The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-02-03
THE CAPITOL BUILDING OF PENN
SYLVANTA ENTIRELY DE-
STROYED BY FIRH.
LOSS OF FULLY sL5O0,000.
ONLY THE RECORDS OF THE
PRESENT LEGISLATIVE SES-
SION SAVED.
Volunteers OutcIassed I'm the Fight
With the Furious and Rapidly
Spreading Flames.

HARRISBURG, Pa, Feb. 3.-The
Pennsylvania state capitol was de-
stroyed by fire this afternoon, the leg
is1ative halls are in ruins, and a new
structure must rise from the ashes
Of what was the meeting place Of
the Pennsylvania Legislature since 1922.
The flames within the short space Of
one hour ate up $1,500, 900 worth Of
property. The inefficiency Of the Har-
risburg volunteer fire department is
generally blamed.
The house was in session, and the
senate was about to convene after a
few minutes recess about l O'Clock,
when the flames We're discovered.
Smoke could be seen IN small volumes
pouring out into the capitol grounds
from the house windows. The mem
bers were not mindful of it until the
great clouds rolled by the windows.
Instantly there was a motion to ad-
journ, and all was CONSERVATION.
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 ele-
vator shaft. Senator John G. Grady,
Of Philadelphia, quickly warned the
senators and there was a general hustle
to remove effects. Fire alarms were
sent in, and the dignified senate be-
came a mass Of bowling 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 depart
ment was slow to arrive, and the hose
men about the capitol we're doing their
utmost to check the blaze. 1t was use
less. The fire licked up the little
streams Of water At last the local
companies started streams on the SEN
ate wing roof, now a 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 SEN
ate chamber. The men who were try
ing to recover property were driven
out. The flames shot along the senate
roof, about the dome and on to the
roof of the house chamber. Although
there was a heavy rain and snowfall
the woodwork burned like tinder. Soon
there was a fire in every portion Of
the building, and there was no hope for
the structure.
During the fire several persons were
slightly injured by falling timbers.
For time it looked as though the ad-
joining department. buildings would be
destroyed, but a shifting wind saved
them. About two o'clock the flames
we're under control, the fire having
been
CONFINED TO THE CAPITOL
building. The records Of this session
were saved. The contractor for the
improvements in progress held an in
surance of $4,000, his contract not be-
ing finished. There Is talk Of finishing
the session either in Pittsburg or Phil
adelphia, but building will most like
ly be secured here.
superintendent Of Public Buildings
Delaney, who estimates the total loss
to be $1500,000 said: II will fight for
the rebuilding on the colonial style.
we Will have q meeting of the building
committee as soon as the house and
senate committees can be appointed.
I don't think that it is possible to take
the session away from Harrisburg,
which city Is named in the constitution
as the place of meeting" There was
not much over 500, 900 insurance on the
building and contents.
The burned capitol was built early
in the century, but was nevertheless
regarded as one of the handsDmest
SPECIMENS Of Ionic architecture in the
country. 1t was Of red brick with
white trimmings, standing on an emil
nence almost in the center Of the city
and surrounded by park of ten acres.
The corner stone was laid on May 81.
1919, by Gov Findlay and was first oc-
cupied by the general assembly, Jan. 3,
1922.
About 100 feet south Is the modern
granite building known as the execu-
tive building, recently erected at cost
OF nearly $1.000,000 for the accommoda-
tion of the governor, attorney general
and secretary Of state. There are