The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1897-02-06
IN ASHES.
Ponnsylvania's Historical State
House Is Burned.
lawmakers Scramble 90 Escape from
tho Burning Buliulng-1he Property
Loss Il Estimated at Abont
0I,B0O,0oO.


Harrisburg. Pa, Feb. 3.-The Penn
sylyania state capitol was destroyed by
fire Tuesday afternoon. The iegis-
jatlve halls are In ruins, and new
structure must rise from the ashes that
has served as meeting place OF the
Pennsylvania legislature since 1922.
The flames within the short space OF
one horr ate up si,5oo.ooo worth of
property.
The house was in session. and the
senate. about TO convene after a few
minutes recess. was out at one o'clock,
when the flames were discovered.
Smoke could be seen in small volumes
pouring into the capitol grounds from
the house windows. The members
were not mindful OF IL until the great
clouds rolled by the windows. Instant
~ there was IA motion 20 adjourn. and all
was consiernntion. In the senate the
rncmbcrs were lolling about in their
seats. The place began 10 smell of
smoke. and soon dense clouds rolled
down the rear elevator shaft. Senator
John {. Grady. of Philadelphia. quickly
warned the senators. and there was a
general hustle TO remove effects. Fire
alarms were sent in, and the dignifed
senate became Il mass OF bowling men.
Desks were being jerked loose and car
sicd out The same work was going
on in the house chandler.
Out In the grounds great crowds quick
iy gathered. The flames were then
shooting out Of the roof over the lieu
tenant governors chamber, where the
fire originated. The fire department
was slow to arrive, and the hose men
about the capitol were doing their ut
most TO check the blaze. Rapidly the
flames destroyed the roof and ate their
way down into the senate chamber.
The flames shot along the senate roof,
wound themselves about the dome and
onto the roof of the house chamber.
Although there was n heavy rain and
snowfall. the woodwork burned like
finder Soon there was q fire IN every
portion of the building. and there was
no hope for the historic structure. For
time ii looked as though the ndioin-
isg department buildings would be de-
stfoyed. but shifting wind saved them.
About two o'clock the flames were un-
der control, the fire having been confined
10 the capitol building.
A large number OF persons were
slightly injured by falling glass when
the crash came. The origin OF the
fire Is in doubt. The insurance on the
building is placed at 100000. The in
terror of the house had just been re-
modelled at cost of $4,000. In add-
ton TO the insurance given above, the
contractor hnd an insurance OF $4,000
The loss will probably reach Si,500,000,
with about $300,0O insurance.
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 valu-
able information bearing upon the pub
lie schools OF the state. were destroyed.
President Pro TEN. McCarrcll. of the
senate. and Speaker Boyer. of the house.
and the members of the board of pub
lie property met in the evening 20 ar
range for places OF meeting for both
branches Of the legislature to-day. II
was decided that the senate should
nltCt TIC WIFI AObAis Aii'
arrangements were made for the meet
ing OF the house i'm n room on the sec
.ond floor OF the post Office building.
Gov. Hastings Is expected TO send a
message TO the legislature this morn
ing in reference to the destruction Of
the capitol building. and recommending
immediate action on the part OF the
legislature with view 10 the restorn-
ton OF the capitol.
1.-THE state capital was handsome brick
atructure situated on n knoll ia "A park Of
ten ncres IL was $50 feet long. 50 feet
wide. with n circular ionic portico IN front.
and was surmounted by a fine dome. II
was begun I'm 1919 and first occupied on
January 2S. 1892 The original cost OF the
structure. including grounds. was 500. CSS.
but since It's erection u has frequently
been cmbellished at large cost. Within the
last two years II has been remodeied az n
cost OF $50 900. and the handsome frescoing
az the legislative chambers was oven yet
uncompieted. The capitol was occupied
by the house aud senate. the offices OF the
CLERKS and senate librarian. house and sen~
ate committee rooms. the state forestry
commission. the game commission. thr
lieutenant governors apartments. rooms
for the president pro TEN. OF the senate and
the speaker OF the house. offices OF the su.
perlntondent OF public instruction. the resi-
dent and chief clerks apartments ano
newspaper rooms.l
BROKE THROUGH THE ICE.