The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1911-03-31

SlNe structure, priceless uOCumenIs,
books and records stored in the as
sembly 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 million dollar
staircase in the west wing.
Great Library Burns.
On the third floor where the flames
gained their start, the departments
wholly OF partially destroyed by fire
or seriously damaged by water were:
The state library, containing 100000
volumes, among them the most val
liable genealogical works in the Unit
ed States, with relics and priceless
documents, some of them dating back
to 1916 and irreplaCeable.
The assembly and senate Libraries,
stored with thousands of volumes of
law and code books, also number of
documents and manuscripts that can
never be replaced.
The finance committee room, in
which were stored drafts OF all appro-
session.
The chamber OF the president pro-
ten OF the senate.
The lieutenant governors room, bad.
ly damaged but not wrecked
The senate and assembly chambers,
both flushed with water that has ruin.
ed their rich furnishings and the cell
In nP 10 ha uin In tVn oil N
shreds of half dissolved paper. This
ceiling with its handsome adornment
is said to have cost great sum and
was one OF the showsights OF the cap
itol.
Fourth Floor Damage.
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 draughting department.
The bureau OF weights and meas.
ures.
! The state regents rooms.
| The state prison commission.
The state educational department,
containing many valuable books of
scientific and historical interest.
| First and Second Floor Havoc.
On the second floor the damaged
rooms are:
The attorney generals office.
The state excise department, swept
by flames.
On the first floor the damaged de-
partments include
The Offices of the state treasurer
and state tax commissioner.
The state board of charities and the
commission of lunacy.
The lower Office of the state educa
tional department.
| Practically all the Offices below the
third floor, including the executive
chamber, were damaged by smoke and
water.
These Departments Escape.
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 depart
, ment.
, The restaurant, telegraph offices ant
, press bureaus along the Midway" OF
the third floor also escaped damage.
One Man Believed Dead.
: While the fire was at its height, fou
men were reported missing. One o
them, Samuel Abbott, is still missing
: and is believed to have been burned
to death.
} After the fire was under control
Fred Weyler, rs years old, n watch
5 man in the state library, was reporte,
] to be missing. Thomas Bean, the car
= itol attache, and a man employed il
. the document room was missing.
Gov. Dix Not On Ground.
:, Governor Dix was aroused shortl
:. after o'clock and remained in clos
4 touch with the firemen by telephon
g until the fire was declared to be unde
j. control. Practically all the state o.
e ficials and many Of the city officer
z We're also on the ground.
= State Architect Ware said he coul
give no idea Of the total loss until a
{ ter the flames were extinguished.
o The firemen had many narrow e!
r capes. Several parties of them wer
u trapped by flames in the corridors an
v rooms, but got safely out. Chic
e Bridgeford and a squad came near b,
ing hit when a large section OF tn
n western cornice crashed down with
II part Of the roof and upper wall.
e Several tiremen were overcome b
smoke and many were made so
o they had 10 seek fresh air.
+" Flames Break Out Afresh.
n Half an hour after the fire was col
IS sidered under control the flames broB
out afreSh in the ceiling of the assen
n. bly, chamber. The fiTemen had grei
st difficulty in controlling them.
n Though the fire had been pronoun
is ed under control, the inside Of IL
f. capitol on the upper floors of the We
wing was still a mass of flame.
ID What Effect On Senatorship2
Is There was much speculation as
the effect the fire would have on IL
al senatorial situation. The asSemb