The morning call., 1891-06-09
RAZED TO THE GROUND.
A Beer Saloon Demolished to
Make Way for a Railroad.

The residents in the neighborhood of
Race street and the proposed route of the
Reading Terminal and pedestrians in that
vicinity to the number Of nearly two thou
sand gathered around Ills Race street on
Tuesday, says the Philadelphia Times,
when Contractor L. B. Jordan's workmen
began tearing down the building. The men,
with crOwbars and axes, were making
bricks, mortar, plaster and Splinters fly.
notwithstanding that the place was still
tenanted.
The house has been a beer saloon for
many years aud the name of the proprie-
tress is Mrs. Wilhelmina Braun. There
was much commOtion among the spectators.
which increased to great excitement when
the demolshers began t. dnnihilate the bar
room, W ilh its fixtures and contents. Beer
aud other beverages of more or less in-
toxicating character were soon flowing
freely, and the efforts of those who tried to
stop the waste of the liquids by putting a
large share where they thought il would do
the most good, added to the intense excite
ment of the hundreds who sympathized with
the woman who was being evicted. almost
reached the proportions of riot.
Word was carried to the police authorities,
and a squad of patrolmen was detailed to
the scene to prevent an actual outbreak of
hOstilitieS, and the march of public improve
ment continued peaceably on its irresistible
way.
Mrs. Braun, who had been warned to
move some time before the demolition OF
her dwelling was begun, declined to CO so,
as she had been there twelve years under
the same landlord. had lease on the prem
ises that had four more years to run, and
had just been granted license for next
year, and she could not understand why she
sh0nld have to get out.
The first lntlmatlOn the little woman had
OF the approaching storm was about fifteen
days ago, when stranger came into the sa-
loon and told her that she must move in
about week, as railroad was to be built
where the house stood. She communicated
the message to her bartender and tall,
nobby-lOOklng young man whom she en-
ployed as cashier. None of the trio could
corral the situation, but after several visits
from the strange man Mrs Braun promised
to move out by Saturday last provided the
railroad people should pay her for her trOu-
bic. She was offered $500 to get out in five
days.
Tuesday morning the strange man entered
the saloon with a dozen workmen. He
calmly walked upstairs and q little later
down crashed part of the roof into the
empty lot adjoining the house. Every once in
while there. would be Lreclend0us crash.
Finally the climax was reached. The men
were ordered TO attack the bar-room and its
fxings. Bottles, TASKS, denIijohns, ale.
wines, beer, whisky, sarsaparllla, ginger
pop, cigars, bird-cageS, flowers, tin signs,
glasses and ma:ch-b0xes were carried out
on the pavement ana into the back yard.
Kegs were burst and thirsty onIookers
helped themselves.
1t was at this stage Of the proceedings
that Sergeant and ten policemen from the
Sixth District arrived and formed a semi
circle of blue coats and brass buttons on the
Race-stre side of the semi-razed saloon.
Mrs. Braun decided that discretion should
supplant yalor and she determined to va
cate. Two furniture wagons were secured,
house at al Brandywine street was rented
and In less than two hours what was left of
the stock. fixtures and furniture was trans
ported to the new place of abode.
Mrs. Braun has since consulted a lawyer
and VOWS she will make somebody pay
dearly for her loss.