Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1897-02-04
BURNING OF THE STATE
CAPITOL.


annoyed by the smell of burning wood
and by smoke, for some time, and two
of them traced the smoke TO the rooms
OF the Lieutenant Governor. over the
Senate Chamber Here smoke was
| seen issuing from the partition and
floor. They cut hole in the floor and
poured in some water, but this had no
effect and the fire soon broke through
the ceiling of the Senate Chamber and
spread rapidly Superintendent Shat
fer whose rooms adjoin those of the
Lieutenant Governor, saved his waF-
rant book and it alone. Lieutenant
Governor Lyon was out of town at the
time.
The alarm was given, and the city
fire department made its appearance,
but could not check the progress OF the
flames which soon spread to the dome,
and the whole building was doomed
The roof and dome timbers were ''as
dry as powder, stiff breeze was blow
ing. and in less than two hours after
the first alarm was given the whole
thing was mass of ruins. The fire Is
supposed to have originated from the
electric light wires in the partition, or
between ceiling and floor, and TO have
been smouldering for hours before being
discovered.
The most valuable of the State rec
OF ba l.T1rnad hT1IldInO
having been taken soon after its com
pletion to the fire proof executive build
ing. This is matter of congratulation
among the State officials and was on
the subject of the conversation Many
Of the members, pages, messenger boys,
pastors and folders, transcribing clerks
and newspaper men hurried about re
moving what personal effects they had
All the important records, including
the Journals of the Senate and House
were saved At o'clock about all that
remained Of the old capitol were the
walls.
Several firemen were injured by fall
ing timbers and a number of capitol
employees were hurt. There were many
| narrow escapes from death. a large
dog was pinioned in one of the base
| ment rooms and his piteous howls were
! heard for an hour before death ended
his suffering.
The capitol was insured. 1t had been
on fire scores Of times in the past, but
never seriously. 1t had never been in
sured until Speaker Boyer was State
Treasurer, when he called Gov. Patti
sons attention to the fact, and then it
| was insured. The insurance was about
$500, 900 and the loss is estimated at 81
| 000, 900 There was much handsome
furniture. The fire took with it these
separate rooms: The Senate chamber,
offices of the clerk and Senate librarian,
Senate committee rooms, Lieutenant
Governors apartments and offices Of
the Superintendent Of Public Instruc-
tion, the House chamber committee
rooms, Speakers office, resident and
chief clerks apartments and newspa-
per rooms.
The records and statistics of the De
partment of public instruction were de-
stroyed, including much valuable statis-
tical information regarding the public
schools. DIR. Schaffer saved the war
rant book
II is hard to tell whether there was
any loss of life or not, there was large
numbe of foolhardy people in the
building when the roof Of the dome and
upper floors of the Senate chamber col
lapsed
Before the flames had been got under
control the search for a new home for
the Legislature began. a number ex-
pressed strong desire 10 20 TO Philadel-
phia, where it was presumed adequate
quarters could be secured, but this plan
was found to be open to grave constitu
tional objections and has been practical
ly abandoned. A preliminary meeting
at which President Pro TEN McCarrell
and Speaker Boyer were present, with
leaders Of the House and Senate was
held at o'clock A telegram was read
from Gov Hastings, VINO was in Pnlla-
delphia, announcing that he would re
turn and call a meeting Of the board Of
property at 8 o'clock There was gen
cral discussion, ending in decision TO
have the Senate meet at II o'clock in
the Supreme court room and the
House at the same hour in the United
States court room. Seats and some
temporary desks 10 be provided by that
time. The Legislative program was con
sidered at some length. Some OF those
present advised recess for some time
while others thought the Legislature
should remain in session and provide
for new capitol
At o clock there was public meet
ing Of the citizens of Harrisburg, called
and presided over by Mayor Patterson
All the available halls in the city were
placed at the disposal Of the State, Qnd
committee appointed to wait on the
Governor. Gov Hastings, with Treas
urer Haywood and Attorney General
| Mylin, visited the rooms selected and
made hasty arrangements for the SEES
sion Of next day.
The Governor was disposed TO think
that the supreme court room could be
| used for some time by the Senate and
| that hall over the library might be
acceptabi. IT, the House. Senator Finn
though made a practical suggestion,
which is meeting with general favor.
He thinks "A church building with two
halls can be secured, 30 that the Senate
and house can meet under the same
| roof Two Of the trustees OF one Of the
| church structures in the city are Of the
| opinion that it can be secured and will
| bring the matter before meeting Of
their colleagues
| Gov Hastings said to a correspondent
| There il not the slightest necessity
for the session Of the Legislature 10 be
! abandoned for Il single day. The State
has encountered great loss but the
emergency will be prompts I,ft. OF
| course. it il for the Legislature To make
permanent arrangements, but the board
| Of properly viii see that meeting
place is provided until that il done.
Coy. Hastings Tuesday night teie-