The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1877-10-11

Inc model.room of the United States
P".ent ONCE was almost entirely destroyed
Gy fire on the oath In it was stored upward
OF three hundred thousand models, repre-.
sentinS the inventive genius of Americans
IN the tine arts, science, mechanism, and
varied industries. One.half, ut least, were
consumed, and the remaining portion thrown
in confusion on the lower floors of the
building. The origin of the fire is mys
tery. lis alleged that it broke out in the
greenhouse or propagating garden, situated
between the modCl.roOm and the root of the
building. almost under the rafters. This
space, IN addition to containing the green.
house, was filled with old records of the
patent office, in the shape of drawings and
specifications Tor patents already issued, and
with rejected models, all dry as finder. The
theory advanced is, that by some means fire
caught in the greenhouse and from thence
came in contact with the old papers, which
burned up like so much chaff This is
good theory, but it is suggested by many
that with room usually filed with day
wN1chmen, it is strange how fire, in pre-
Sunably tireproof building, should have
made sufficient headway to have threatened
lE entire destruction, and destroyed nearly
one-halt of its upper portion. The loss is of
that kind which can not be estimated in
dollars and cents. twill seriously interfere
VITA the workings of the patent office, re.
tard its progress in the matter of issuance Of
future patents, and will undoubtedly lead to
the infringement Of patents, the records of
which have been destroyed by the fire.
Many of the models consumed can never be
duplicated, and such as can must be from
the original patents granted and now in use.
A great many historic relics OF American
history were stored away in the south front
OF the mCdelroOm, and were saved. These
included the original of the Declaration of
Independence, Washngton's commission as
"Ommander.in, chief OF the American armies,
his treasure chests, uniform and sword.
Among the models saved was one filed by
Abraham Lincoln yers ago for letters
patent for an improved method OF lifting
vessels over shoals. Secretiry Schur an.
nounces his intention to have a thorough
investigation into the origin of the fire.
q ave apprehensions are entertained here
that it was not accidental. Some circum.
stances seem to indicate that it was not. 1t
is known that the investigation of the Indian
bureau, which has been going on for some
months, has unearthed transactions whose
records, if brought to light, would ruin the
participants. 1t is known that parties i'm.
Ill JIc SIChJ NtsJcln ldhu slthiS hlc
being hard pressed by the Investigations
which Schurz is pressing, and are naturally
anxious to have the records of their transac.
tons got out of the way The fire started
suspicousy near the records OF the land
Office and the Indian bureau. 1t started in
a room next to a stOrerOOm, to which, ac-
cording to the testimony of one official, large
quantities of files were removed only few
days ago. The final alarm was not sounded
for some time after its existence was known
by the employees in the department. and the
fire originated in a room where, accoriin ng
to the testimony Of its superintendent, no
fire had been started for some time. The
fire also developed the fact that the girders
of the top story were of wood, whereas it is
learned that the original contract called for
iron. All these matters will doubtless be
investigated. Prominent army officers VINO
watched the progress OF the flames complain
that there was utter lack OF system and skill
in the management OF the fire department,
AMI assert that the destruction need not
have been half as great if the fire depart
ment had been properly handled.