The Washington herald., 1907-07-16
FIRE ON BALL GROUND
WashingtOn'S Clubhouse and
Stands Burned.
FLAMES START IN STABLE
Twelve Horses Cremated i'm Stalls
in Rear of Maryland HoteI-BIaze
Work of Firemen Saves Freed
mems HOspitaI-DamaEe $4,000.

Washington's baseball clubhouse, at Sew
enth street and Florida avenue, was de-
stroyed last night by a fire which started
in the stables at the rear OF the Mary
land Hotel. caused the death OF twelve
horses, threatened the hosiery for a
time. and was the cause OF calling out
a hundred police reserves 10 be in readi-
ness TO rescue the patients In the event
that the blaze spread to the Freedmen's
Hospital. which is only a hundred yards
away. Before the flames We're eXtin-
guished two nearby lumber yards were
damaged. The grand stand Of the base
bail park was also damaged 20 the ex-
tent Of about 81 600. The loss among the
different owners is estimated al $4,000
The fire. which was discovered in the
stable owned by Z. W. Charlet0n, was
first seen shortly before II o'clock. Ac-
cording 10 the stable men. ii is believed
that the blaze started in the hay in the
loft, and was caused by spontaneous COM
bustiou. Much of the damaged property,
the sheds. and the stables in the rear OF
the hotel is owned by the Howe Totten
estate II is partly insured
The uniforms of the Washington base
ball club which are used when the club
is at home. were lost in the fire. The
clubhouse. which was destroyed. con-
tanned the dressinE-rooms of the club, In
Guiding shower baths, and all modern
improvements The loss 10 the baseball
club IS estimated at about $500, which
Is covered by insurance.
The clubhouse and grand stand OF the
club are just 10 the east Of where the
fire originated. and these buildings caught
shortly after the fire was discovered.
The blaze spread 10 this property, and
before the fremen succeeded In extin-
gushing the flames they had done con-
siderable damage to the rear OF the
main grand stand
Lumber Yards Damaged.
The stable Of McLarron & Calhoun
was damaged to the extent Of about
$3.50. Another lumber yard belonging
10 Eisman Bros. was also badly burned.
Their loss Is estimated at several thou
sand dollars. \ blacksmith shop, the
property Of Ryan and Higgnson, was
also consumed by the flames.
Joseph Nicholson, Z. ". Charleton. and
Joseph Edwards are among those who
lost horses in the fire. Nicholson
and Edwards are contractors and
kept their horses in the stable where the
fire is believed TO have originated. In
addition to the animals which We're lost,
many wagons and carts were burned
For a time it looked as though the
Maryland Hotel would be destroyed and
the fiTemen put their efforts in that di-
rectiOn. At the same time the fire was
burning toward the baseball grand stand
and TWO companies were put at work 10
save this structure. Six engine compa-
MES and two trucks were called out 10
fight the flames.
Protect Frcedmen's Hospital.
Capt Doyle. OF the Eighth precinct po-
lice station. was on the scene soon after
the fire started, and owing to the fact
that Freedmen's Hospital was located so
near calls were sent for additional re-
serves to guard the property from being
destroyed and TO assist in carrying the
patients from the institution should the
building catch fire.
The fire was rather spectacular for a
time, and the patients becoming alarmed
were removed from the side Of the build
ing facing the fire and taken 20 other
parts of the hospital
Several sheds belonging TO the adjoining
property were also destroyed. as were
horses. whose owners names the police
did not learn last night.
The fire burned for nearly three hours.
and while the firemen were at work thou
sands Of people congregated in the sur
rounding streets to watch the blaze.
Although the clubhouse was completely
destroyed and a part OF the back Of the
grdndstand was burned an official Of the
club announced the fire would not inter
fere with the series Of games scheduled
for July p. The work of rebuilding will