The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-02-03
IT'S A MASS OF RUINS
Psnnsylvania's State Capitol at Har-
risburg Destroyed by Fire
HOUSE QUICKLY ADJOURNS
Senators, Aroused by Great Clouds
OF Smoke, Scramble for the
Doors The Loss Is
About 81, 100000.

iAaiilHhuitF itss Itbs - Ahf ifNheN y
vanla state capitol was destroyed by hrc
this afternoon. The executive halls are In
ruins and some arises from the ashes OF
the structure that has served as "a meet
Ing place OF the state legislature since
lSSs. The flames within the short space OF
an hour ate up one million and half dol
lnrs' worth OF property The inetiiclency
OF the Harrisburg volunteer fire depart
ment Is generally blamed.
The house was In session and the SEN
ate was about TO convene after few
minutes recess. IL was about I o'clock
when the flames were discovered. Smoke
could be seen In small volumes pouring
out into the capitol grounds from the
windows.
III the great clouds rolled by the win
dows. Instantly there was motion to
adjourn and all was CONSERVATION. In
the senate the members were lolilng
about In their seats. The place began to
smell OF smoke and soon deep clouds OF
smoke came down the rear elevator shaft
Senator Grady OF Philadelphia quickly
warned the senators and there was "a
bustle to remove effects. Fire alarms We're
sent In and the senate became a mass of
bowling men. Desks were being Jcrked
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 governor =
chambers, where the fire originated. The
fre department WAS slow TO arrive and
those about the capitol were doing their
utmost to check the blaze. At last the To-
cal companies started streams on the
senate wing roof, now a sheet Of liamcs
The water had hardly force enough TO
reach the blaze. Rapidly the flames de-
stroycd the roof and ate their way down
into the senate chamber. The men who
were trying 10 save the property were
driven out. The flames shot along the
senate roof and wound themselves about
the dome onto the roof OF the house
chamber. Although there was "A heavy
rain and snowfall. the woodwork burned
like tinder. Soon there WIS "A fire In cv-
cry norton of the building and there was
no hope for the histrionic structure.
During the 1re several persons were
slightly injured by falling timbers. For
lime IL looked as though the adjoining
department buildings would be destroyed.
but shifting wind saved them. About 2
o'clock the flames were under control.
the tire having been confined to the capt
tol building. The records OF this session
were saved. The contractor for the i'm
provements in progress held an Insurance
OF s10,0o0. his contract not being finished.
The departments In the burned building
were the following; Senate and house and
committee room. senate librarians room.
senate clerks room. smoking room. bar
ber shop In the senate. lieutenant gov
ernor's room. room OF the president pro
tenn. school department. house chief
clerks room, speaker OF the house room,
president clerks room. two telegraph Of
ficcs. room OF the Harrisburg Legislative
Correspondent asso, iation, cloak rooms
in both branches and the engine rooms.
There is talk OF finishing the session
either In Pittsburg or Philadelphia, hut
Senate Librarian Miller says building
can be secured here.
Superintendent Of Public Buildings De
laney, who estimates the loss 10 be 81 Co., =
600. 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 commit
tees can be appointed. I don't think II II
possible to take the session away from
Harrisburg, which city Is named In the
constitution as the place of meeting"
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