The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1897-02-05
CAPITOL DESTROYED.
Pennsylvania Legislative Halls
In Ruins.
LOSS ESTIMATED AT 1880, 900.
Ineffciency of the Harrisburg Volunteer
Fire Department BIamed-MembeTs of
the Legislature Saved All They Could
Insurance Only 5000, 900.


by fire, the legislative halls are in ruins,
and a new structure must rise from the
ashes that has served as a meeting
place of the Pennsylvania legislature
since 1922. The flames within the short
space of one hour ate up 81, 100000
worth of property. The lnefficiency of
the Harrisburg volunteer fire depart
ment is generally blamed.
The house was in session and the sem
ate was about to convene after few
minutes recess, when the flames were
discovered Smoke could be seen in
ymall volumes pouring out into the
capitol grounds from the house win
doWs. The members were not mindful
of it until the great clouds rolled by
the windows. Instantly there was a
motion to adjourned and all was con-
sternatiOn.
In the senate the members were lOll-
ing about in their seats The place
began TO smell of smoke and soon dense
clouds rolled down the rear elevator
shaft. Senator John @. Grady of Phil
adelphia quickly warned the senators
and there was general hustle TO re-
move effects. Fire alarms were sent IN
and the dignified senate became mass
of howling men. Desks were being
jerked loose and carried out. The same
work was going on IN the house
chamber.
Out in the grounds great crowds
quickly gathered. The flames were
then shooting out of the roof over the
lieutenant governors chamber, where
the fire originated. The fire department
was slow TO arrive and the hOsemen
about the capitol were doing their
utmost to check the blaze. 1t was use
less. The fire licked up the little
Of rot
At last the local companies started
streams on the senate wing roof, then
sheet of flames. The water had hardly
force enough to reach the blaze
Rapidly the flames destroyed the roof
and ate their way down into the senate
chamber The men who were trying to
recover property We're driven out. The
flames shot along the senate roof,
wound themselves about the dome and
on to the roof of the house chamber AL
though there was heavy rain and snow
falling the woodwork burned like tin
der. Soon there was a fire in every
portion of the building and there was
no hope for the historic structure. Dur
ing the fire several persons were slight
ly injured by falling timbers. For a
time it looked as though the adjoining
apartment buildings would be de-
stroyed, but shifting wind saved
them.
The records of this session were saved.
The contractor for the improvements
in progress had an insurance of $40, 900,
his contract not being finished.
The departments IN the burned build
ing were the following:
Senate and house committee rooms,
senate librarians room, senate chief
chief clerks room, smoking room, bar
Der shop in senate, lieutenant governor S
room, room of president pro tenn,
school department, house chief clerk 5
room, speaker of houses room, resi-
dent clerks room, two telegraph offices,
room of the Harrisburg Legislative Cor
respondents association, paster and
folder departments, cloak rooms in both
branches and the engine rooms.
There is talk of finishing the session
either in Pittsburg or Philadelphia, but
Senate Librarian Miller says building
can be secured here.
Superintendent of Public Buildings
Delaney. who estimates the total loss to
be 81, 500, ,000 said:
II will fight for the rebuilding on the
colonial style. We will have a meeting
of the building committee as soon as
the house and senate committees can be
appointed. 1 don't think that it is pos
sible to take the session away from
Harrisburg, which city is named IN the
constitution as the place of meeting"
There is not much over $3.50, 900 in
surance ON the building and contents,
according TO the statement of the
treasury officials.
The burned capitol was built early
in the century, but was nevertheless re-
garded as one of the handsomest speci-
mems of Ionic architecture in the
country. The building was of red
brick. with white trimmings. 1t was
surrounded by park of ten acres and
stood on an eminence almost in the
center of the city. The main structure
was two and one-half stories high,
surmounted by large dome, from
which fine view of the surrounding
country could be had. The capitol
dimensions were: Length, $50 feet
width, so feet.
The cornerstone was laid on May 81,
1919, by Governor Findlay. The build
ing was finished in 1921 and was first
occupied by the general assembly on
the Sd of January, 1922. On each side
was wing, that on the north being oc.
cupied by the senate and the southern
wing by the house. At each end of the
building, separated from it by a narrow
space, are located two buildings con.
tanning the state treasury department
and adjutant generals office and other
state offices. About 100 feet south is
the modern granite building known a:
the executive building, recently erected
at a cost of nearly 81 ,0O0. 900, for the ac
cOmmodation of the governor, attorney
general and secretary of state.
This building also shelters the state
library and portion of it is used as
state museum. The library is one OF
the finest in the world, and, until ter
years ago, was quartered in the struc
ture destroyed by fire. 1t was the dan
ger from fire that constantly menaceC
the library in the old building that in
anthnrlt1PG
proof structure in which 1t is now 10
Gated.
President Pro Tenn. McCarrell of tn,
senate and Speaker Boyer of the hous,
and the members of the board of public
property met to arrange for places o
meeting for both branches Of the legis
ture today. 1t was decided that tn,
senate shall meet in the supreme court
room and arrangements were made fol
the meeting OF the house in a room Oh
the second floor of the postott1c,
building.
Governor Hastings is expected to senC
message to the legislature today il
reference to the destruction of the capi
tol building and recommending imme
diate action on the part of the legisla
ture with a view to the restoration o.
the capitol building.
1t Is likely that joint sessions of boil
branches of the legislature will be helC
today or tomorrow to decide upon TIL,
future meeting places.
The loss Is hard to estimate. Many
documents went up in fire and smok,
that no price can be fixed on. They cal
never be replaced.
There are perpetual policies of insur
ance, aggregating Sl23, 900 on all the
is credited to the capitol is not known
In addition to this $40 600 was takel