Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1877-10-18
WASHINGTON Letter,
WASHINGTON. d. C.. Sept. 2G. 1877.

w ASl1lSGTOE. -. u, Sept. 70. 1871.
; Yesterday morning about 1l:25 a. m.
fire alarm sOundcd.and in a very short tim
it was known throughout the city that tn
Patent Office was or fire. Every eilor
was made to cXtingllish the flames. b,,
without avail, and in few hours the mode
room was swept more than half clean Of it
contents by the Gcyollring fire. 1t brok'
out IN the top or attic story. the floor O
which was the only one in the whole i'm
mensc building but what was firc-proof
and which soon burnt through into the
room where were stood all the Thousands
OF models that have collected for the last
forty years. In 1926 the Patent Office was
burned with all the models which were
then in existence. How the fire originated
yesterday is not known, but there are va
, lious theories concerning it. The general
alarm was sounded about half an hour af.
ter it was discovered, and in few minutes
after. the Georgetown engines came to the
assistance ofthe Capitol fire force. Then
Baltimore was telcgraplled and her engines
arrived in half an hour more. There was
work enough for them all to do. for al
though the streets are wide, the heat was
so intense that the surrounding squares
were only saved by constant play of
water upon them. The fire was scarcely
under control when large livery stable i'm
an adjoining square was discovered to be
burning and the attention of some half
dozen more engines was turned upon it.
but when hay begins to burn, it isn't easy
to stop it. The front wall-of brick and
supported on either side by other build
ings-alOne was saved. The horses we've
all gotten out, but the carriages were lost.
The city was scene of intense excite
ment which died away only with the ap-
proach of nightfall. Several persons were
hurt, but as yet have heard Of no fatal ac-
cidents. This morning crowds are throns-
ing to see the ruins, and in my next letter |
can give much clearer account of the
whole matter than at present is possible.
The near approach of Congress warns
the citizens of the Capitol anu the District
mat 1t is high time to organize i,r the pur-
pose OF obtaining legislation necessary for
he local interests Of the city. However
veil disposed the members of Congress
nay be toward the District, it is re,nem-
'ered that there arc so many new ones that
Is needs are but little understood by the
mass, and the subject is too complicated
ma extensive to admit of their becoming
with all its points until its de-
alls are explained to them by an intelli-
gent, well-informed and influential COM
n!ttee of citizens. Therefore there is me-
'essity for particularly active preliminaries
ma s-cps are already being takeE for the
and arrangement of such infor-
nation AS Congress will need for proper
fgisl:don.
Senator Dogy, of Missouri, is dead. and
are already hard at work filling
lis place in the Senate. Half dozen at
east are eagerly batting their hooks for
he office, and much wire-pulling will 90
N because Of the vacant seat. Mr.. Bogy
'as poor boy and arrived at the age of
aanliood in possession of no means and
very limited education. But he was am
itious. pcrseyering and fndns!ric is, and
nth these qualities one rarely G.iis of sue j;
ess. lie was elected to the Senate when ,
e was " years old. n,
ADAMS.