The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1877-10-02

partmsnt. The Pension and other
smaller bureaus have quarters outside,
in rented buildings. The entire upper
story Of the building was devoted to
MODEL MUsEuM,
where were exhibited the models OF ev-
cry invention that has been patented
under United States laws for fifty
years. and models of many inventions
whose letters patent date back much
longer ago. The room consisted OF four
magnificent corridors, two over 400
feet long. and two more about 325 feet
long. These halls were from sixty to
eighty feet in width, and were divided
into promenades by long lines Of hand
some exhibition cases of black walnut
and glass. Balconies were erected from
either wall. which were also filed with
similar cases. In these cases were con-
tanned about 400, 900 models, many Of
them OF great beauty, and some OF rare
value. This was the
FINEST COLLECTION OF MODELS IN THE
WORLD;
in fact, the only collection Of any mag
nitude. Their trinsic value could not
be named. OF course, they were worth
nothing except as ouriosities and mat
ters of record, but in that particular
they were invaluable. Among other
models which are supposed to be des-
troyed were the original cotton gin, in.
vented by Eli Whitn ey, a Yankee school
master in Georgia, who made the growth
OF cotton profitable to the South; the
original sewing machine;the first piano
manufactured in America, and various
other curious "reminiscences. These
were burned. Among the curiosities
saved were Franklin's printing press,
which was kept with great care under
glass; the clothing, camp equipage,
saddle, swords. and other property OF
President Washington; the crockery
that nv used at Mount Vernon and 9TH
er rare relics OF the revolutionary age,
which will be remembered as having
been exhibited at the Centennial Ex-
position. These were saved, Secretary
Schurz having ordered them taken TO n
place of safety before the fire had made
much progress.
THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
WAS FORMERLY KEPT HERE,
but was removed to the State Depart.
ment some time ago. Two-thirds Of
the model room was entirely destroyed.
The bare walls remain, and the tile fire.
proof pillars are covered with small
mountains Of debris. The fire having
been extinguished when il had burned
about the building 80 far that the wind
aided the firemen.
THE MODELS THAT WE'RE BURNED
were mostly those Of mechanical pow
ers, hardware, manufacture, textile
machinery, agricultural and domestic
apparatus, wood work, models OF APP
parrel, furniture, firearms, jewelry,
paper manufacture, Photographic, print
ing, weaving, and the various ram'fca-
tions that would come under these
heads. The loss of these models will
be quite serious 20 the government not
only, but TO inventors, and vast amount
Of
LrTIoATIoNs WILL GROW OUT OF DISPUTES
that may arise in the absence Of mod
els. Although in the hles of the ofiici.
al gazette of the Patent Office, which
is published monthly, there are cuts
and descriptions Of all inventions pat
ented for many years. the examiners
wers accustomed TO refer to the model
cases every day. Now they will have
to depend upon their gaxettes. But,
aside from the models, the room was
valuable rs storohouse Of the pro
ducts OF the inventive genius OF Ameri-
can people, and contained
TIE RESULTS or LIFETIME AFTER LITE-
TINE or THOUGHr.
Many Of the models which were in
that portion of the building that was
destroyed were saved by having them
carried down stairs. In one Of the cor
ridors of the lower story Of the build.
ing are three great piles Of models mix
cd in inexplicable confusion, and they
might as well be destroyed, for il will
need the shrewdest sort Of an expert 10
identify one OF them.
The oEIoIs.
There is a dispute concerning the
origin OF tho FIRE, which Secretary
Schurz promises 10 investigate. 1t was
first discovered at 1890 o'clock by per
soRs IN the fire rooms in the attic, who
noticed a quantity OF smoke which
came from the neighborhood OF green
house or conservatory which had been
erected on the roof. II was then sup
posed that its origin was due to a fire
In the green-house, but the gardener
says there has been no fire there since
last spring. Next, ID was accounted for
by spontaneous combustion, which is
unreasonable. Again, it was charged
that tinners who wern mending the
roof were careless in dropping Goals,
but no timers have been on the roof
since last week. The most reasonable
explanation is that the woodwork in
the attic caught fire from a defective
hue, for there were seyeralfres started
in the rooms below.