Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-02-03


Half. 'a.s
Harrisburg, Pa, February 2.-The
Pennsylvania State Capitol was des-
troyed by fire this afternoon. the leg
islative halls are in ruins and a new
structure must rise from the ashes Of
the building that has served as a meet
ing place of the Pennsylvania legisla-
ture since 1922. The flames within a
short space of one hour ate up one
million and a Lalf dollars worth Ct pro-
perty.
The inefiiciency OF the Harrisburg
volunteer fire department is generally
blamed.
The House was in session and the
Senate was about TO convene. About
one o'clock the flames We're pouring
from the windows. The members were
not mindful of it until the great clouds
! rolled by the windows. 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
| clouds rolled down the rear elevator
shaft. Senator John G.. Grady. OF Phil
adelphia. quickly warned the Senators
and there was a general hustle TO re-
move effects. Fire alarms were sent in
and the dignified Senate became mass
of bowling men. Desks were being
jerked loose and carried out. The same
work was going on in the House cham
| ber.
Out in the grounds great crowds
quickly gathered The flames were
then shooting ont 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 were doing their
utmost TO check the blaze. II was use
less. The fire licked up the little
streams of water. At last the local
cOmpanies started streams on the Sem
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 inc
senate chamber. The ms V'Hr6 T--
trying to recover property were driven
out. The flames shot along the senate
| roof. wound themselves about the dome
! and onto the roof of the house chamber.
! Although there was a heavy rain and
snow falling the woodwork burned like
finder. Soon there was a ire in every
! nortion of the building and there was
| no hone for the historic structure.
| During the fire several persons were
slightly injured by falling tlmDers.
/ For a time il looked as though the ad-
| Joining department buildings would
he DESTROYED. but a shifting wind saved
them. About 2 o'clock the flames were
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 had an insurance Of S'V.OOO'
! his contract not being finished
The departments in the Dufheu Dui'u-
| ing were the following
Senate and house and comW'l'ee
rooms: senate librarians room senate
chief clerk room; smoking room Dal-
/ ber sbop i'm senate. lieutenant COVER
nor's room. room OF president protein
school department. house cniei oieIh
room sneaker of house room, resi-
| dant clerks room. two telegraph onces'
roor, ~ the Harrisburg legislative
ac,.,. logr', ,.'snondents' association. paster and
soidore donartments. cloak rooms 10
ho,b branches and the engine rooms
Tberc /. tax OF finishing 'ne session
eitber in Ptt-burg orr philadelphia h"t
Senate Librarian Miller t} "'''9
can be- secured here.
s,periniendent of Public I.HIhE-
is,.y who estimates tH, total loss al
q III ooo s,id.
..t ...n, doh, ror 1s rebuilding on tho
,o,,,,..l s,,l. ~. v,u haye t meeting or
,s,' h,,,dIn,, conm.rts, as soon as the
t,o,,so and senate committee can be- APP
Ia'u.ea - AM dor., mink chat 30 s possibl-
TO take the session a"l' l''"
tion as the place OF meeting
,rboro is NOT much over 10000 Insurance
ON tbc buildIne and contents. according 20
,rh, h,,rr.d capifol was huIt early IN
,ha .on,nry but was nevertheless re-
eardod ss one of the haylsomest speri-
mems of Ionic architccturo IN the coun'Iy. ','..
The building was Of rcd brick with "i.,' VINO
trimmings. It was surrounded by a pm
OF ten acres and stood OBJ 'n ein'n,'',s t',s
almost in the centre Of thc "'''. j. me .'. I.',..
structure was two anu '