Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-03-31
Capitol Books and Records
Saved by Reminding,
legislature Asked 10 Appropriate
100000 Toward Restoration.
eaTching for Body Of 5. J. Ab-
t--Cupo|a Walls Unsafe.

Albany. y. Y, March 30.-MOre than
IA 100 men attacked the smoking ruins
left by the tire in the west end Of tho
state Capitol with shovels and crowbar>
today and soon discovered that the
wreck of the states magnificent library
WAS not as complete as iirst supposed.
Buried under the tons of stone shiVcred
from the surrounding walls by the in
tense heat. lay thousands of books
(which can be preserved by re-bindne
and many that escaped unao athed. The
salvage in books, pamphlets and manu-
script records may amount 90 thousands
of dollars.
The records of the war Of 1872 were
found intact and the custodians hop,
that as the work progresses OTHER val
liable relics at first believed to be lost
MAJ ne found if not unbarned, at least
in a state worthy of preservation. Just
what books and records persisted and
what were saved will not be known
for several days since the workmen have
an immense task before them in remoy-
ing the debris
The 100000 which the Legislature
| "'i3 fHNEd ~ app oPi ihtt ny IL bill III
treduced today is not expected to ni,-
ance the work of reconstruction. The
appropriation is asked To pay for clear
Ping away the ruins and restoring the
water-soaked and smoke-stained walls
and furnishings of rooms which es-
capped the flames
OCCASIONALLY the debris in the ruined
state llbrary breaks into flames as the
workmen admit the air 10 smouldering
masses of books and papers. but the
whole interior IS SO thoroughly soaked
with water that no danger is feared
from these outbreaks
Gey. Dix ISSUED special orders today,
directing the workmen to find the body
of Samuel J. Abbott. the aged night
Waterman, who is believed to have per-
ished in the state library. Mr.. Abbott's
son. Il civil engineer of West Newton,
Mass, spent much of the dny with the
gangs at work i'll the ruins of the lib
rary.
The unsettled United States senator
Ship situation leaves III doubt the qucs-
ition of temporary quarters for the
Legislature. If the Legislators elect
a senator tomorrow, they may take a re-
ZOO AoI Il "fSh VI iIpTt anu itdNt lHt
,natter of quarters open until they re-
turn.
Albany. n. Y, MARCH, 3o.-Thc work
[, Of rehabilitating the fire-swept Capt.
tol. begun Yesterday while the flames
were still cracking in the western
wing. was continued today with in
creased vigor. First efforts We're direct
ed to drying out the portions of the
great building untouched by the fire,
but thoroughly soaked by tie tons of
water poured upon the contagration.
Today the legislative leaders were ex-
pectcd to confer with Governor Dix
and State Architect Ware regarding
kthe appropriation necessary to repair
the building
The state architect has recommend
ed that the Legislature authorize i'm
mediately the preparation of plans for
rebuilding the ruined third and fourth
floors in the west end. This work will
include the replanning of the interior
to meet the demands of the offices
\ that will occupy the quarters from
which fire drove the education depart
ment. For this department building
is in course of construction.
unofficial estimates place the cost
reconstruction close to $4,000,O00. 1t
3 said mat an appropriation of this
We would practically wipe out the es-
minated surplus remaining in tie state
treasury at the end of the present tis-
eel year. The state cannot bond itself
! for this rebuilding and the money
must be taken directly from the treas
ury.
I At present the whole building. eX-
cent the offices on the east 'front.' is as
damp as an underground CELL A large
part of the papier mache ceiling in the
Assembly chamber will have "a be re-
, newed.
The first inspection after the smoke
cleared away convinced the state
architect that the remaining walls or
vthe southwestern cupola We're unsafe
md the occupants Of houses on the
u opposite side of State street have been
.'direoted to vacate until the walls are
pulled down or shored safely in place.
L4Present indications are that there VIII
)'be no investigation of the cause OF
the fire.
Other reforms besides improved cleo
trical wiring suggested in connection
with the rehabilitation of the building,
sare supply of chemical extingushers
lin all offices and corridors. and re-
N1nrval Of the inhammable records
(which have accumulated in other parts
tof the structure almost as heavily as
books and pamphlets We're piled on the
wooden shelves of the ruined state II.
brary. The men who discovered the
fire yesterday morning say that they
could have put it out easily If the!
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