The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-03-19
IN ASHES.
CONTINUED from Page 3D.


II is stated that besides George II.
sance's insurance on 0rRnahns an and other
Company had go, 900 line and the Prov
idence- Washington people carried about
half as much. In this connection 1t Is
stated that two of the most cherished rel
les In the Masonic Temple were two
stones used for pedestals before grand
officers chairs, which are indissolubly
associated with Roger Williams. One
is the stone he stepped foot upon
when he landed here and the other
is one upon which the Indian
chief and himself smoked the pipe OF
peace. There was also in What Cheer Hall,
besides the portraits OF past masters,
taken many dollars, 1t being one OF the
oldest clocks In the world.
For long time today IL was thought
that the front wall on Pine street, with its
top heavy corner, must inevitably fall,
and II not demolish that part of the
Providence Opera House adjacent to 1t,
wreak destruction on at least passer-sby.
Inspector OF Buildings Spencer A. Hop
kins was here, there, and everywhere,
and with the aid OF Chief Of Police Baker
arranged for pulling the tottering wall
down, the plan being to attach ropes
from the interior as soon as the hot ruins
would permit, and with the aid OF steam
road roller on Dorrance street, below
Friendship. pull the dangerous mass
inside the ruins. The road
roller was preferred because,
with the smart south wind blowing up,
the jerky movements OF men pulling on
ropes might permit the wind to take
mean advantage of the relaxed tension and
blow the wall IN the wrong direction.
The police were also ordered to keep
everybody from in front of the place ex-
cept firemen and policemen. This was
done because some prominent persons had
taken lady friends under the ropes to show
them the ruins.
The question Of rebuilding the Masonic
Temple has been broached and inquiry
brings out the fact that 1t will never be
rebuilt in the same place, but that fine
business structure will I'LL the location
and the Masons will worship uptown. The
most likely site suggested would seem TO
be that where the Perry Davis building
Is, that estate being in the market. An
bther suggestion is the Dyer estate, corner
OF Mathewson street, or, perhaps, the
new public market might do, but the
majority of the Masons seen are not sure
OF getting public market soon enough.
Fire Notes.
About 10 O'Clock o. p Dill OF Hook
and Ladder 8 narrowly escaped being
killed while at work on the Astle build
ing when number OF heavy timbers
gave away and came crashing down. AS
il was he was very seriously injured about
the head and face and was taken to his
home in carriage.
The awning Of Handy's drug store 163
Weybosset rect, and the roof of the
building, 126 Weybosset street, were set
on fire by flying sparks.
The fire is supposed to have caught in
the basement, but no one could tell how.
The janitor left the building at IL 80
nd Cafd hat y, inn ri .t hat.
he left.
Twe--.y minutes before the alrm Police
man Blood passeS - building and there
were no evidences OF fire that he noticed.
En- bers were thrown for more than a
mile. They caused the alarms from boxes
II, GA and %. The first was for a fire in
the roof of Borden and Keefe's wholesale
house on Exchange Place ana the second
for fire on the roof OF DR.. Kay's den
tist Office, PCS Westminster street, and
box 23. for fire on the roof of a house
at the corner of Clemence and Worcester
streets.
Foreman William Tiernev of the Mar
ragansett Electric Light Company was
on hand with force OF men TO look out
for wires.
n. +. Adams notified the electric people
and currents were cut out before the fall
ling walls did any damage by throwing
live wires i1to the street.
'cinity were closed for business this fore
noon, the tarrooms alone doing anything.
Fire Marshal Ira Winsor made careful
examinatio ion and Is satisfied that the fire
started in the boiler room.
1t could not be learned that any watch
man was employed in the building, al
though it Is mans duty to walk by
every hour during the night.
The snow cn the roofs OF adjoining
buildings did great deal toward pre-
venting a confiagration.
Councilman Grinnell, a postmaster OF
What Cheer Lodge lost his uniforR and a
picture of himself.
Captain Eugene Stevens of the Central
station, had very valuable jewels in the
building, but he removed them to the
sation few days ago.
Several firms around about the fire sent
sandwiches and cofies to the firemen and
Captain Ira Winsor furnished cigars.
Masons from all OF the States, Boston
and other big cities and towns, who are
members CT lodges that meet in the
Temple, came into the city during the day
and viewed the wreck.
Dorie Lodge of Aubrn has rendered the
use of Its lodge room to either or any of
the lodges that have lost their home In
the Temple.
Captain william F. McGee's famous
crockery was burned up. Captain McGee
was the first American captain to enter
the post of Canton, China.
Grand Secretary Barker is mourning
the loss OF the library and records stored
In the top story.
Wall Fell Suddenly.
Before the Inspector OF buildings and
the firemen had a chance to carry out
their intentions of pulling down the
front wall, the win blew it over against
the opera house at 3:l5 p. m. Besides
breaking off the fire escapes and demol-
ishing few panes of glass no damage
was done.
The whole front with the exception of
a portion of the northwest corner fell off
above the second story into Pine street.
No one was injured.
All Out.
The about signal came in at 1923 p. m.
Serious Charge Against a Peddler.
The trial of John Coyle, indicted fol