The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1877-10-04
HASt1NETRE.

The mOdel-roOm of the United States
patent office was almost entirely DESTROYED
by IRE on the oath. In it was stored upward
of three hundred thousand models, repre-
sentlng the inventive genius of Americans
IN the bne arts, science, mechanism, and
varied industries One-half at least, were
consumed, and the remaining portion thrown
in confusion on the lower floors of the
building. The origin of the fire is a mys-
terry. 1t is alleged that it broke out in the
greenhouse or proPagating garden, situated
between the mOdel-rOOm and the root of the
building. almost under the rafters. This
space, In addition to containing the green
house, was filed with old records of the
patent office, in the shape of drawings and
specifications for patents already issued, and
with rejected models, all dry as tinder 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 much chaff. This is a
good theory, but it is suggested by many
that with q room usually filled with day
watchmen, it is strange how fire, in a pre-
Sumably hreprOOf building, should have
made sufficient headWay to have threatened
its entire destruction, and destroyed nearly
One-haf of its upper portion. The loss is of
/ that kind which can not be estimated IN
dollars and cents. twill seriously interfere
with 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 mOdeEroOm, and were saved. These
! included the original of the Declaration of
| Independence, Washington's commission as
cOmmander-in-c chief of the American armies,
! his treasUre-chests, uniform and sword.
/ Among the models saved was one filed by
! Abraham Lincoln years ago for letters
| patent for an improved method of lifting
/ vessels over shoals. Secretary Schurz an.
! nounces his intention to have a thorough
! investigation into the origin of the FIRE
! Grave apprehensions are entertained here
/ that it was not accidental. Some circUm
stances seem to indicate that 1t was not. II
! 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
| plicated in the great western land steals are
being hard pressed by the investigation.
| which SchurZ is pressing, and are naturally
anxious to have the records of their transac
tiOns got out of the way. The fire started
| suspiciously near the records of the lanC
| Office and the Indian bureau. It started IL
| a room next to a stOrerOOm, to which, ac
cOrding to the testimony of one official, largt
| quantities OF niles were removed only few
days ago. The final alarm was not sounded
for some time after its existence was know
by the employees in the department; and tn
fire originated In room where, accOrdin;
to the testimony of its superintendent, n
fire had been started for some time. Th
fire also developed the fact that the girder
of the top story were of wood whereas it /
learned that the original contract called 70
iron. All these matters will doubtless b
investigated. Prominent army officers wn
watched the progress of the flames complain
that there was utter lack of system and ski
in the management of the fire department
and assert that the destruction need no
have been half as great il the fire depar
ment had been properly handled.