The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1877-10-13
& CAPITOL LETTER.
The Patent Office Fire-Model Crema-
tion-ExuitanG Lawyers-G. WIS.
CIo4nes-Ren Franklin,s Press

Clothes-Ben Franklin's Press
-Heart-rending Joke-A
Disappointed Ofiee-
seeker-What next2
Congress.
WAsHINGToN, D. c. Oct. 6, III.
he speaks plain cannon, fire
And smoke and bounce,
King John
We have had a fire, and in com
pany with fully 1000 fellow citl-
zens, without regard to race, color,
sex or previous condition of servi-
tude, including Indians not taxed,
| have been doing some heavy look
ing on, and the mental agony which
/ have endured when | reflected
that Chere was strong probability
of being deprived of light summer
reading in the shape Of Patent
Office Reports, has caused my "hair
to stand on-end ike frets upon "a
qnillful poroupine" or words to that
effect. Like the ghost of Bungo Kit
will not down." and | now roam
about with my hair 'forty ways
for Sunday, ,"-an exact counter
part of Iwaddles.
On Monday last, the model room
ofth U. S. Patent Office was almost
totally destroyed by fire, the ruins
are still smouldering, and require
the constant attention of the FIRE de-
partment, engines are stationed at
each corner of the building, ready
Tor any emersoney,-like Oliver
Ditson.
The loss to tho government will
probably exceed sl.500,O0O. In
this estimate is included the cost of
replacing the burnt models, (which
can be done. as the original draw
ings are sayed,) and the extra ex-
pense Of renting suitable buildings
in which to transact the Department
business, while the Patent Office 10
being repaired. AS is usual IN such
cases, nearly as much damage was
done by water as by fire, the water
having poured down the stairwaya
and chimneys into the Offices on The
lower floors, in a perfect deluge. Ut
terly running the carpets and the fine
fresco work and making the whole
building a damp, bad place to work
in. | shall not attempt to describe
the scene Of conflagration as your
readers will know all obout it
through the daily papers long be-
fore this will reach them.
The entire west front, PIP feet in
length, and about 250 feet of the
north front was completely
destroyed, that is, the inside and
roof,-the walls still stand intact,
and are not even discolored out
wardly. Ia this portion of the
building were placed in glass cases
for exhibition, about $4,000 models,
mostly OF agricultural implements,
and inventions in hydraulics and
pueumatics, also about 10000 re-
jected models which were stored,
together with several tons of photo
photographic drawings in the attic
Immediately over the model room.
1t is probable that endless litiga-
ton will result from the loss of
these models, as they were Of great
use in determining the claims 70 i'm
provements in inventions. The
patent attorneys are jubiIant and all
wear smiling countenances antici-
pating lively times in their line of
business.
1t is said that Geo. ashington's
little hstchet was consumed, and
that in consequence of this great
national loss the Patent Office clerks
found it utterly impossible to tell
the truth hence, the great difficulty
OF obtaining correct account Of
the fire.
However this may be it is certain
that q. WIS,
'Semi-buckskin uniform,
With epaulets of gold"
which constitutes portion of his
Gods of other days"
together with
'Martha's dainty handi-craft,
Of needle, quaint and DID,
and q. WIS. camp and kitchen far
niture, which were placed for pub
lie gaze in the Patent Office, is saved
for another Centennial.
Ben. Franklin's ancient printing
press was likewise ''yanked" out,
and still remains to be an object of
instruction to future generations; :;
right here, | ask leave to suggest
that as The press IS now out Of Of
fee, Is entitled to recognition as