Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-02-11

SAN JOSE, February 1Oth-At 2 o'clocl
this morning L. Taylor, a pupil at the Nor
NAL School, discovered
SMOKE AND FLAMES
| Issuing from the second story. The alarm
was given in moment, and, in company
with the terrified janitor, he rushed out
| through the square and upon the street
shouting fire." The Fire Department re-
sponded to the alarm with alacrity, and after
arriving upon the scene did everything posi-
bic to stay the progress of the fire. Before
their arrival the flames had gained such
Roadway as to laugh their efforts to scorn.
With limited supply of water for such a
conhagration, a department of treble the
size and efficiency could not have been of the
slightest service. In an incredibly short
space of time the foEked tongues Tapped the
cupcla on all sides, and soon the whole struc-
ture was one mass of flames. The heavy
girders and joists began to tremble and fall,
sheets of fame and cinders shot forth in the
air, and long before daylight the State Nor
NAL School building was in ruins. The de-
struction was complete. Nothing of value
was saved. The scientific apparatus, the
museum, the library and all the valuable ap-
point,nents were burned
THE BUILDING.
The building was commenced in 1865, and
was completed in 1871. 1t had an entire
length of 10 feet, and hight to the ridge of
SO feet. The two wings, or arms, had 'front.'
age of 90 feet each by depth of 20 feet.
The style of architecture was Roman. with
improved design The material used in its
construction was the best procurable, and it
was the opinion of experts that a more solid
and substantial structure had never been
erected in California. Some time afterwards
insurance men discovered that the new patent
chimney introduced was defective, and when
a similar chimneyin Oaklandhad exhibited its
peculiar properties in causing the destruction
of the building in which it was placed, they
came to the conclusion that the insurance on
the Normal School building was not the safest
investment that could be made. Only few
this city informed your reporter that he would
not, under any consideration, take risk upon
the Normal School building.
THEORIES REGARDING THE DISASTER.
One theory is that the fire originated from
Goals thrown in an ash bin near the base
ment. Others think that the settling of the
building since its construction had caused
cracks in the hues, and that fires kept in the
the calamity. There is also an incendiary
theory, which many cling to. Several years
ago some of the Trustees received threaten
ing letters. About that time the costly
dweling-house of DR.. Bryant, on the Alma
den road, was burned to the ground during
the absence of the family. DIR. Bryant was
Trustee, and people believed that the incen-
diary had simply carried out threat of re-
venge The building was insured for $50, COO.
LATER DEVELOPMENTS
Show that the fire was incendiary be-
yond doubt. A pile of kindling wood,
saturated with coal oil, was placed in the
elevator hue at the basement, and the flames
were carried to the roof by the tremendous
draught There is no clue to the incendiary.
The Board of Education met this morning
and rendered the use of the High School
building free of rent until new building is
erected, and the Normal School Trustees
accepted the offer.
GILRoY, February 1Osh.-The glare of the
fire of the State Normal School building this
morning was quite noticeable here.