the time. She will not find as many hand
some gowns in her outfit when she gets back az
she left when she went away.
AN ARMFUL.
During the most exciting times ono burly
fireman was seen threading his way through
the showers Of water and debris with huge
double armful Of the daintiest lace and silk
frocks Of the most delicate hues. He
had discovered them in one of the
upstairs closets and was doing his best for the
however. for at the bottom of the pile in his
arms fire was smoulderins and everything
WAS covered with ashes and burnt wood.
THE GRIEF OF A MAID.
One Of the maids sat on q lounge Of
the head Of the stairs and fairly wept
at the thought of the closets full Of ball
and dinner gowns that would never see
candle or gas light again. As she remarked,
how could any one talk about estimating the
damage when there were all those big closets,
boxes and trunks filed with precious articles
that the least suspicion of fire or water would
ruin beyond repair.
TO THE ARLINGTON.
As soon % the fire was we'll over and every
thing had been done that could be done, Mr..
Letter and the other members Of the family
went to the Arlington, where they will prob
ably remain until the house has been put in
order again. The work Of repair will be begun
without delay.
THE STREET SCENES.
The fact that it was New Year day and holt
day gave q somewhat interesting appearance to
the great crowds that assembled at Dupont
Circle and watched the flremen at work. Many
men in dress suits and full calling appare!
were In the jam. Some Of them looked ex-
ceedingly damp and demoralized as they stood
In the slush and driZZle. In the house, too.
there were lackeys and walters in swallow-tail
coats or livery, who looked much the worse for
smut and water.
NIB LETTER HAD NO INSURANCE.
Mr.. Letter told STAR reporter that he had
no insurance at all upon his belongings in the
house. Mr.. Blaine, he understood, was in
sured. Most Of the paintings and other movea-
bles in the house, he said were his own prop
erty, although there was considerable that be-
longed to Mr. Blaine. He thought that all the
valuable things had been saved and the DAM
age to the moveables was mainly confined to
the carpets.
WHEN THE fIREMEN FIRST ARRIVED.
Engine Company No. /, which is on K be-
tween 10th and 18th streets, was the first CON-
pany to reach the fire. When they got in sight
of the burning building the whole top of the
house looked like solid mass of flames. The
fire had gained considerable headway, but il
did not take the fremen long to get the flames
under control.
KEEPING THE CROWD BACE.
Heavy ropes were stretched on the opposite
side of the street to prevent the general pub
lie from reaching the building. The police
reserves from the various precincts were on
hand soon after the alarms were sounded, and
they were kept busy guarding the property and
keeping the crowd back.
CHARGED WITH LARCENY.
Policeman Wannell made one arrest. He
took DR.. Charles A. Davis in custody on a
charge of petty larceny. The officer charged
that the doctor took silk handkerchief, q
miniature set Of dominoes and two pieces of a
manicure set, the property of some one in the
Letter residence. He was taken to the third
precinct station, where he left $40 collateral for
his appearance in the Police Court tomorrow.
THE ALARMS.
The FIRST alarm was sounded from box No.
319, which is at Goth street and Massachusetts
avenue. Five minutes later O second alarm was
sounded, nine strokes, which called out addi-
tional companies. Five minutes after this gen.
eral alarm, ten strokes, was sounded, bringing
out nearly the entire department. No. s Engine
Company transferred to No. house. near 18th
and q streets, where the members were kept in
readiness in case of another fire.
MR.. JOS. LETTERS ACCOUNT OF 1T.
Mr.. joe Letter was in the house when the
fire broke out. 81 was sitting in the library, ~
he said to STAR reporter, when Lomax the
colOred man who has charge of the furnaces,
came rushing down stairs and said he smelled
SIN oke ON the third floor. ran up and soon
learned that the fire had started in the linen
room, where other articles are also stored
THE door was locked, and, without stopping
to further investigate it, l ran across to both
street and Massachusetts avenue to turn in the
alarm. When l returned the fire had reached
the elevator shaft and burned down two stories
to the pantry. have no idea how the fire
could have originated"
THE DAMAGED MANSION
The house was erected by Mr. Blaine. about
ten years ago and was the first residence Of any
consequence that had been erected in that 10
cality since Senator Stewart built Castle Stew
art, which also fronts on Dupont Circle The
fact that Mr.. Blaine was building fine house
gave o boom to property in all that locality, and
the high Dricea that are ohfaipad for