The National tribune., 1892-01-21

10 send out moro ships-of-war. The old mont
tors which were used during the war and
which arc now anchored in the James River
below Richmond, will be furnished with six
aud eightinch brcech loading rifles for use as
coast and harbor defense vessels, from the
Washington gun factory before many months
The engines in these vessels are all right, and
it would take but short time to prepare them
for active work. Calculations are now being
made at the Navy Department to ascertain
what will actually be necessary in case the
Atlantic harbOrs should need protection, but
no orders have as yet been issued.
a.
Mrs. and Miss Elkins. after inspecting nearly
every available house in the city, have secured
n large brOwnstOne house on Mcpherson Square,
the property Of ex.Minister Palmer. The
COrcoran home, with its large grounds, pleased
them and they tried to lease it, but the owners
refused. After the arrangements for renting
the Palmer house were completed word was
sent to the Secretary that an offer for tho Cor
coran house would be considered. It was too
late then, however, to do anything about it.
The Secretary and his wife have sent on to their
New York home for their carpets, hangings,
and furniture, and the house is to be put in or
der as soon as possible. They expect to be able
TO welcome their friends there within a week
or 10 days
The Church Of the Covenant. the one which
President Harrison selected to worship in when
he came to Washington, is what would be consid
cred unlucky" by superstitious people. 1t is
one Of the handsomest structures in Washing
ton. and is situated at the corner Of Connecticut
avenue and n street northwest in the aristo-
cratic section Of the city. Aug. %, 1888, as the
building was nearing completion, the last stones
in the immense tower having been laid the day
before, the tower fell upon the church, Ieveling
il almost TO the ground, making it necessary to
rebuild the entire structure. On Saturday,
Jan. l6, while Dr. Hamlin was writing in his
study in the chapel which adjoius the main
edifee, he noticed smoke arising from the lower
floor. fastening to the basement, he found
the engine-room a mass Of flame. The Doctor
was the only person in tho building, and seeing
that the fire had progressed too much to be
COPIED with single handed, he rushed to the
street aud gave an alarm. The entire FIRE de-
partment was soon at the scene of the con1a-
grafton, as general alarm was at once turned
in. The fremen at first thought the flames
could be confined to the basement, but this
was soon found to be impossible, and the
roof and upper portions of the chapel
were soon in blaze. The fire depart
ment worked like beavers, and very soon
dozen streams were playing upon the flames
from every side The slippery condition Of the
roof greatly impeded the work of eztinguish-
ing the flames, it being so cold that the water
would freeze as IL triekled down the roof The
fire finally began 10 yield to the united efforts
Of the fremen, but il was considerably over an
hour before the flames were under control.
The origin Of the fire is supposed to have been
thespOntaHeOUs combustion Of some waste which
was in the engine room, although some persons
thought it was due TO the explosions of some
gas bags which were in the engine room. An
investigation Of the chapel after the fire was
extinguished revealed a sorry sight The
interior OF the Sunday-school room was a
wreck-the walls were burned and blackened;
the chairs and other furniture had been
knocked about by streams of water which had
been thrown from the engines, aud there were
several inches Of water on all the floors, while
the basement was flooded. The pastors library
was but little damaged, however, it being at the
furthest point from where the flames burned
most fcrceIy. Several beautiful stained glass
windows in the chapel were completely
wrecked by either the FIRE or the streams Of
water Tho body Of the main building was
filed with smoke, but no water was thrown
into this structure, and no damage was done ex-
cept the DETACHMENT Of the walls, painting and
uphOlstering by the smoke. The great memo
rial windows were intact. and the communion
service which is very valuable and handsome,
was also uniniured. The loss upon the chapel
is variOusly estimated at between $4,000 and
| $2j, 600. The chapel was occupied first in 1855,
and the church in 1890. During the progress
Of the flames President Harrison drove to the
church and was an interested spectator Of the
efforts Of the fremen in putting out the FIRE,
and Vice President Morton was also present.
80
A large number Of naval officers are not at
AL pleased with the President for renting
the remainder Of Commander McCallas SEN
tenee, which they say Is prejudieial to naval
discipline, and puts McCalla ahead Of men
who should command him instead Of he them.
They attribute his getting OF so easily to his
money, and his powerful political pull espe-
eiAlly with leading Democrats, with ex-Secre-
| tary Whitney at the head, to whom McCalla
| tOadied ObsequiOusy when the latter was at
the head Of the Navy Department.