The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-01-05
Special to The Journal.

Special to The Journal.
Des Moines, Iowa, Jan. 5.-Iowa's beau
tiful So, 200, 900 capitol building bedecked
for the reception Of the thirt1eth general
assembly, which convenes next Monday.
sustained a 100000 fire loss yesterday.
Governor Cumnins and other official were
dazed at the disastrous work of the fire,
and for time the statehouse was given
up as doomed.
At Is o'clock last evening the fire was
controlled after completely cutting the
north wing. The fire was carried by oils
in magnificent paintings and expensive
fresco work thru the corridors and ~ro-
tunda, tapping up decorations and drap-
cries. With less than q sixty pound water
pressure the firemen were tpoWerless to
cope with the, fiames.'ss 4-e' -s2g5 =
From a Lighted Candle.
Workmen left a lighted candle in a
room where paints and oils had been
stored by the gang Of men repairing and
altering the building. Just how the blaze
was communicated to the paints and oils
will perhaps never be known. Samuel
Addington,, in charge Of the painters,
went to the storeroom at, II o'clock yes
terday morning. A great cloud of smoke
enveloped him as he opened the door. He
gave the alarm at once. In fifteen min
utes the fire had spread thru the entire
north wing and was being rapidly COM
municated thru the walls to all parts of
the building. The north wing, containing
the house chamber and committee rooms,
is a complete wreck. 81
Governor WorkedaLike Trojan.
Downing a pair Of high-top rubber boots,
which he used during Des Moines' last
flood, Governor Cummins threw aside all
dignity and waded in to help the firemen.
With the firemen he dashed into the house
chamber and assisted In removing desks,
chairs and directing the work Of an army
Of volunteers which he himself called from
the streets. - .*~> - it,s,E:
: Not until he was tapped on the shoulder
by Chief Burnett Of the fire department
and told that the part'fof the building in
which he was working was no longer safe
did Governor Cumntns retire.
Wanted Their Flags. - ~ s
. Many touching scenes marked the prog
ress of the fire. A delegation Of old sol
diers called upon Governor rl Cumm i7F at
3 O'clock a7es4: hatfr,.f So.
battle-scarred. hero They are SAFE
said the governor. Il passed them just
a minute ago. In vain the police tried
to keep back the veterans, who crowded
over ropes and guards to the rotunda,
where the battle flags occupy cQnspicu-
Gus position in a big. glass case. It was
not necessary TO remQYei the flags from
the building sss":s. Ii: ~ ~ ,S
T. Secretary Of State Martin and State
Auditor Carroll personally superintended
1.-THE work ofJremovinga records from their
offices, which were 1watersoaked. The
officials waded in water in the easements
a foot deep. -@=-~s--'--'- 5-~----- ~.---
| 70, ~: Militia on Guard.
~ Governor Curnmins called out the state
y,oili oool at o'clock
| evening to guard the statehouse ruins
and for the protection Of records scattered
| thru the buildings and grounds. The oil
| rectors of the Capital City State bank
which ewnsa a new sseven-store block Jus'
completed, offered last night to the state
the free use eef theG building for state Of
fees until the capitol can be repaired.
Legislature Likely to Adjourn AZ.
The legislature will meet next Monday
to canvass the vote Of 1.-The last genera
election. Governor Cummins will be- In
! augurated Thursday evening at Fosters
opera house. r After, cal,yassing. the vote
and installing: the officers 1t is propaple
i that the legislature will adjourn until sucf
/ time as. suitable quarters for It's accom-
mediation can be secured.
T All political and legislative work Is los
sight Of in the face Of the states grea
loss, The capitol building is the pride O
all Iowa. It was commenced in 1871 AM
completed in 1884. While not so large a.
the capital at Albany, n. Y, which cos
amost SIS, OO0,O 900, the Iowa capitol ha
been pronounced by many builders IN
superior in architecture and design ant
I interior fittings.
IL. No Insurance.
The state carried no insurance upon tn
building. Iowa boards Of control nav
adhered to the policy established years ag
against insuring state property. There u
a strong sentiment against changing tn
| policy. The state has lost $500, 900 in tn
Council Bluffs school for the deaf, an
$40O,O 900 at Iowa State college, Ames, dur
ing the past year on account OF fire. an
S2OO, 900 by tornado at the asylum Tor Zee
BILE minded at Genwood. e.,
1t. is an irony Of fate that the recen
S125,0 900 spent on the capitol contribute
to it's destruction. The oils, ignited D
the candle, had been stored In the buud
ing by the. commission. The fresh fres
Going on the walls helped carry the f!rt
Tho beautiful painting in the center dome
a clouded sky, remains intact, except re
markings made by the smoke.
Able to Restore 1t.
The capitol will be repaired as soon q
the legislature can place the work in tn
r hands Of a commission and appropriat
: the money. Iowa is out of debt and wi
be able to pay the bill.
Several Injured.
Two aremen were slightly injured in tn
house chamber by falling walls. Janite
A. j. Alibers was overcome with smoh
and when carried out was thought to {
dead. He has completely recovered. Mis-
Elrey, an assistant librarian, sustaine
slight injuries. $50
}, POISONED HERSELF FOR Low.
| s. .s
Quarrel Of Sisters in an Iowa Tow
+ Leads to a Tragedy. -.