The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1911-03-31
Capitol Building al Albany N. Y,
Quilted and Ruined
RECORDS LOST
The Flames Licked Up the State Lii
brary, the Court OF Claims, the As
sembIy Library and the Document
Rooms, the Excise Department and
Rooms of Finance Committee.

Albany, N. y, March 3O.-Five
million dollars probably could repair
the damage done by fire in the state
capitol yesterday, but money cannot
restore the historic records, which
were the pride of its state library.
After examining the exterior walls
with a transit, State Architect Ware
declared last night that the massive
pile Of granite was as plumb and
true as ever. The flames licked up
the state library, the court of claims,
the assembly library and document
rooms, most of the Offices of the
excise department and the quarters
of the senate finance committee, and
water and smoke took up the work
that the flames laid down and the
damage from this cause extends to
every part of the building.
Although the fire started in the
northwest corner of the building ii
caused the greatest havoc in the
southwest corner. Here the red-tiled
pointed cupola fell, carrying down
part of the carved granite work that
supported il and towering stone
chimney. Conservative estimates
place the damage 10 the exterior
stone work at s2,00O,00O
The interior masonry was damaged
to the extent of s1,500,O00 and the
same sum will represent the loss on
the contents Of the satte library.
No trace had been found last night
of Samuel ]. Abbott, the aged night
watchman in the library.
The FIRE was still burning last night
in the ruins beneath what was once
the beautiful cloud-painted ceiling
of the state library reading-room,
and the water kept pouring in from
seven lines of hose. Water stili drip
ped through the ceiling in nearly all
parts of the west wing and cascaded
down the stone stairs; but the fire
was subdued and the work of repair
had already begun. A hundred ma
tional gnardsmen stood guard in the
deserted corridors last night and 80
policemen patrolled tho streets out
side to protect the dismantled end
of the building.
Next to the financial loss the chief
effect OF the fire will be the inevitable
delay in the machinery OF the state
government. Although the senate
chamber stands practically untouch-
ed and a few thousand dollars can
lower house to its former beauty, a
week or longer may intervene before
Legislative business can proceed in its
accustomed channels. There was
talk last night OF recess. and only
the constitutional requirement of
taking daily ballot until United
States senator Is chosen keeps the
Legislators here. Such a recess was
expected If the senatorship tangle
could be un-avelled today.
Today both houses met in the city
hail across q short stretch OF park
from the capitol building. the senate
In the common council chamber and
the assembly In the county court
room. where the joint session also
was held and the same arrangement
will be followed tomorrow. The
burned out department forces found
temporary quarters where they could.
Discussing the fire loss. State
Architect Ware said last night:
Based upon the original cost OF
the capitol, the extent Of the damage
would be between S5.OO0,O0O and
s6.000.000 but in view OF more eco
nomical methods OF construction this
amount can be materially reduced"
Mr. Ware win recommend that
when the burned out portion Is re.
stored the interior be remodeled to
suit the other departments which will