Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-10-03
OLD NATIONAL HOTEL,
WASHINGTON, BURNED
Was Famous as Hostelrie Just
After the War Period; Pop
ular With DeIawareans.

Washington, oct. 3.--Ffre in the his
toric National Hotel at Sixth street
and Pennsylvania avenue early yes
terday morning took two lives, injured
four and inflicted an estimated prop-
erty loss of $4,000. The dead are
Catherine Dean. telephone operator
whose home was In Akron, o., ana
George Mason of this city.
Both were found by firemen after
the hotel had been reported cleared
OF all it's guests. The girl was dis
covered burned 10 death at the Gle
vator shaft on the third floor. Ma
aon was found In his bed, which had
not been reached by the flames. His
death was diagnosed as due to heart
allure from the shock.
The fire was discovered at 2.5S A.
II. When firemen reached ii flames
were already mounting through the
roof. Investigation was still in prog
resS tonight 10 determine the origin.
The fire was discovered in the break
fast room on the first floor. which was
used by walters as dressing room.
Firemen believe the flames came from
an electric wire or a dropped match
or cigarette stub.
Guests at the hotel made hurried
escapes by ladders. the elevator and
fire escapes. while firemen carried a
number TO safety. Some jumped from
the second floor. Wallas White. col
ored. night operator. sat at the tele-
phone and sent the warning to all
the rooms. A group of actors and
actN sses occupying part of one floor
walked calmly down a fire escape 20
. safety. Women clad in night dresses
and kimonoas rushed TO the street and
sought refuge in nearby hotels. A
drug store across the street was used
as first aid station.
Catherine Deans body was identi-
fed at the Morgue by May Scudder.
another telephone operator at the ho-
tel. through two rings and some dental
work. The Scudder girl had rushed in
and awakened her companion, who in
sisted she had 10 dress. IL is believed
she delayed an instant too long and
was overcome by smoke.
The National Hotel, built In 1897
was the first hotel built in the Capital
along genuine hotel lines. 1t was the
stopping place of many of the Ma
ton famous men, among them beins
Henry Clay. who lived and died there
tn suite 127. Abraham Lincoln dined
there, on Feb, 2S. 1861. when he came
70 Washington for his Inauguration
Cen Andrew jackson. arriving ir
Washington for his Inauguration, was
cSrorted to the National and remained
there until he entered the White
House. President Buchanan alse
stepped from the hotel into the Elk.
ecutive Mansion. Beau Hickman. tn,
famous wit and practical joker of tn,
capital, also lived at the hotel. 70,
many years
In the early days the hotel wa,
known for its superior wines an,
liquors. In 1928 1t advertised meals a
81 day and room at sI.25 a day.
senators. Representatives and higl
Government officials made it, thei
headquarters. as it was close to tn
Capitol and had been frequented b,
tEC Legislative set for half a century
The National was long a favorit
stopping place for Delawareans visit
.ng the capital, and delega tons fror
this State, after the war, invariabl
made the hotel their headQuarter,
while It sheltered. at one time or ar
other. almost all the prominent publ
men OF the State. Walter Burton. VII
died at Lewes two or three weeks ag
vas formerly a member of the execl
tive stan of the National until his r,
tirement several years ago to becon
proprietor and manager Of anoth,
Pennsylvania avenue public house.
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