Evening star., 1895-07-24

covered by the insurance in the Columbia
and Arlington Companies. Mr.. Bryan had
an insurance of about 5000 on his stock,
which was probably worth about three
times that amount. At this season of the
year he carries a much smaller stock than
he would during the winter, and a great
deal of 1t was in the form of fancy, canned
and bottled groceries. which were not in
jured either by fire or water.
The third and fourth floors of the building
were occupied as store rooms by number
of Mr.. Bryan's customers. 1t was impos-
sible to learn today just what was stored
there, who the individual owners were or
what their losses will amount to. 1t was
not run as regular warehouse, but, as he
had the vacant rooms Mr.. Bryan accom-
modated his customers by letting them use
the rooms. He told Star reporter today
that while he vas not certain he thought
there was about twelve or fifteen people
who had their belongings there.
The Burned building.
A quarter of a century ago the building
which went up in fame and smoke at an
early hour this morning was a noted place
of resort. It has had that character of re-
cent years. but for entirely different rea-
sons. Older residents of the city will re-
member the house which stood on the site
OF the Y. NJ. c. A. building, with ample
grounds about it, extending on the west
side nearly to the corner of 18th street and
New York avenue. In the seventies this
old residence was, enlarged and remodeled
and was given the appearance which It had
up to the time of the fire. 1t was then oc-
cupied by the Washington Club, a social
organization composed of well-known citi-
zens: After time the property was leased
by Mr. John Chamberlin, where he car
ried on business for number of years.
During the occupancy by Mr. Chamberiin
the building was purchased by the Y. NJ. c.
A and fitted up for its use. Formal posses
sion of the premises was taken by the as
sociation the 10th of October 1882. 1t was
bold step. The association at that time
was not in a very fiourishing condition. 1t
had left the old Lincoln Hall building which
1t had occupied for SO many years. and it:
was quartered In small building on E
street between Sth and 9th streets. 1t
seemed at that time as If the association
was Mr.. T. A. Harding, and his energy and
enterprise contributed largely to the policy
adopted by the association. The price
agreed upon for the property was $32, 900.
to undertake the payment of such a large
sum. Still the members of the association,
confident that they would receive the CO.
operation of the citizens of Washington, de-
shows. these expectations were not disap-
pointed. During the thirteen years that
have elapsed the association has paid all
the purchase price of the property, with
the exception of s., 500, and in addition has
spent some $4,000 OF $4,000 in the erection
of a gymnasium and In making other neces-
sary improvements In addition. the scope
of the work Of the association has been en-
larged and the membership has increased
until the necessity for larger build
ing has been recognized for several years
past as pressing one.
Christian Endeavor Committee.
The Christian Endeavor committee of '96,
whose headquarters were burned out by
the Y. NJ c. A. fire, will hold a meeting at
4:3O today at Judge Taylor's office, 1918 F
street. to consider the question Of new
headquarters.
Drove Over the Hose.
William Nelson, colored hackman, was
arrested at the fire for driving his vehicle
over and injuring the hose. The policeman
who made the arrest took him to the Police
Court, where he was tried. Nelson claimed
that he drove two policemen to the fire,
and he had to cross the hose to get out Of
the crowd. This. the Judge told him, was
not a good excuse. 1t Is a violation OF law
to drive over the hose, and a fine of IS was
imDoSed