19 March 1896 - Fire !

Unknown if this affected Grandfather Whipple:
_____

Providence, RI Masonic Building Fire, Mar 1896

PROVIDENCE MASONS LOSE BY FIRE.

Their Building Destroyed---Their Loss $90,000---Lodges and Business Firms Lose $350,400.

PROVIDENCE, R. I., March, 19.---The Masonic Building, in Pine Street, was destroyed by fire at 4 o'clock this morning and several buildings back of it were damaged.

The loss on the Masonic Building and furniture is estimated at $90,000. The insurance is $75,000. Of the tenants the largest losers are the Wilbur Shoe Company, $125,000: Allen & Jonassohn, $85,000: Bosworthl Brothers, $65,000: St. John's Commanders, No.1, $25,000: Calvary Commandery, No. 3, $25,000.

Many Masonic lodges lost from $1,000 to $6,000 each. The total loss is estimated at $440,400, and the insurance at $275,175.

The New York Times, New York, NY 20 Mar 1896