The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1911-03-29
PRICELESS DOCUMENTS
DESTROYED TO-DAY
The Flames Broke Out in the
Assembly Library, Being
Discovered By An Attend
ant. Many Firemen Had
Narrow Escapes.

Albany, n. Y, March 29.-Fire- swept
and water-drenched, New York states
S27,O0O,0O0 capitol stands this afternoon,
a partial wrecl, by flames, which start
ed in the Assembly library, burned away
the entire west wing and did damage
which is estimated between S5,000000
and $6,000,000 before the flames were
controlled, after raging more than four
hours. 1t is believed that the fire was
started by a fused electric push but
ton becoming electrified.
The fire was discovered by an attend.
ant in the Assembly library, but before
the firemen reached the structure, price
less documents, books and records, which
were stored in the library were de-
stroyed. The famous million-dollar
staircase was also destroyed
Among the departments destroyed or
damaged, are the state library, contain
ing 100000 volumes, among them the
most genealogical works in the United
States together with relics and priceless
documents; the Assembly and Senate IL
brary, which was stored with thousands
OF volumes Of law and code books; the
finance committee room, III which were
drafts OF all the appropriations and otn-
er bills Of the present session; the cham
Der of the president pro tenn of the
Senate In addition to this loss, the
lieutenant- governors room was badly
damaged, and the rich furnishings Of the
Senate and Assembly chambers were
ruined.
Fire Broke Out Anew.
Half an hour after the fire was con-
sidered to be under control, it broke
out afresh in the northwest angle. That
was at 10 o'clock But the fremen
drowned out the fresh outbreak and
within short time by bringing every
available line of hose into play on the
flames. Governor Dix was aroused, and
he remained in close touch with the
progress of the fight Finally it was
announced that the fire was under con-
troll, but even then the inside of the
capitol, on the upper floors OF the west
side, was still seething mass of flames.
When it became possible to enter the
building, it was found that as a COM
hined result OF fire, smoke and water,
the Assembly room was wrecked, and
wreck, ruin and confusion abounded in
the north wing. In every portion of the
west wing the rooms are hopeless
wreck.
Some Marrow Escapes.
The iremen had many narrow escapes
during the progress OF the fire, several
being trapped and others being overcome
by smoke. More were knocked uncon-
scious by falling debris, while they were
fighting the flames. Early in the fore
noon, three men were reported to be
missing, but they were accounted for by
noon.
Military supervision, approaching mar
tial law, was established early in the
forenoon about the capitol. II is eX-
pected that the legislature will take up
q rigid probing of the report about the
electric push button, which was report
ed out of commission by watchman
yesterday and not repaired during the
day This button is held to be respon-
sble for the conGsgration.
The electricians about the capitol
building secuted the idea that defective
wiring started the blaze. They blamed
it ON a carelessly thrown cigarette.
State Architect Ware announced this
afternoon that the loss at a rough es-
innate would be S5,000,000, exclusive of
the valuable records in the state library.
The firemen considered the Senate and
Assembly chambers practically intact.
with the exception of slight fire and
water damage. So far as can be sscer-
tanned, there is no insurance on the cap
itol or its contents.