Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-28

pietely destroyed, leaving only the bare walls
OF the once superb Lincoln Hall.
This was one Of the many spectacular fires
I'm WAshington's history and could be seen for
many miles around. The weather was freez-
ing and the ground was covered with snow.
Though the entire fire department was soon on
the ground, it found itself helpless and unable
to get q stream to reach the top Of the build
ing. It just simply burned itself out. The
fire started at $3.50 o'clock Sunday morning,
and was not declared officially out until 4:45
pm. the same day.
The Silver King" had just vacated the the
alter and Dads Girl" was scheduled for the
week of December 6. So close did the fire
start on the heels of 1.-The Silver King" that
three of that shows employees, including the
stage carpenter and two scene shutters. nearly
lost their lives by remaining overnight in the
theater
Prof. Spencer and his family, and sons fam
ily who occupied living quarters In the build
ing. also had a very narrow escape, especially
the younger Mrs. Spencer, who tried to make
her escape by way of the D street door, only
to find it locked and barred when she reached
the foot Of the stairs, and although the build
ing was almost an inferno by this time yet
she was forced TO retrace her steps and make
her exit by way Of the Ninth street door.
The Spencer family residing here at the
time included Prof. Henry C. Spencer and Mrs.
Spencer, their son Leonard and his wife, and
Prof Spencer's youngest son, Henry about
years old.
Prof Daniel B. Immich whom many will
recall as q popular band leader OF that period,
and who in later years had charge of the music
at Glen Echo, lost all Of the orchestra's equip
ment including the musical instruments which
had been left in the theater overnight.
THE STAR Of December 6. 1885. gives the
-. following account Of the fire:
wThe burned-out business men were
b,,siiy engaged today In locating them
selves In new quarters. A. s. Pratt g.
Sons dug out their safe from the ruins
and found the contents uninjured. They
secured an ONCE at 420 Ninth street.
Mr. Adler, whose loss is said to be very
large estimated at $40 900, has opened
in Seaton Hall, across the street. Mr..
Shedd Is located Ut 42s Ninth street.
Prof and Mrs. Spencer have quarters at
the Waverly and this morning their busi-
ness college was going on rs usual, only
In more limited quarters.
"Mr A. S. Pratt was inclined to think
this morning in talking with Star re-
porter that the fire. was not due to de-
fective heating apparatus, as that was
entirely new. He thought that the fire
originated in the lumber room, beneath
the stage, and while not positive, he was
inclined to think that the building was
set on fire. The insurance men think
the fire was due to the theater in the
building. AS soon as the theater was
started the rate of insurance was ad-
vanced 81 on the thousand on the build
ing and from Use to $3.50 on the stock
in the stores. The high rate OF inSur-
ance caused many of the merchants to
carry less.
Building Inspector Entwistle has adj
dressed letter to A. S. Pratt 81 Sons,
agent for the burned building, stating
that the walls are in danger Of being
blown over, and notifying him to have
them Immediately taken down sufficiently
to prevent accident as at present they
are endangering the life and limbs Of the
citizens. He notifies them that the own
ers will be held responsible for any acct
dent that may occur.
THE president Of the board Of directors
who control the property, Mr.. Daniel w.
Longan, has issued a call for q meeting
of the board this afternoon. The fol-
lowing are members: E. Morrison, J. B.
Johnson, z. Richards, B. Chambers, A. 8.
Pratt r. H Smith and william Ballan-
tyne. The property has never paid the
six per cent interest on the stock, and
of course it has been impossible to retire
the stock from the profits, Is originally
intended There was insurance Of $4O.-
900 on the building. and the ground Is
worth Sc or 81 . foot, and this consti-
tutes the entire assets. It Is probable
that the directors will decide to sell the
ground and divide the assets pro rata
among the stockholders"