New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-12-22
NEW.JERSEY NEWS
1 historic BUILDING IN RUINS.
FIRE DESTROYS ALIENS OPERA HOUSE IN
NEW sWICK-ORIGINALLY BUILT
FOR MASONIC TEMPLE. 1T
PROVED 4 FAILURE AS AN

Now-Rrunswick Dec q (SpeciaD.The Allen
Theatre Building. formerly known as Masonic Han.
as told In to-days Tribune. was wholly burned
early this morning.
The Are at time threatened TO spread 10 al
joining buildings but the Fire Department sue
cccted IN confning the flames TO the Allen build-
ing The building was constructed In 1s'. AT cost
Of $30o There Is said to be insurance on the
structure. Among the occupants OF the budihe
the following are tho principal losers: Scheidig =
cafe 5000 uninsured II. r. Cooks law library,
$1,000 uninsured; city Council Chamber. 5000 in
surcd: Delta Kappa Epsilon Chapter of Rutgers
College. $500, uninsured Union Masonic Lodge,
5000 insured: Brunswick Traction Company =
offices. 5000. insured: McGowens billiard parlors,
$1,000 insured: and the Opera House drug store.
5000 uninsured. The house of ]. Ryno. adjacent
to the Allen ediflce. crushed by falling walls.
Loss. $500. uninsured.
Masonic Hall was the largest and costlcst build
ing in New Brunswick and its history is OF pecu-
liar interest In 1863 the Masonic order In this city
felt the need of larger and more suitable meeting
place The idea expanded until 1t outgrew its
original design, and contemplated. beside Masonic
meeting room. n permanent temple to Masonry. a
building which it hoped would prove profit
able investment 1t has been failure from the
start. the cherished hopes hardly once assuming
color of fruiton. Thousands of dollars sunk in
the enterprise. and many citizens of New-Bruns-
wick impoverished
In November 1863. notice given that applica
ton would be made to the Legislature TO incor-
porara the Masonic Hall Association. and on the
evening of December 10 ;s69. a meeting of the fra
tcrnity called and twenty-one persons We're
present.
Al this meeting II was determined that the
association should be composed exclusively OF mem
bers OF the fraternity. in order that distracting
elements should creep into the movement. and that
harmony and a common interest should prevail
among the members OF the order" second meet
ing was held January s. 1870. at which an act
OF incorporation was agreed upon. This act was
presented to the House OF Assembly on January
H. 1870 by Levi d. Jarrard. then a member from
this city. In a few days it was in the hands OF
Governor Parker. who signed it. and 1t became
law In 1871 a supplementary act was passed IN
crcasing the capital stock to any amount not eX-
ceedng 100000. 49,.
on May T. 1870 the site OF the building at George
and Albany SITS. was purchased for s2iot. ana me
cornerstone OF the hall was lald on octoDtf 20
1871. ,
on November a. 1919. the building was formally
dedicated At first everything seemed p!opitous; ana
the promoters of the scheme were encouraged soon
however the immense burden which the association
had assumed proved too strong for IL. The scheme
which was planned was 10 have the members sun,
scribe for stock In the Local building associations ana
then transfer the stock 10 the association Inc
drafts upon the members became too heavy duca
could be collected and claims could not be paid
The project abandoned and the property SOFA
holders was lost Contractors Were nearly ruined
and the savings of many families were swallowed up
The Union Building Loan Association bough; OUT
the other claimants and assumed control or the build
ing IL mortgaged to the Howard savings lfstl-
tuition of Newark. which foreciosed on December
isa4 Later It sold for about $4,000 10 Frank r.
recently the title passed 10 the Home builders AS
ISOLATION Of Newark Of which Mr.. Allen is president.