The Washington times., 1904-12-21

The Metropolitan clubhouse, the home
of the leading social club of Washing
zen. was gutted by flames at an early
hour this morning
Fire broke out in the basement of the
building at 5 o'clock and within an
haur and g half had burned its way
through tae structure from the lover
floor 70 the roof. destrovfag elegant eftsss
fixtures, furniture and equipment. caus-
ing total loss of at least $4,000 and
making it necessary for the club TO re-
build.
May Have to Rebuild.
While the building was not burned
TO the ground, the flames undermined
the walls and weakened the general
structure to such an extent that 1t is
considered impracticable to remodel the
building.
The total insurance on the structure
and contents amounted 10 about Se0, coo,
OF which $4,000 was on the building
alone. The loss fell heaviest on the
stock, and only by the praisewortlay
efforts Of the fire department. was the
club saved from much greater loss.
The Library Saved
Almost by a miracle the library OF the
best selected collection of its kind il
ihe world. was saved from harm Bar
ring a little damage by water, the
library is intact.
The handsome club paintings were
a.<o saved, partly by the energy OF
the clubmen themselves and partly by
the stubborn fight of the frenen against
the devouring flames The expensive
oe tho cV.-o rooms
the club exchequer was heavily taxed.
was badly damaged.
The linen clost. containing thousands
OF dollars worth of newly imported
German linen. stamped with The clubs
name ard cherished above ali else than
the library, was in the center OF the
furnace Of fire and not a shred OF cloth
IS left The wine cellar. on the other
hand. is saved. though a foot of water
is standing on the floor
Discovery of the Fi,e.
The night watchncan, old '.Bisnaa rex
Deponai. faithful servitor OF the club
for more than thirty years, was the first
TO discover the blaze and turn in the
alarm.
By this time the interior of the build
ing was in flames. The angry tongues
of fire darted from joist to flooring, and
up the broad stairways to the upper
stories. The elevator shaft famed and
fiared. and from it the fire crept out
and devoured the surrounding woed-
Work
When the first ~nnaratus. Engine Com
pany No. l, arrived on the scene. the
whole building was in flames. and the
ertire neighborhood was Illuminated by
the angry glare The flames shot high
in air-the flagstaff was topped, the wln-
dows blazed, and TO the excited crowd
that began TO I'LL the streets it seemed
inevitable that the entire building must
be destroyed.
Five alarms IN all were sent in. the
last by Chief Engineer Belt. as soon
IS he arrived and realized the gravity
- the situation This las cal. was an
swered by every piece of apparatu tus IL
Re- department., except chose held In re-
serve. In brief space OF time eleven
engines were pouring their streams upon
the fire, the wateT-tower was ut work.
and truckmen from every srct:cn . the
city were clambering over anG. through
the apparently doomed building.
Firemen Work Hard.
The firemen worked like beavers They
were alQed DN members OF the cIuD from
the club chambers and by other mem
bers whom the swift spreading alarm
summoned TO the building. a group OF
young society men returning from the
Gaff reception and dance were among
the most active in their efforts TO save
valua BILE club property
Dr. William Penn Compton who lives
Just across II Street. rushed over half