The National tribune., 1892-11-03
AN OLD LANDMARK GONE,
Historic Willard Hall Destroyed by Flame
After Stuf,bnrp Fight.

Historic Willard Hall Destroyed by Flames
After Stubborn Fight.
Old Willard Hall, on F street, between Four
teenth and Fifteenth streets northwest. was
burned out on the evening of Thursday. Oct.
81. between $50 and o'clock A serious and
extensive fire was ayerted by the extraor-
binary exertions of the fire department. The
flames were discovered after they had gained
considerable Roadway by Capt Cunningham.
who at once notified the hotel people. The
employees of the hotel had been instructed in
fre-drill and they were at once put into ssrv-
ice, aud, assisted by citizens. they put the hotel
hose in operation, while others formed bucket
brigade
The flames were burning fercely under and
about the stage in the hall when these meas
ures were perfected, and every effort was made
to put out the fire. A general alarm was turned
in and the entire fire department was soon at
the hall. 1t was feared that the adjoining build
ings on I street would catch fire, AS well as the
big hotel of the same name as the hall would
be consumed as it is very old building and
has none of the modern fire. proof appliances,
and is built around the hall on two sides, only
being separated from it by narrow alleys.
The firemeu worked heroicaly, however,
and confined the flames within the walls of
the old hall, which appeared to be heated to
red hot heat from the outside, filling the sur
rounding chilly air with genial warmth.
After long fight the flames were subdued,
but not until the interior of the hall had been
Quilted, and the entire premises together wi tn
the basement of Wizards Hotel had been sub
merged with Potomac River water.
The store.rooms of Wizards Hotel were
Immediately under the hail. and were stored
with about $4,000 worth of provisions
and groceries and it is thought great damage
has been done, although estimate can be
made until the place is inspected by the under
writers. The goods are insured to their full
vane.
The hall has not been used for some time,
and the origin of the fire is mystery. 1t is
thought that the fire originated either in the
hotel kitchen o. laundry, or the carpentershop,
all of which are in close proximity To the hall.
The damage will probably reach $4,000.
mostly covered by insurance. The hall was
built early in the present century, and was used
as church for sometime, but was afterward
turned into theater.
NAMES GOVERNOR IN WASHINGTON.
Gen. Edwin c. Burleigh, Governor of the
State of Maine, was in Washington last week,
accompanied by his official staff and others of
the Pine Tree State. They stopped at Will
lard's Hotel and went sightseeing. They did
not remain at the Capital very long, but took
train for home after thoroughly doing the city.
The persons in the party were Gov. Edwin c.
Burlcigh, Gen. III. NJ. Sprague, Gen. John
Hopper and wife. Col. d. A. Robinson, Col.
Charles 2. Allen, Col. E. C. Harrington, Col. T.
d. PuIen. Col. g. l.. Thompson and wife. Col.
A. G.. Blunt, Col. E. NJ. Mcdonald, Col. Stanley
Plummer, Hon. j. G. Chadbourns, Capt c. B.
Hall. u. S. A.; Gen. George l.. Beal, Miss E. j.
Boardman Col. N. b. Potter Hon. Hall G. Bur-
leigh, N. w. Cookson, M. F. King and wife,
Miss King, J. +. Bracket and wife, f. NJ.
Simpson and wife, P. SpoHord and wife. Or
mand de Smith and wife, c. j. House and wife,
A. b. Packham and wife, Arthur Brown, d. C.
Wedgewood and wife, Mrs. c. M. Chapman and
A. w. ShultieH.