Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1884-12-04
A MAJESTIC RUIN.
Science Hall Of the State University
Burned.
THE BUILDING AND lTs CONTENTS
UTTERLY DESTROYED.
Madison, Dec. ID.

Madison, Dec. I'd.
Last evening a calamity befel
the state university which it is pain
full to record. The large and state
ly Science Hall, with It's rich treas
ures of books, apparatus, its museum
and its costly and rare collection of
ouriosities. illustrative of many
branches of science was completely
destroyed, Nothing is left but the
charred and worthless walls, still
majestic in ruin.
THE ALARM.
A few minutes before 9 o'clock
the alarm was sounded and the fire
department hurried to the scene in
ample time to have saved the struct-
ure, If all conditions had been favor
able to prompt and well.directed
action.
THE FIRE ORIGINATED,
as it appears, in the forge room in
the basement, and in the south west
corner of the north wing or portion
of the building. When first dis
covered it could, with adequate
water supply, have been easily con
trolled; but unfortunately the fire
caught in the room where were the
pumps, and all the apparatus of the
building for use in case of fire were
thus rendered inaccessible in the
outset. The university has system n
of water works of its own, but un
luckily these were in use at the time,
and the water pipes led from the
lake directly To the Science Hal
and could not b. utilized. The fire
speedily communicated to the boiler
room, and the building
WAS UNPROTECTED.
The fire department was a long
time in getting connection with the
nearest hydrant of the city water
works system, which was at long
distance from the seat of the fire
and no sooner had they made con
neetion than the bursting of the
hose caused calamitous delays
The fire engines, for lack of hose
in adequate supply to reach the lax
or any adequate water supply, were
helpless
And so the flames, at first con.
fined in one room, slowly worked
their way upward into tho west enc
of the north wing, thence eastward
till that wing, with its contents wa
one roaring mass of flames.
THE EXTENT or THE LOSS.
The building was commenced IL
1874, and it cost $4,000 Improve
ments since made swell the cost tc
about 100000. The contents were
invaluable. Probably 100000
would not replace the article Of ma
chinery and scientific apparatu
stored and used in the building
The museum of the university, the
result Of thirty years industrious
collection or raritics and curiosities
many Of which money can not re
place, went TO ashes in the fierce
flame. Here were splendid geologic
collections, the fine electric appa
ratus for engineering, the superb ma
chiuery for use in all branches o
practical mechanics, and the exten
sive and valuable geological remains
Here, too, was the art gallery, will
the elegant Moran paintings of GU
lake scenery, and other fine pic
lures.
INSURANCE.
The Democrat reporter managed
to learn that there is insurance OF
the building to about forty thousand
dollars; and that the companie
holding such insurance are represent
ed by Messrs. John S. Dean, A. II
Main, r. Wootton, and the Hobbin
Bros.
CHRISTMAS SPECIALTIEs worthy o
examination at Cook & Sullivan
iewelry store. Don't fail to SCI
them. 49W2