The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1953-05-28

Looking over some old copies OF
The Evening Globe, loaned to US by
Harold Hoffman, we came across the
following interesting story in the is
sue of Thursday, August Is, 1906,
regarding a large painting of "The
Ascension" which, at that time, fill
ed the north end of the Red Cross
room in the Masonic Temple.
Here is the story:
When Clifford P. Martin and H.
H. Beard, took a gentleman friend
from Washington, D. c., into the Red
Cross room in Masonic Temple Wed
nesday to show him the large paint
ing of 'aThe Ascension" they found
the painting had practically disap-
peared from the canvas. Mr.. Mar
tin and Mr.. Beard stood speeches.
when they saw what had happened.
They made apologies to their friend
and Immediately notified other mem
bers of the Order. When they said
the fine painting was ruined, all
thought there was some concealed
Joke back of the startling statement,
but upon learning the truth they
were dumbfounded.
A local druggist was called in, who
examined everything and was as
puzzled as the rest. The painting
was done in oil and vanished. Such
paintings last for centuries and seem
indestructible when placed in suit
able light and atmosphere. The
druggist said fumes would not af-
feet it, when someone told that dis
infectants had been used in the
building Water will not hurt an
oil painting, for they are washed
with soap and water to keep them
in condition
This picture was never washed.
1t is hung eight inches from the wall,
which is not at all damp. The frame
is not spotted, nor are any of the
draperies affected. The room has no
windows in it and it is lighted by a
gas chandelier and row of mean
descent electric lamps concealed
above the picture The chandelier
is in the middle of the room. No
light is on except when the room is
in use.
The picture fills the north end of
the room and is about 12X8 feet.
When the electric lights were turned
on, only a faint picture can be seen
in outline, no features showing
When the gas was lighted, standing
at an acute angle, one sees the re-
mains of a once beautiful painting,
the colors and expression showing
dimly. It is thought some chemical
reaction has occurred in the pigments
used. What gives weight to this is
that the gold and purple, show
strong in gas, but faint in the day
light that comes through the open
door. Oil paintings are known to
be in Rome dating within 200 years
of the birth of Christ, and these are
good even yet.
The painting is by Dabour, New
York City, and is dated 1899 1t was
presented to the lodge in 1899 by
General Thomas Shyrock, Grand
Master and Past Grand Commander,
of Baltimore, Maryland, and was
placed in the Temple when it was
built. It was on display in Wash
ington before it was brought here
and Cardinal Gibbons said it was a
remarkably beautiful painting.
A $1,000 fire insurance policy is
carried on the painting, but that does
not cover this damage.
It was found that one of the mem
bers showed it to a friend in the
middle of July and it was perfect at
that time.
Everybody is at a loss to know
what to do, but Professor Clyde Sto-
yer of Pennsylvania College, Gettys
urg, Pennsylvania, Professor in Chem
istry, will be asked to examine the
painting and see if any chemical re-
action has taken place. All efforts
will be taken to restore it.
Artist Claggett Spangler, in re-
spouse to request to examine the
picture, gave as his opinion that it
was either ruined by the chemical