The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-30

and papers was ablaze. It was some- time before the firemen arrived and before they could get streams playing. the flames were raging toward the state library.
 The grand western staircase, which was regarded as one of the most beau tiful In the world, occupied the center of the western wing, and consisted of an immense double stairway of sand stone elaborately carved. It was sur mounted by glazed dome, which soon fell. It may have to be rebuilt.
 State Commissioner of Education Andrew s. Draper said the state library contained 600,000 volumes, 100000 pamphlets and 100000 historical man uscripts. Two years ago Commissioner Draper transferred from the state li- brary proper to the cafe in his office on the first floor the original emanci- patton proclamation, the original of Washington's farewell address, the original manuscript of the state con- priceless manuscripts as well as all the Washington relics. These have been removed from the building to a place of safety since the fire started.
 Commissioner Draper said that since most of the manuscripts lost were original documents and could not be re- placed. The early Dutch records were lost.
 Of the books on the state libray shelves, which can be duplicated in the open market today, such duplica- ton would cost, according to Com missioner Draper, $1,500,000, out he says the value of other books and manuscripts, because of their varieties is priceless. Commissioner Draper es- timated the loss of documents and equipment of the state library, which could be replaced in the neighborhood of $2,000,000.
 Starting afresh in the northwest angle the flames got away from the firemen shortly before 10 o'clock Several fire men had been knocked unconscious by falling debris and their companions were warned to use caution in penetrating be- meath the shattered arches while a huge chimney, considered safe, also kept them at bay and this permitted the flames to gain renewed headway.
 Governor Dix was on hand before 10 o'clock and took personal direction of the salvage in the offices still untouched
 The firemen brought every possible line of hose to bear on the west wing shortly after 10 o'clock and before an hour had passed the flames had been so thoroughly quenched that it was pos sible to get within striking distance of the smouldering heaps in the northwest and southeast angles.
 (IOVernOr DlX summoned state arch1- tect Ware Police Chief Hyatt and Fire Chief Bridgeford into conference as to the safety of the capitol. The governor feared it had been so badly damaged that all parts were unsafe. The con- ferees refused an opinion on the matter before they had discussed 1t. Weyler, Bean and the document room attache, who were reported missing, were ac- counted for before noon but 1t could not be definitely ascertained as to whether Samuel Abbott had been located.
 The capitol, a gigantic structure of white granite with red capped towers, stands perched upon the highest of the several hills upon which the city of Albany is built. It is 300 feet north and south by 400 feet east and west and covers three acres.
 The first stone in the foundation was laid July [, 1869. It was first occupied by the legislature on January T. 1879. Writers upon architecture say that the white building with it's towers reminds them of the famous Maj Mahal in India. Others call 1t a superb reflection of French architecture.