The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1881-03-10
DESTROYED BY FIRE.
The Capitol iu Flames and Laid in
Ruins.4

The Capitol iu Flames and Laid in
Ruins.1
Both Houses in Session, the Members Of which
Barely Escape.
During the evening session, held by
both Houses of the Legislature on
March l, the cry of {: fire. resounded
through the halls with awful impress
iyeness.
1.-THE Capitol is on fre!'' was the
warning note that passed hurriedly
from mouth to mouth, as the rever.
berations of the dread alarm rang out
On the crisp, frosty air at few min
utes past nine O'Clock, and in confir-
nation of the cry the heavens were
illuminated to almost the brightness
Of day by the fierce flames that had
already begun to mount the dome Of
the Inflated building, and threaten
with utter destruction the entire edi-
flee. Higher and higher leaped the
flames, and in an incredible short
space Of time the entire roof Of the
vast and prIncely structure was a
seethlng, roaring, uncomfortable sea
of fire.
Coming, as this calamity does, so
close in the wake of the recent destruc-
ton of the Insane Asylum at St. Peter,
adds to the fatality which seems to
overhang our state institutions and
gives rise to the supposition that the
deed was the work of an incendiary.
Where once stood Minnesota's
Capitol is now blackened, shapeless
mass of ruins, and, as if in mockery
Of the dread visitation, the important
business of the legislature, is to GER
tain degree retarded by this interven-
tiOn of fate.
AS both houses were in the midst
of their sessions, and the members
being engrossed with the business in
hand, it will he well to describe
THE SCENE IN THE SENATE,
At about 9:10 p. m, while the Senate was
in session, and working under the order
of third reading of House bills, that body was
startled from its comparative apathy by one
of the little pages rushing into the Senate
chamber and crying, "Fire! Fire! Everything
) above is on fre!' AS he came through the
the door the cinders from the dome of the
capitol were falling at his heels, and dense
volumes of black smoke poured into the ROOM
and at the sam instant clouds of smoke were
collecting in the gallery, and the flames illu-
minated that portion of the chamber through
the windows of the gallery.
Looking up over the Senate cham
Der it was discovered that the whole
area over the east wing was in a blaze.
At once great confusion took posses
sion of the members and Hobbies, but
was in a measure allayed by the cool
ness displayed by the presiding officers,
and Senator Crooks, whose stentorian
voice rang out loud and clear, suffi-
GENTLY to be heard over the noise and
din.
'sMr. President, move that the Senate do
now ADJOURN
Lieut.. Gov Giman-"such win be consid
cred as the sense of the Senate unless obiec-
tions are made
lis needless to say no one objected to the
colonel's motion.
With consumate GOODNESS the lieutenant
governor remained at his post, gavel in hand,
rapping leisurely upon his desk and saying,
"Gentlemen, there is no occasion for alarm;
- there is time for all to pass out; do not
crowd" ETC. There was a rush for the door.
however, and few passed out through the
door, but the flames had made such progress
as to make IN exit by the usual avenue i'm
possible. In the meantime the smoke was &C.
cumulating and was coming in through the
yentilators, making the imprisoned persons
feel decidedly nervous. The GLOBE reporter
then pocketed his pencil and manu-
script and went to the cloak
room for his overcoat, and there he found a
su,all window and dropping down therefrom
toa point on the steps below the flames. He
then went to the further end of the Senate
chamber, opened a window and swung himself
over to the roof of the portico over the eastern
entrance to the building and there, with some
ten or 4 dozen others, waited for the arrival of
the fire depal lment with it's ladders
The room was quickly empred or members
of the legislature, its officers and visitors
fortunately there were but few of the latter.
Secretary Jennison and Assistant Secretary
Wedge remained ut their posts, and, while the
cinders were falling through the ventilator
over the chandelier, packed up the records and
conveyed them to place of safety. Some of
the senators had presence OF mind enough to
take the contents of their desks with them
} but the greater number didn't stop for any
\ thing. With but very few exceptions Sena-
tors behaved with q degree Of self-possession
and good sense highly creditable
4 to them. About the time the last member had
| left the chamber, the chandelier fell to the
| floor, and everything was wreathed in flames.
| Senator D. Buck was found wading around
/ in the snow, trying to draw some consolation
from the hope that the bill for the payment of
1 the old State railroad bonds was burned up,
4 but 1t is thought that General Jennison has
taken care of that, together with the rest of
The documents pertaining to his department.
THE SCENE IN THE HOUSE.
The House went into committee of the
whole shortly after reassemblng in the even
Ing, Speaker Fletcher surrendering the gavel
70 w n R;aos 4La Da..a.a.4. 49,. 60 A. =