The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-02-03
Pennsylvania StateHOuSe
Destroyed.
Estimated Loss Million and
a Half.
Fire Department Of harrisburg Said
TO Be Inefficient.


legislature since 1922. The flames have
eaten up sl.50o.0OO worth of property.
The ineficiency OF the Harrisburg VOL
unteer fire department is generally
blamed. The house was I'm session. and
the senate was about TO convene after
a few minutes recess. when flames were
discovered. Smoke could be seen in
small volumes pouring out into the capi-
tol grounds from the house windows.
The members were not mindful of 1t un-
til the great clouds rolled by the win
dows. Instantly there was a motion to
adjourn. and all was CONSERVATION.
In the senate, the members were lol!-
ing about in their seats The place be-
gan to smell of smoke, and soon dense
shaft. Senator John c. Grady OF Phila-
delphia quickly warned the senator's.
and there was n general hustle to remove
effects. Fire alarms were sent in, and
soon the dignified senate was a mass OF
bowling men. Desks were being jerked
loose and carried out. The same work
was going oil in the house chamber.
out in the grounds. great crowds
quickly gathered. Flames were then
shooting out the roof over the lieuten-
ant governors chamber where the fire
originated. The fire department was
slow To arrive, and the hosemen about
the capitol were doing then utmost TO
check the blaze. 1t was useless. The
fire licked up the little streams of wa
ter.
Rapidly the flames destroyed the roof
end ate their way down into the senate
chamber Soon the men who were try
Ing to recover property were driven out.
The fiames shot along the senate roof,
wound themselves about the dome and
on to the roof OF the house chamber. AL
though there was a heavy rain and snow
falling, the WOODWORK burned like tin
der. Soon there was fire in every por-
tion of the building. and there was no
hope for the historic structure.
During the fire numerous people were
injured by falling timbers and by several
little explosions resulting from differ
ent causes. No one was fatally hurt.
however. For a time. IL looked as
though the adjoining department build
ings would be destroyed but a shifting
Wlnu saved ne entire DlaZe naQ
been confined to the capitol building.
The records OF this session have been
saved. Meetings of house and senate
VIII be held today to determine what
shall be done.
Those who fingered on the border Of
the senate chamber saw a bright flame
leap out from above the speakers chair
and then around the chandeliers ap-
a
away the frescoing on the ceiling and
burned the fastenings Of the chandeliers,
which came down with a crash. 1t was
plain that the old building was doomed.
Then a cry went w that the fire had
leaped the rotunda and was climbing up
through the dome and back into what
was known as the old state library sec
ton of the building. occupied at the
time as committee rooms and by the
president pro tenn, with a large caucus
room at the end. A shower of sparks
dropped from above into the rotunda
with a loud cracking noise. and then a
burst of flame swept through the doors
and into the house, which had adjourned
some time before. Warning was sound
ed that the portion Of the building be-
meath the old library was on fire. But,
tables, there was nothing of value gotten
out of the building.
Along about 2 o'clock the fire was un-
der control.
The old capitol the finest piece Of
colonial architecture in the state. was
completely destroyed; every department.
In II lost everything. and the loss is
complete. The contractor for the i'm
20 In hod itc,
ance of $4,000, his contract not being
finished.
Just as soon as the legislature can
meet a bill will be introduced to re-
build the capitol at once.
The departments in the burned build
ing were the following: Senate and
house. all OF the committee rooms. the
senate librarians room. senate chief
clerks room. smoking room. barber
shop in senate, lieutenant governors
room. room Of president pro tenn. school
department. house chief clerks room,
speaker of house room. resident clerks
room. two telegraph offices. room OF the
Harrisburg Legislative Correspondents
association. parlor and folders depart
ments. cloak rooms Of both branches
and the engine rooms.
either In Pittsburg or Philadelphia.
Senate Librarian Miller says building
can be procured here. a session will
be held today to arrange for this. 4 re-
cesss will then be taken FOR few days.
Superintendent OF Public Buildings
Delaney places the loss at 81, 500. .000
Il WILL" said he. fight for the rebuild
Ing on the colonial style. We viii have
q meeting Of the building committee as
eoon as the house and senate committees
can be appointed. I don't think that IL
is possible 10 take the session away
from Harrisburg. which city Is named in
the constitution as the place of meet
ing"
There is not much over 800. 900 insur-
ance on the building and contents, ac-
cordinE 10 the statement OF the treasury
officials -1,AeEe-Aras-S4a .eee-rr,- tfry
capitol building while the state library
was I'm IL. After IL was removed TO an
other structure the insurance on the
legislative halls was reduced TO SEQ. 600.
In addition 20 this, there is si23 600 in