The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-02-17
State House IN RUINS
Fire Destroys Pennsy|vania's Capitol
at Harrisburg.
LAWMAKERS FORCED TO FLEE.

Flames Broke Out as the Legislature was
About to Meet and Quickly Reduced
the Building to Ashes---Many Valuable
Records Destroyed---Loss Estimated at
$1,000, ,OoO---Origin OF the Fire U nknown
HARRIsBuRa, Penn. (SpeciaD.-A fire
which started in tho rooms Of Lieutenant
Governor Lyon shortly after noon Tuesday
swept through the ancient Capitol OF
Pennsylvania, and, within an hour and
half after the breaking out OF the flames. the
structure was In ruins. The Senate and
House we're about to reconvene for their
afternoon session when the fire burst through
the walls, and the lawmakers we're driven
for their lives to the open air. Quite num-
ber OF people were cut and bruised, or half
smothered BY smoke. The most valuable of
the State and legislative records which
were in the building were saved. but the
records and statistics Of the Department Of
Public Instruction. which included much
valuable information bearing upon the pub
lie schools OF the State we're destroyed. The
Legislature will find O temporary home, the
Senate in the rooms of the Supreme Court,
and the House In the United States District
Court, in the Postofice Building, and the
Legislature will at once take steps to have
the Capitol rebuilt.
The Senate was we'll filed when news OF
the impending disaster vas received, and it
spread rapidly smong the Senators and spec
tators that the fire was of q most serious ma
ture. Then there was scrambling for over
coats and hats, ami under the chief clerks
direction the Senate records were carried to
places OF safety:
In the House the 1rst intilnation OF the
Are was the discovery OF smoke in the
upper corridors The word was quickly
passed around and much excitement pre-
vailed. Rapidly tho members left their
seats and there were but few representa-
tives in the hall when two or three shout
ed out motions 10 adjourn. Representative
Voorhees,, Of Philadelphia, not realizing the
seriousness of tho situation, moved that the
calendar Of second reading bills be proceeded
with, but after the motion to adjourn had
been made there was rush for the doors.
With the arrival of the fire department
came thousands OF spectators, and the Cap
itol Park in the vicinity OF the burning
building was soon mass OF struggling hu-
manity. Before the f1remen could direct a
stream on the burning building 1t was
found that the flames were beyond control,
Many fremen we're posted on the roof.
There they fought the dames through
holes until they were compelled to retreat.
Hardly had they retired when the entire
Senate chamber roof fell in. When the fro
was finally gotten under control. the Senate
and House chambers and the headquarters
of several executive departments were in
ruins.
The total loss will probably reach 81, ,000,-
600. OF this sum about $500, 900 is covered
by insurance. The Senate and House will
probably meet in two Of the large halls in
this city. The origin OF the fire is unknown.
The Capitol was regarded as one OF the
handsomest specimens of Ionic architecture
in the country. The building was of red
brick with white trimmings. 1t was sur
rounded Ly park Of ten acres, and stood on
an eminence almost in the centre Of the city.
The main structure was two and half
stories high, surmounted by large dome.