The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1885-03-25

located the museum, the Enrolling Clerk s
Office and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The Wilderness of the hall on the first floor
and the fact that there is no woodwork in
it prevented the fire spreading from the
Quarter Master Generals office i'm
mediately across the Secretary of States
Office or State Treasurer's, but it reached
these by circuitous course over the
second floor, first extending to the room
occupied by tho clerk of the Supreme
Court on the second floor and then ex.
tending downward. The front of the
building by this time was enwrapped in
flames. 1t was very evident that all eff
forts to save the front of the building
would be useless, and the fremen directed
their efforts to saving the centre of the
building and the dome, and succeeded.
They fought hard for over five hours be-
fore the fire was under control. The roof
fell in with crash and the walls of the
building were cracked in several places.
The various State officers and clerks
were on the scene shortly after the fire
broke out, and they got to work remov-
ing their effects to places of safety.
SAVING BATTLE TROPHIES.
Most of the exhibits which are kept in
the Geological Museum, were at the New
Orleans Exposition or they would have
been burned up. The old battle flags were
rescued by the firemen and the police.
James w. Boyle, an old veteran, police
officer Murray and Thomas Cunningham,
member of the Good Will, were the
leaders aud at the risk Of their lives rush
ed through the binding smoke, broke
open the cases and saved the flags that
were on the left of the room. General
Kilpatrick's battle flag was saved by Ad-
jutant General Stryker. While the heat
was the greatest and the floor of the room
cracking underneath, Capt. Cunningham
crept ON his hands and knees into the
room, and succeeded in saving Gallant
Phil Kearney's saddle and sword.
RECORDS SAVED AND DESTROYED.
Much anxiety was felt for the safety of
the Chancery records, but when the fire
proof vaults were opened all the records
we're found in good state of preserva-
tion, being only slightly touched with
water. A few papers-those which lay
on the Chancellor's table to receive his
attention-were injured, but those can
be easily replaced. The entire records of
the Bureau of Statistics were destroyed.
They can be duplicated, but it will re-
quire extra expenses and labor.
The offices of the Secretary of the
State, State Treasurer, and Supreme
Court Clerk were mainly damaged by
water. In all the departments affected
the destruction of papers will cause a
serious embarrassment to business.
THE LOSS AND INSURANCE.
The actual damage to the building is
about $4,000 There is an insurance
ON tho whole building of $t75,00
with So, 900 on the furniture.
The Secretary Of State has engaged a
house across the street for his office.
The Treasurer has moved nto the ex-
ecutive parlor the clerk of Supreme
Court will occupy part of the State Ii
brary, and the Clerk of Chancery the
Court room.
Governor Albeit, Senator Sewell,
Treasurer Toffey and Comptroller An
derson have conferred over the situation
1t has been decided to build a hand
some fire-proof building that will be an
ornament to the State, and the Cover
nor has sent special message to the
LEGISLATURE, recommending the appoin-
mcnt of a commission to propose plans
to rebuild at once, and appropriating
800, 900 for that purpose.
The spectacle after the fire had been
extinguished was beautiful. The trees,
telephone and telegraph wires, and the
corniees of the building wero covered
with ice, while the yard in front was
turn ed into a skating rink, with ice as
smooth as glass. Pine, the photogra-
pher, took several pictures of the scene
The following persons also assisted in
securing the battle flags Thomas e.
Body, J. Smith, w. b. Cadwallader,
Baker Gummere, and w. S. Sulger.