Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1911-04-05
\. CAPITAL BURNED.
FIRE SWEEPING THROUGH STATE
STRUCTURE AT ALBANY
CAUSES 100000 LOSS.
NIGHT WATCHMAN LOSES LIFE
Priceless Documents, Hundreds Of
Years Old, Are Destroyed BY
Fiames-Building Erected at
Cost Of Nearly $27, ooo,ooo

Albany, N. Y. - Swept by fire,
New York states magnificent $27,00O,-
900 capitol stands partially wrecked
by flames that started in the assembly
library, burned away the entire west
wing and did damage estimated at
$10,000,000 before the fire was de-
clared under control. after raging more
than four hours.
It is believed that the fire was
started by a fused electric push but
ton. It was discovered by a night
Waterman and the alarm was sounded
at 2:46 a. M. 1921.
But before the firemen reached the
massive structure priceless documents,
books and records stored in the assem-
bly, library had been destroyed and
other departments were being threat
ened. The imitation oak ceiling Of the
assembly chamber, composed of papier
mache, was partially destroyed, as was
also the famous 100000 staircase in
the west wing. On the third floor,
where the flames gained their start,
the departments wholly or partially de-
stroyed by fire or seriously damaged
by water were:
Priceless Library Destroyed.
The state library, containing 100000
volumes, among them the most valu-
able genealogical works in the United
States, together with relics. priceless
documents, some of them dating back
to 1776 and irreplaceable.
The assembly and senate libraries,
stored with thousands of volumes of
law and code books, also many docu-
ments and manuscripts that can never
be replaced.
The finance committee room. in
which were stored drafts of all the
appropriation and other bills Of the
present session.
The chamber Of the president pro
TEN of the senate.
The lieutenant-governor's room, bad
~ damaged but not wrecked.
The senate and assembly chambers.
both flushed with water that has
ruined their rich furnishing and the
PAPER mache ceiling Of the latter is
hanging in struggling shreds of half
dissolved paper. This ceiling, with its
handsome adornment, is said to have
cost a great sum and was one of the
show sights of the capitol.
On the fourth floor in the west wing
the wrecked Offices are: The court of
claims, in which many important legal
documents were on file; the bill draft
ing department; the bureau Of weights
and measures; the state regents
rooms; the state prison commission;
the state educational department, con-
tanning many valuable books of scien-.
ttic and historical interest.
On the second floor the damaged
rooms are: The attorney generals Of
fee; the state excise department. prob
ably swept by flames.
On the first floor the damaged de-
partments include the offices of the
state treasurer and state tax commits
sioner; the state board of charities
and the state commission of lunacy:
the lower office of the state education
al department.
Practically all the Offices below the
third floor, including the executive
chamber, were damaged by smoke and
water.
The departments which escaped the
ravage Of fire and the deluge of water
include the court Of appeals; secretary
Of states Office; department Of public
works; the state superintendent of
prisons Office; the state civil service
commission; the forest, fish and game
department.
The restaurant, telegraph offices and
press bureaus along the midway on
the third floor also escaped damage.
Night Waterman Missing.
While the fire was at it's height four
men were reported missing. One of
them. Samuel Abbott, Of Syracuse, is
still missing, and is believed to have
been burned to death. His body proba.
bly, is buried beneath the mass Of
debris.
Governor Dix was aroused shortly at.
ter a. m. and remained in close touch
with the firemen by telephone until the
fire was declared to be under control.
Practically all the state officials and
many Of the city officers were also on
the ground.
Fire Discovered In Library.
The caucus last night did not ad.
journ until nearly 1 a. m. and a few
stragglers remained in the building
when the fire broke out.
An attache Of the assembly library.
returning for some overlooked papers
discovered tiny blaze near his desk
There had been a complaint filed dur
ing the day that an electric switch
DAILY MARKET REPORTS.