James J. Gifford

[Anita]

Laurie, I just found this:

The Baltimore Sun, March 6, 1894 (Wednesday)
Submitted by: Jan Gifford

JAMES J. GIFFORD Mr. James J. Gifford, a retired carpenter and builder, died yesterday at his home 1422 East Fayette street, aged eighty years. He was born where he died.

Mr. Gifford was the architect and builder of the old Ford’s Theatre in Washington, which was the scene of the assassination of President Lincoln. This was the building whose roof collapsed June 9, 1893, and caused the death of many government clerks and employes. When the building came into possession of the government the alterations necessary for converting it into a building for the conduct of public business were supervised by Mr. Gifford, at the request of the contractor for the work. Mr. Gifford was not satisfied with the manner in which the work was done, and protested against it without avail.

As master carpenter, Mr. Gifford erected for the late Noah Walker what is now known as the Sutro Building. He also took part in erecting the Holliday Street Theatre and Ford’s Grand Opera House in Baltimore, Harris, Brinton & Dean’s Theatre in Washington and many other well-known structures. He preserved the drawings of nearly all his work, and could explain all the details. He was stage carpenter at Ford’s Opera House up to fifteen years ago, when he retired from active pursuits. Mr. Gifford leaves a widow, two sons and five daughters.