New-York tribune., 1905-03-08
EXPLOSION IN GARDEN.
SMOKE KILLS ANIMALS.
Fire Starts as CroYd Is Going
Valuable Tro Dhies Stolen.

otNNctC Il roy pftCCo ~ tOCCh.
A fire which did between $4,000 and $4,000
damage by water and smoke to a few of the
exhibits in Madison Square Garden, at the Mo-
tor Boat and Sportsmen's Show, caused some
wild rumors about impending explosions, owing
to the gasoleEe, said to be stored there.
The fire confined TO the northeast corner of
the building, and the chief damage TO the struct-
ure was done to some old dressing rooms on the
level Of the first and second balconies The ex-
hibits damaged were those of the Canadian Pa
clhc and Intercolonial railroads and the Aber-
croaple Fitch Company dealers in sports
nlents furnishings. In the excitement several
valuable trophy cups and medals were stolen.
When the fire broke out the entire audience.
both in the Garden itself and in the Gar
den Theatre. at the other end Of the build
Ing. had nearly left the building. The only
persons remaining We're a few men who
care for the exhibits. Some of these pre-
sumabily dropped lighted cigar or cigarette
in a pile of rubbish about II o'clock The rub
bish was near the door through which scenery
and other props are delivered in 27th-st., a
few feet from 4th-ave 1t smouldered un-
noticed for few minutes and then bazed up
An alarm of fire was turned in at once and the
men left in the Garden tried to extinguish the
flames Before they could do and just as the
hreinen arrived the fire caused a small gallon
IDLY un - the first and seco~7 ba}coliag ..f7ete
there was mach bunting. pine and spruce
ooughs and other things of f1imsy and in1aln-
mable material The Canadian exhibit which
occupied the two balconies had a small collec-
ton of rabbits squirrels, wild ducks and other
birds, mountain lion. two bears. tame deer
and covey Of partridges lent by DR. French
Some OF the animals were frightened by the
smoke but none were killed. with the exception
nTN af +ba
which was right in the line of the fire
In the confusion sneakthieves entered the
Garden after the arrival Of the firemen and
stole many valuable cups and trophies In the
Island in the middle of the lagoon was Smith
q Maltby's exhibit of nearly a score of gold and
silver cups medals and trophies won by their
boats. These were all stolen, and, aside from,
their value because of the associations their
intrinsic value amounted to several thousand
dollars. big gold and silver cup standing
about eighteen inches high, and handsomely
engraved, valued at more than $1,000, was also
reported stolen from the Panhard exhibit. also
in the middle of the Garden.
The fire spread back from the balconies to
two or three old dressing rooms. which were
empty. The firemen kept the flames from
spreading from beyond this corner. No ex-
hibits excepting those directly in line with the
fire were damaged, and these. for the most part
were damaged only by smoke and water Three
alarms were turned in for the blaze. because of
the rumor that considerable quantities of gaso-
iene was stored in the building.
The small of gasolene which exploded
when the fire started, however. was the only oil
in that portion of the building, and a much
larger quantity in the entire building, since
the motor boat people have just enough brought
10 the Garden each day to last them until the
Garden closes at night. In half an hour after
the blaze started the fire well under con-
troll and in an hours time was almost entirely
extinguished. From the amphitheatre, after the
smoke had cleared away and the lights were
turned on again. it. was almost impossible TO see
there had been a fire Not single exhibit of
motor boats was injured
The present Madison Square Garden structure
was dedicated in June, 1890 It occupies the
site of the old Garden, which is also the site of
the old Central Railroad terminal 1t was erect
ed at a cost Of $3.OO0OOO and is the largest
amusement building in the country. containing.
besides the great central auditorium, the Garden
Theatre at present leased by Henry w Savage
a spacious and beautiful concert hall, which is
little used, and roof garden. The entire build
ing, which is in large measure a copy on its
exterior of Continental architecture, the tower
in particular reproducing q famous Spanish orig
inal was the work of McKim, Mead &c White,
and he's been since its erection landmark and
an ornament to the city Augustus St Gaudens
was the sculptor Of the bronze Diana the
utmost point OF the tower. Stanford White
much of the designing in person.
The Garden auditorium proper has been the
scene of all the horse and dog shows, the cir
cuses and Wild West entertainments many Of
the big political rallies and numerous OF the
amusements which require large floor space and
the meetings that attended by great throngs
since the building was put up. Six-day bicycle
races indoor football, society events have fol-
lowed one another under its iron trusses. and
Duss of Economy, has transformed the
interior into n mimic Venice, with canals and
gondolas and a band with Lillian Nordica as
soloist Withal. il may be a question IL the
Garden has ever proved financially more than
moderately profita BILE to the company which con-
trolls it, The Garden Theatre has always been
leased 10 some manager. The late A. M. Palmer
it, and later Charles Frohman Last
fall Mr.. Savage took the lease.
70 SEE THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.