The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1897-02-04
CAPITOL DESTROYED.
Pennsylvania Legislative Halls
In Ruins.
LOSS ESTIMATED AT 81 800, 900.
tnefficiency of the Harrisburg Volunteer
Fire Department BIamed-Members of
the Legislature Saved All The - ould
Insurance Only sa0e,oOo.

HkRRIsBURd, Feb. 3.--The Pennsyl-
vania state capitol has been destroyed
by fire, the legislative halls are in ruins,
and new structure must rise from the
ashes that has served as o meeting
place of the Pennsylvania legislature
since 1929. The flames within the short
space Of one hour ate up 81 100000
worth Of property. The Inefficiency Of
the Harrisburg volunteer FIRE depart
ment is generally blamed.
The house was in session and the sem
ate was about to convene after few
minutes recess, when the flames were
discovered. Smoke could be seen ir
small volumes pouring out into the
capitol grounds from the house win
dows. The members were not mindful
of it until the great clouds rolled by
the windows. Instantly there was a
motion to adjourned and all was con-
sternation.
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 elevator
shaft. Senator John @. 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 dignificd senate became a mass
of howling 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
oh hat xHyba bara
the fire originated. The fire department
was slow to arrive and the hosemen
about the capitol were doing their
utmost to check the blaze. 1t was use
less. The fire licked up the little
streams of water.
At last the loca' companies, started
streams on the senat, ng roof, then
sheet of fle emes.. The ' had hardly
force enough to, reach thu y.
Rapidly the flames destr" - the roof
and ate their wav DO % the senate
chamber. Thr .,uO were. trying to
recover property We're driven out. The
flames shot along the senate roof,
wound themselves about the dome and
ON to the roof of the house chamber. AL
though there, was heavy rain and snow
falling the woodwork burned like tin
der. Soon there was fire in every
norton of the bnilding and there was
no hope for the historic structure. Dur
ing the fire several persons were slight
ly injured by falling timbers. For q
time it looked as though the adjoining
apartment buildings would be de-
stroyed, but shifting wind saved
/ them.
The records of this session were saved.
The contractor for the improvements
In progress had an insurance of $40, 900,
his contract not being finished.
The departments in the burned build
| ing were the following:
Senate and house committee rooms,
senate librarians room, senate chief
chief clerks room, smoking room, bar
Der shop in senate, lieutenant governors
room, room of president pro tenn,
school department, house chief clerks
room, speaker of houses room, resi-.
dent clerks room, two telegraph offices,
room of the Harrisburg Legislative Cor,
respondents association, paster and
folder departments, cloak rooms in both
branches and the engine rooms.
There is not much over $l90, 900 in
surance on the building End contents
according to the statement Of the
treasury officials.