Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-10-28
WILLARD HAIL BURNED OUT.
An Exciting Fire, which Alarmed the Guests
of the Hotel

Of the Hotel.
Early last evening Willard Hail. situated in
the rear Of Wizards Hotel on F street between
l4th and 18th streets. was Quilted by fire which
at one time threatened to spread TO the
hotel, by which il is nearly surrounded.
few minutes before Capt. A.
T. Cunningham, passing along street,
discovered smoke issuing from the building,
and h. at once al 'rmed the hotel people. The
employees OF the hotel were Immediately
formed a fire brigade and assisted by a num-
Der Of citizens. fought the flames, which were
discovered to be under and abou; the stage in
the hall The chemical engine company was
summoned and they also assisted. Their eff
forte we're unavailing. however. and Officer
SVrinkel Of the first precinct attempted to
turn in alarm from box li5, on 14th street
just below +. he box failed to work and he
then ran Ia box li6, 18th aud @ streets, and
turned in alarm from there.
During the DELAY the flames gained consider
able Roadway, and although the fire department
responded promptly, the interior OF the hall
appeared To be IA mass of flames when ther ar
rived. A general alarm was also turned in, but
before all of the companies had arrive the fire
had been gotten under control Owing to the
thickness of the walls and the good work of the
firemen the flames confined to the hail.
with the result that only the interior of the
building seriously damaged. The fire
burned tierceSt in this part of the hall in which
the stage situated. and that was total loss
Most of the chairs were destroyed and the cell
ing badly damaged.
While no damage was done the hotel building
the store room of the house, which was situated
beneath the hall, was considerably damaged
mostly BY water. The room well filed with
provisions. but II was well insured and 50, 900,
Mr. Staples thought. would fully cover the loss
there Mr.. Joseph G. Willard, the owner of
the property. was seen by STAR reporter this
morning. and stated that while he had not fully
examined into the matter the insurance on the
building would. he thought. cover all the dam
age. IL Is though: that SO 900 will more than
cover the loss
THE QUESTS ALARMED.
Naturally, the fire alarmed the guests Of the
hotel not n little but iIr. Staples and his en-
ploves soon Gained their fears Some little
smoke penetrated into the hotel building, but
that wa- about all the damage done it, and not
few Of the guests in crested spectators
Of the work Of the tiremen.
II lie thought that the ire was due TO sponta-
neoUS combustion, quantity of paint and oil,
IL said having been stored beneath the
stage The Choral Society have been using the
hall for their rehearssls. and their valuable mu-
seal library was there at the time. Fortu-
na,ely l. was rescued with but triilng loss. Mr..
Frank q. Netzerott the treasurer OF the soci-
ETY. lost 500 piano. however, which the So
cIety used
BUILDING WITH A HISTORY.
Wizards Hall Il one of the historic buildings
Of the CITY II was for many wears the princi-
pal public hall in the city and has been the
scene OF MANY famous entertainments and
pVriic balls. Here numerous conventions and
gatherings of different kinds have been held.
Perhaps the most notable convention
he here - n
ton in 1851. for which such
great things we're expected. Since 1859
il has been the property Of the Willard
brothers. and in July last it passed into the
elusive Ownership of Mr.. Joseih c. Willard as
part Of the hotel property, which was at that
time sold a; public auction. At time the
hall Wa occupied a. a church by the Uni - ian
congregation of this city Ii was originally
used church. and for number of wears
was occupied by the leading congregation of
PTe-bytcrIans In TINS city. People who not
very old recoilect the of Rev. DR..
Laurie. He served as pastor of this church
from 1903 until his death in 1853. The
church organized by a number of persons
who we're connected with the Associate Re-
formed church in fhI,adel phia and who came
TO this CITY when the seat of government was
removed here In 1900. Many of them were in
the service Of the government. Joseph Nourse,
who was fOr many years the register of the
treasury, was elder in the church. and the
pastor. EeT. DIR. Laurie, was employed In the
Treasury Department. The congregation sub
sequently became connected with the Presby-
terrain Church, ard soon after DIR. Laurie's
death Rev. Hhineas b. Gurley was
called TO the Vastorate. In 1859 the
building sold 20 the Willards and the con-
gregttiOu Of the Second Presbyterian Church.
having united with 1.-The + Street Church. a new
edifce was erected on the site of the Seaond
Church This building. changed and altered.
Is nov hnOwn as the New York Avenue Presby-
terian Church.