The herald., 1897-02-03
AN AMATEUR FIRE BRIGADE
Proves Worse Than Useless in the
Emergency
The Loss Is at Least a Million and a
Half Dollars-Talk of Re-
building.
Associated Press Special wire


Pennsylvania state capitol was destroyed
by fire this afternoon. The legislative
halls are in ruins. and a new structure
must arise from the ashes Of the struc-
ture that has served for meeting
place Of the state legislature since 1922.
The flames, within the short space of
one hour, ate up million and half
dollars worth of property Inefficiency
of the Harrisburg volunteer fire depart
ment is generally blamed.
The house was in session and the SEN
ate was about to convene after a short
recess. 1t was about IL o'clock when
the flames were discovered. Smoke
could be seen in small volumes pouring
out into the capitol grounds from the
house windows. The members were not
mindful OF 1t until the great clouds
rolled by the windows. Instantly there
was motion to adjourn, and all was
CONSERVATION. In the senate the men,
bers were lolling about in their seats
The place began to smell of smoke and
soon deep clouds of smoke came dowr
tho rear elevator shaft Senator Grady
OF Philadelphia quickly warned the SEN
ators. and there was hustle to remove
enects. Fire alarms were sent in and
men. Desks were being jerked loose and
carried out. The same work was go
ing on In the house chamber. Out in the
grounds great crowds quickly gathered.
The flames were then shooting out of the
roof of the lieutenant-governor cham
Der, where the fire originated. The fire
department was slow to arrive, and those
men about the capitol were doing their
utmost to check the blaze. 1t was USE
40 s1r~
streams OF water. At last the local
companies started streams on the SEN
ate wing roof, now a sheet Of flame. The
water hardly had 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 were driven out. The
names snot along the senate roof, wound
themselves about the dome and on to
the roof OF the house chamber. Although
there was heavy rain and snow fall.
the woodwork burned like tinder. Soon
tnere was f1re In every portion of the
building, and there was no hope for the
nistoric structure. During the fire sew
~. 3 ~. persons were slightly injured by
iainng timbers. For time it looked
as snough the adjoining department
buildings would be DESTROYED. but q
shifting wind saved them. Al 2 oclocE
the flames were under control. the fire
naving been confined to the capitol
building. p''oi
The records of this session were saved
,fne contractor for the improvements
IN progress held an insurance of $40. 600
ms contract not being finished. The de-
partments In the burned building were
tne pofpowlng: Senate house and COM
mittee rooms, senate chief clerks rooms
library, smoking room, barber slon in
senate, heutenant-governor's room. the
room OF the president pro tenn. school
house chief clerks Room
speaker of the houses room. resident
clerks room, two telegraph offices. the
room of the Harrisburg legislative cor
respordents' association, pastors and
folders departments, cloak rooms in
posn branches and the engine rooms.
There is talk of finishing the session
either in Pittsburg or Philadelphia, hut
Senate Librarian Miller says a BUILDING
can be secured here.
superintendent of Public BUILDINGS
Delaney, who estimates the loss to he
81, 500. 900, said: II will fight for the re-
on the colonial style. We will
have meeting of the building commit
tee as soon as the house and senate COM
mittees can be appointed. don't think
Il is possible to take the session away
AOAAE AA1AAiS 81 WulCIb City Is named
n the constitution as the place of meet
ing.
There is not much over $100, 900 insur-
ance on the building and contents. ac-
,ording to the statements of the treas
Try officials. The burned capitol was
ouilt early in the century, but was, new
regarded as one of the hand
'omest specimens of Ionic architecture
n the country. The building was one
" red brick with white trimmings. It
s surrounded by park Of ten acres and
stood on an eminence almost in the CEN
,er Of the city. The main structure was
wo and one-half stories high, sur
by large dome from which a
Inc view could be had
The capitoPs dimensions were: Length
80 feet, width 80 feet. The cornerstone
vas laid on May 81, 1919, by Governor
Tindlay. The building was finished in
821 and was first occupied by the gen.
,ral assembly in 1922
There are three fire companies on the
ground tonight but the fire still burns
n the cellar and part of the house.
Governor Hastings Is expected to send
message to the legislature in refer
,nce to the destruction of the capitol
,uilding and recommending immediate
lction Of the legislature wittfa, view to
he restoration Of the building.