Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1877-10-03

els. Although in the files Of the off,
cial gazette Of the Patent Office, which
is published monthly, there are cuts
and descriptions Of all inventions
patented for many years back, the
examiners we're accustomed to refer
to the model cases every day. Now
they will have to depend upon their
gazettes. But, aside from the models,
house of the products of the invent
i've genius of American people, and
contained
THE RESULTS OF LIFETIME AFTER LIFE
TIME OF THOUGHT.
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
corridors of the lower story of the
building are three great piles of mod
els mixed in inexplicable confusion,
and they might as well be destroyed,
tor it will need the shrewdcst sort Of
an expert to identify one of them.
THE ORIGIN.
There is q dispute concerning the
origin Of the fire, which Secretary
Schurz promises to investigate. 1t
was first discovered at 10 80 o'clock
by persons in the file-rooms in the at
tic, who noticed quantity of smoke
which came from the neighborhood
of q greenhouse or conservatory
which had been erected on the roof.
II was then supposed that its origin
was due to fire in the green house,
but the gardener says there has been
no fire there since last spring. Next,
1t was accounted for by spontaneous
combustion, which is unreasonable.
Again, It was charged that timers
who were mending the roof were
careless in dropping Goals, but no tin
ners have been ON the roof since last
week. The most reasonable explana-
ton 10 that the woodwork in the attic
caught fire from o defective fiue, for
there were several fires started In the
rooms below this morning for the
first time since last spring. This will
give Secretary Schurz
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ANOTHER INvEs-
TIGATINa COMMITTEE.
The persons who discovered the
fre were careless about leaving doors
open, and succeeded in arranging un-
consciously, an admirable draft, for
when hole was burned in the roof,
and let . current of air through, the
flames seemed to burst out every
where. The fire began in the Ninth
street wing in an attic where are
stored quantities of models of reject
ed patents, and whole tons of paper
In the shape Of records, letters, and
other files of the department. These
were arranged in large pine racks,
divided into pigeon-holes, and set al
intervals along the floor in q plan
easy of access, but exceedingly favor
able for fire. Last Tuesday the In
spectOr Of Buildings of the District
was called upon by tho Superinten.
dent ofthe Interior Department build.
ing
TO EXAMINE THIS VERY PART OF THE
ATTIC,
with view to testing the floor, to sec
II itwould support q large quantity
more Of file papers, which 1t was dc.
gave It - his opinion that the floor
would support the weight Of 100 tons
but ho did not inspect the apartment
with any idea of ito ever catching fire
These documents consisted Of the rec.
0rds, entries, and other papers Of the
Patent, Land, Indian and Pension Blu.
reaus, and were Of no particular val.
NC, except - . complete record Of The
transactions Of these Offices for MANY
years back, but there werc many doc.
uments Of great importance cithe,
wholly or partially destroyed by wa.
ter, which was thrown into the build.
ing and by the reckless usage of OK,
J cited clerks.
IT Is SECRETARY scHuRz's OPINION
that the flre originated from the acci.
, dental placing among the rejected
models Of . model having lens OF
burning-glaas, in such q position tha1
the rays Of tho sun shining through
the skylight were concentrated upol
, . macs Of paper or some other com
, bustib.e substance. This theory h,
, accepts after IN examination Of tn
chimneys which ere standing, and th
!. other possihle sources Of the fire.
AS sooN A. THE EXCITEMENT DIE
DOWN,
> after the Are was ont Secretar
I4chnrz sent epr Arohifect Clark. q
( The Capitol, Who VIII pfepsre plan
~ : temporary ROOD, yAli sWill =