The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1897-02-03
THE STATE
HOUSE BURNED
Serious Loss to the Taxpayers of
Pennsylvania.
THE LOSS A MILLION AND HALF
There Was only 500, oOo Insurance on the
Ruined struoture-The mencienoy Of
the Harrisburg Fire Department
Blamed For the Sweeping
Destruction.

w. LA1 AA4AN ~
halls are in ruins, A new structure must
rise from the ashes that has served as a
meeting place Of the Legislature since 1920.
The flames have eaten Zip 81, 500, 900 worth
Of property. The ineiiciency of the Har-
risburg fire department is blamed.
Thcre is not much over 800, 600 tnsur-
ance on the building and contents, ao-
cording to the statement of the treasury
officials. There was 800, 900 on the capt.
ltul building while the state library was in
It. Since hat time the library has been
removed to another structure, and the in
surance on the legislative halls has been
reduced to 6 $4,000. In addition to this there
Is Sl25,0O 0 carried on all the state build
lngs. A portion of this is on the capitol,
but how much the treasury ~ofiIials are
unable TO say. They think that there Is not
over 100000 on the legislative building.
A report was in circulation that the fire
was caused by the electric light wires. In
an interview with the officers of the Har-
risburg Electric ompany they stated that
1t did not and could not have originated
in that way. The building was rewired
several years ago at the time the reinsurance
was placed. The wiring was installed un-
der the rules and regulations of the board
Of fire underwriters, and was carefully in
spected and approved. The odor of smoke
was apparent to a number Of the senators
and employees from one to two hours be-
tore the fire was discovered. Had it been
caused by contact of wires the fire would
have been apparent in a very short time.
The theory which has the most founda-
lion in fact is that it originated from the
open hearth fire In the lieutenant COVER
nor's room and burned under the floor
along the joists to the hall partition
whore 1t was discovered
The house was in session and the senat
was about to convene after a few minutes
recess 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 it until the great clouds
rolled by the window. Instantly there
was a motion to adjourn, and all was con-
%yternation.
In the senate the members were lolling
about in their seats. The place began to
smell Of smoke, and soon dense clouds
rolled down the rear elevator shaft, SEN
ator John Grady, of Philadelphia, quickly
warned the senators, and there was q gem
sral 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 on in the house
chamber.
Out in the grounds great crowds quickly
gathered. The flames were then shooting
put of the roof over the lieutenant gov
srnor's chamber, where the fire originated.
The fire department was slow to arrive,
md the hosemen about the capitol were
doing their utmost to check the blaze. 1t
was useless, as the fire licked up the little
streams. At last the local companies
started streams on the senate wing roof,
now a sheet of flames, but the water had
hardly force enough to reach the blaze.
Rapidly the flames destroyed the roof
and ate their way down into the senate
chamber, and soon the men who were
frying to recover property were driven
put. The flames shot along the senate
roof, wound themselves about the dome
and on the roof of the house chamber. Al
though there was a heavy rain and snow
falling the woodwork burned like kind
ling wood. Soon there was a fire in every
portion 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 caused by different
things, though no one was fatally in
lured. For a time it looked as though the
adjoining department buildings would
DO destroyed, but a shifting wind saved
hem. The entire blaze was confined to
The capitol building. 1t was 5 o'clock this
morning before the flames were extin-
inguished. The records of this session
have been saved.
A meeting of Governor Hastings, At
borney General Mccormick, President
protein. McCarrell, Speaker Boyer, State
treasurer Haywood and Auditor General
Mylin was held last night to arrange tenn
porary quarters for the senate and house.
It was agreed to hold the senate meetings
IN the supreme court room and the house
I~essions in the third story of the postoflice
building. Both are we'll adapted for the
purpose. Another meeting was held to-
lay, when several halls were rendered by
citizens of Harrisburg
1t is likely that a joint session of both
branches of the legislature will be held to-
night or tomorrow to decide upon the
luture meeting places. Great confusion
exists now, and it is probable that both
houses viii adjourn tonight or tomorrow
1ntil the necessary printing and other
preparations have been made for the re-
sumption of regular legislative sessions.
There has been some talk Of finishing
The session in either Pittsburg or Phila-
ielphia, but Superintendent John Delaney
says: Il don't think that it is possible to
lake the session away from Harrisburg.
The capitol city is named in the constitu-
lion as the place Of meeting 1 will fight
TOR rebuilding the capitol on the colonial
style"
The destroyed building was built early
IN the century, but was nevertheless re-
garded as one Of the handsomest speci-
mems of Ionic architecture in the country.
The building was Of red brick, with white
trimmings, surrounded by a park of ten
acres, and stood on an eminence almost
In the centre Of the city. The main struc-
ture was two and one-half stories high,
-gurmounted by a large dome, from which
0 fine view of the surrounding country
could be had The Dimensions were ;
Length, 1870 feet; width, so feet. The build
Ing was finished in 1921, and was first oc-
Oupied by the general assembly on Jan. B.,
1922. On each side was a wing, that on the
north being occupied by the n and
the southern wing by the house. At each
End Of the building, separated from 1t by
q narrow space, are located two buildings
containing a state treasury department.,
the adjutant generals Office and other
state offices. About 100 feet south is the
a. a 4