The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1911-02-09
State Capitol Burned.

only the smouldering ruins and black
ened walls of the historic old State
Capitol will remain as reminder of
the spectacular fire which gutted it
tonight. The interior, including all
of the rooms, except two occupied by
the secretary, is burning fiercely, and
the strenuous efforts of the volunteer
fremen of Jefferson City and band
of convict fire fighters from Missouri
Penitentiary can not stay them. A bolt
Of lightning at 7 p. m, which struck
the Capitol dome, was the cause of the
conhagration.
Invaluable records, which money
can not replace, have been destroyed.
Other data still more valuable, includ-
ing the land records in the Office of
the secretary of state, were saved.
The destruction of these would have
ieopardized the title of thousands of
acres of land in Missouri. They were
the original government grants and
could not be replaced.
Probably $4,000 in money and
scrip is locked up in the vault in the
state treasurer's office. Attaches of
the Office said tonight that there was
about $4,000 in money and about
$4,000 Of legislative scrip for which
the state is liable. The vault is sup
posed to be fireproof.
It was impossible to remove the
records from this Office, for the vault
has a time lock and could not be
opened. A heroic fight was put up to
save the old building, but nothing
could be done The dome burned
like tinder. In a short time flames
were licking out every aperture and
window, and the fremen were driven
down into the building.
Gov. Hadley was one of the earliset
on the scene, and Cornelius Roach,
State Superintendent Evans, State
Auditor Cord IN and the other officers
Of the State Government arrived soon.
With the flames creeping down the
dome into the building proper, the
fight was begun to save the states
records. Gov. Hadley and the other
state officers superintended the work.
Hundreds of men from the city and
the members Of the Legislature assisted
in the work.
A vivid fash of lightning, a sharp
rumble of thunder, and an instant later
flame, which seemd no larger than
burning match, crept out of the tip of
the cupola. It burned for several
minutes unnoticed, save by a group of
boys who were playing on the Capitol
sward. Assuming a circular motion
the flames wound down the dome and
doubled back on the opposite side of
the citadel, and, famed by stiff gale,
rapidly grew in volume.
The boys who had watched the
olaze from its inception, finally rushed
10 the Madison Hotel and notified a
coterie OF politicians who had returned
nom st. Louis on afternoon trains.
Inc alarm was sounded by degrees
anu finely it reached the members of
'ne volunteer department, the majority
I" whom were scattered over all parts
Oh the city partaking of their evening
meal. Fully twenty minutes had been
consumed before the horses were
nl'ched to the truck and the miniature
'He Department was started On its
way
iWo-thirds of the entire population
VI 'ae city arrived at the Capitol with
he Fire Department.. Hundreds
'"afmed inside the old structure to
'hef assistance in robbing the flames
" valuable records, which filled nearly
every Office in the great building.
on the outside, fanking the capitol
.u aii sides, stood bulwark of human
N.Y. Children played games, while
eoes romped around the yard, baying
" me names and the firebrands that
sAne tumbling to the ground.
A'er rhe fire had been raging an