The Osceola times., 1877-10-06
WARRINGTON.

The model-room of the United States'
patent otfce was almost entirely destroyed
NY hre on the oath. In il was stored upward
'of three hundred thousand models, repre.
sentihg the inventive genius of Americans
IN the me 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
ouiiding. The origin Of the fire is mys.
terry. Ii is alleged that it broke out in the
greenhouse or propagating garden, situated
pe.Scen the modei-room and the roof 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 n
good theory, but 1t is suggested by many
that with room usually filled with day
sumably freproof building, should have
made sufficient headway to have threatened
It's entire destruction, aud destroyed nearly
one-half OF its npper portion. The loss is Of
that kind which can not be estimated in
dollars and cents. twill seriously interfere
wti the workings Of the patent Office, re.
taId its progress in the matter Of issuance of
future patents and will undou otedIy lead to
the Infringement OF patents, the records Of
which have been destroy ed bv the fire
Many Of the models consr med can ueyfr he
duplicated, aud such as can must be from
the original patents granted and now in use.
N great many historic relics of American
history were stored, away in the south front
o. the modetrooh, and were saved. These
Independeure, Washington's commission as m
command .r'in chief of the American armies,
ms IRE Asure chests, uniform and sword,
Amor 6 the models saved was one fled by
."ham Lincoln years ago for letters
IAtept 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.
Gfave apprehensions are entertained here
that 1t was not accidental. Some circum.
STAGES seem to indicate that it was not II
Us 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.
pllcated in the great western land steals are
being hard pressed by the investigations
which Schurx is pressing, and are naturally
anxious to have the records OF their ansac.
tons got out of the way The fire started
nspiciously near the records Of the. Ian d
Office and the Indian bureau. It started in
room next to a storeroom, TO which, ac.
cording to the testimony of one oficial large
quantities of files were removed only few
days ago. The final alarm was not sounded
for some time after its existence was known
by the employees in the department; and the
fire originated In room where, aecordi ng
10 the. testimony Of its superintendent, no
FIRE had been started for some time. The
hre also developed the fact that the girders
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,
and assert that the destruction need not
have been half as great ii the FIRE depart.
ment bad been properly handled.