The star of Pascagoula. [volume] (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1873-1878, 1877-10-05
WARRINGTON,

The model.room of the United States
patent office was almost entirely deStroye,
by fire on the 24th. In 1t was stored upwart
Of three hundred thousand models, repre-
sentiDg the inventive genius of American
in the fine arts, science, mechanism, anC
varied industries. One-half, at least, were
consumed, and the remaining portion throw
in confusion on the lower floors of the
building, The origin of the fire is a mvs
terry. ICis alleged that it broke out in the
greenhouse or p~ropagating 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 filled 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 finder, The
theory advanced is, that by some means Ere
caught in the greenhouse, and from thence
came in contact with the old papers, which
burned up like so much chat. This is a
good theory, but it is suggested by many
that with a room usually filled with day
watchmen, it is strange how fire, in a pre-
srnably freproof building, should have
made sufficient Roadway to have threatened
its entire destruction, and DESTROYED nearly
one-balf of its upper portion. The loss is of
that kind which can not be estimated in
dollars and cents. It will 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
ths infringement OF patents, the records of
which have been destroyed by the fire.
Many OF the models consumed can neg r be
duplicated, and such as can must be from
th3 original patents granted and now in use.
A great many historic relics of Americas
history were stored away in the south front
OF the model room, and were saved. These
included the original of the Declaration of
independence, WashingtOn's commission as
commander.in chief of the American armies,
his treasure chests, uniform and sword
Among the models saved was one fled hy
Abraham Lincoln ye lrs ago for letters
patent for an improved method of lifting
vessels over shoals. Secretary Schurz an.
n%ounces his intention to have a thorough
investigation into the origin of the FIRE.
Grave apprehenSions are entertained here
that 1t was not accidental. Some circum-
stances seem to indicate that it was not. Ii
~ known that the investigation of the Indian
bureau, which has been going on for some
months, has unearthed transactions whose
records, II brought to light, would ruin the
participants. 1t is known that parties i'm.
pllcatei In the great western land steals are
being hard pressed by the Investigations
when Schurz is pressing, and ore naturally
anxious to have the records of their transac.
hons got out OF the way. The fire started
suSpic,onSly near the records of the land
Office and the Indian bureau. 1t started in
q room next to a storerOom, to which, &C.
cordlng to the testimony of one official, large
Quantities of files were removed only a few
days ago. The final alarm was not sounded
tor some time alter its existence was known
by the employees IN the department.; and the
hre originated in a room where, according
to the testimony of its superintendent, no
nre mad been started for some time. The
ire also developed the fact that the Orders
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,
an l assert that the destruction need not
b I've been half as great il the fire depart
n'ent had been properly handled.