The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1881-11-17
vas an insufficiency of hydrants and not

was an insuficiency of hydrants and not
pressure enough in the plug used.
Mr.. Spain spoke chiefly of the record
room, and his knowledge of the con-
struction of the walls. He said he knew
there was a hole in the wall, between the
book room and the assistant attorney gen.
erals office, and supposed that every one
else who had ally business in the room
knew the same thing.
Capt. Won Rosenberg testified as to his
seeing smoke issuing from the capitol
building; that he communicated with
the telephone central office, TO have the
alarm given, and about how long 4 time,
after that before the alarm was given.
James C. Gather, present tax clerk in
the comptroller's office, during the ad-
minlstration of Attorney General McCor-
mick, was assistant clerk in that depart
ment, and occupied room No. 2. adjoin-
Ing the book room. During the first win
ter he desired TO put up stove, but
learning that he would have to traverse
the record or book room to reach a flue,
he regarded it too dangerous, and moved
into the attorney generals office, where
| there was fireplace. He knew there
was hole in the wall, between him and
the book room. He had examined the
wall and knew it was simply a hole. He
had talked with Captain Bowman, when
that gentleman was chief clerk in the
state department, about the hole in the
wall, and the flue in the other. He could,
| by using double pipe, run it through
the record room, perhaps without dan
| ger; but he preferred to move back TO
| the fireplace.
Ind Tol loly
putting up the stove. He had had fire.
quent occasion to go into the book room;
knew that it had been walled up. and
that there had been no fire in the next
room for a number of years.
| Professor Jones' testimony had refer
| ence TO the length of time consumed in
| giving the alarm from the city hall. after
he had been told that the capitol was on
| tire. 1t occupied but few minutes.
Justice Gregg adjourned the inquest
until half-past nine o'clock this morning
| when Captain Bowman will be recalled
and perhaps other witnesses will be eX-
amined. We will, in all probability,
| give the verdict of the jury in to-mOr.
rows issue. The jurors were selected
from amongst our most intelligent citi.
Zens, and are giving the subject matter
before them their closest attention.
| DISCLAIMER.
| LII JuC IopOTL VI Iue RTeuI uTc pup
| lished in these columns, mention was
made that the hose company of Colorado
| Company No. was first on the grounds
but that Washington No. got first water
| This statement was made upon informa,
ton given by more than 4 dozen firemen
while the house was yet burning. The
company first on the ground claims the
honor, and still the other adheres to its
| original declaration. Other firemer
seem slighted, because their names
| were not mentioned or their companie!
noticed. The writer of that repor
was member of the first company evel
organized in Austin, when many of the
NOBLE FELLOWS WHO DID GALLANT
| WORK
at the burning state house were littl,
boys. He has since then "run wild dc
masheen" IN Houston, Waco, Galveston
and New Orleans he knows full well thu
small amount of praise usually EXTENDED
to volunteer firemen for their unselfisl
labor and hazardous profession, and b,
would be the last man on earth to de
tract from the one or disparage the other
either with companies or individuals
He desires here to disclaim any such in
tention. If errors were made, they wer,
the result of the information given b,
others. No, no he loves volunteer fire
men too well to underrate their service
as such, or to misrepresent them whel
on duty. But the question of first waite
must be settled among themselves.