Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-03-29
STATE CAPITOL BUI
New Y0rk's TTentt-seren-fiil.
lar Capitol Virtually Des.
Fire.


lar Capitol Virtually Des.
: Fire.
Albany, n. Y: March 29.-Nev
York states magnificent s27 900, 600
capitol building is today the prey OF
the fire fend and its beautiful interior
is a mass Ell ruins. A FIRE which started
early this morning in the assembly
library, and which is still raging, has
spread through almost the entire build
ing. destroying priceless records, books
and documents. The entire fire de-
partment is working to subdue the
flames, which at O'Clock we're under
control.
The flames, fed by inflammable
records and documents, spread rapidly
and the library was a seelhing furnace
when the fremen arrived in response
to an alarm at Gao o'clock. The or
nate hangings and rich carved nahog
any furnishings ofthe library, which is
also used as tie committee room OF
the assembly judiciary committee, fed
the flames ard the tiremen at once
realized that they were in for . hard
battle, il they we're TO save the massive
building.
The flames threatened the million
dollar staircase at the west end OF the
capitol, considered one of the finest
examples of mural art in the world.
The ST 600, 600 ceiling Of the western
staircase fell prey TO the flames which
then continued their sweep along the
corridor toward the Senate chamber.
When the fire reached the elevators
near the state library il began TO
sweep up The shafts.
At 1926 o'clock the flames leaped
across the elevator shaft toward the
state library.
The fire quickly Quilted the assembly
library, destroying all bills, documents
and papers, some OF them dating as
far back as 1776. These are irrepla-
cable. The library also contained all
the works, documents OF the codes and
the judiciary committee Of the present
session including the woman's suffrage
bills. These we're all destroyed.
At $50 the fire entered the docl-
ment room, and it was quickly known
10 be doomed. The flames ale up to
The roof and swept above it, lighting
the heavens and igniting other parts Of
the capitol.
Five minutes later, the ire leansd in
to The state library with i roar and its
intiamable contents were licked np like
oil III a fdrnanre.
With a roar that Gould be heard for
blocks. pant Of the ndrih roOt crashed
down al All o'clock. Tie Hames
Iaapei up With renewed 1igor and con
tinted their march toward the north
wing. The men rushed in with every
lice OF hose available and managed Il"
block thr flames from reaching the as
,aambly chamber, for time at least.
At 4%%l o'clock the tiamr4 burst
through the huge marble walls, thick as
a city 5 lulwatks, and swept into the
office Of Senator Robert Fl. Wagner.
majority leader Of the Senate. AT this
point only two rooms we've between
the fire aud the Senate CHAMBER The
senators we're notified to make a rush
and take from their desi:s ali tlir docii-
inenls they wished 10 preserve.
CAPTAIN Storey and lis Gien were
tghlinG the flames III the 2andfe idAi.
ciary committee room hen The tire,
eating Though supposedly fireprooi
doors trapped them for = lime in
corner, Int they managed to escape.
Fifteen fremcn Eho we're battling al
the state Library were temporarily over
come by smoke shortly after j O'Clock,
and they we're forced II abandon their
operations at this point.
II vas feared that Samuel Abbott,
the aged night Waterman 0t the state
library, which was utterly destroyed,
had fallen victim to The ire, is he
had not been seen Since its starting.
Ii the fire hid started an hour earlier
it would have found the democratic
members OF the Legislature caiicii7ed in
the Senate chamber discussing The
senatorial situation. The CAUCUS Al
journed at . o'clock to reconYene at
at 10 O'Clock this morning.
The fire is supposed 10 have been
started by defective wiring.
At 10 O'Clock The capitol fire was
still burning hrskly, hut Chief Bridge
ford said he would he able 80 keep it
from spreading.
Ii is said thai The loss will reach
S. 900 900
The disaster wilI not interfere with
the voting for United States senator, it
being planned 10 have sessions in the
city hall until the Senate and assembly
rhluhrrs rln hn made DraSpntlblr