The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1931-01-02

will cost from 100000 to $780,
900 to replace their plans.
Origin of the fire was not de-
termined.
Insured for S728,OOO
The monetary loss, Governor
Shafer said, is indicated by the in
surance on the building, S430,0OO.
and on the contents. $298, 900, or a
total of $728,OOO. But, he said, the
fire will cause the greatest confu-
sion in the states history and will
take years to untangle. He believ-
ed that the vaults III the building
were inadequate and that nearly
every paper contained in them will
be found destroyed.
The fire started in the top floor
of the four-story brick structure
and worked downward. Firemen
found their efforts futile and the
blaze burned itself out within three
hours.
Some Records Saved.
Three hours after discovery of
the flames, the four walls stood
as virtually hollow shell. The
fire was discovered by Joseph
Winhel, janitor and night watch
man, at 1885 a. m. He gave the
alarm, but before .firemen could
arrive, the blaze had already eaten
Through the roof and covered the
Eentire top floor.
State officials worked to save
records as the fire worked down.
ward. They were able to remove
large number from lower floors
but could not reach those above.
Firemen, sending streams thru
the windows, were powerless to
check the flames spread. Limited
hose supply and weakened water
pressure hindered their efforts and
a moderate breeze acted as a
draught to the flames.
Legislature Homeless.
The state legislature, which con-
venes January 6, is left homeless,
but plans are under way to have
members meet on the regular date
in the new county World war me-
mortal and in the city auditorium.
State officials are prepared to sub
nit Immediately an emergency bill
for appropriations to construct a
new building.
For many years, governors have
recommended a new capitol build
ing, but it was not until 1929 that
the legislature enacted a law to
levy one-twentieth mill tax for
the succeeding six years, the pro-
ceeds-estimated at $650,000 to
go into the capitol fund in which
there is already 100000 derived
from land grants.
, Governor Shafer, who is prepar-
ing his inaugural message to the
legislature, had inserted, a few
days ago, a recommendation that q
new capitol be constructed.
Former Governors Walter E
Maddox and, Joseph Devine; T. H
5 Thoreson, former state tax com.
! missioner; Auditor Steen; S. A. Oh
ness, commissioner of insurance
James Morris, attorney general
COSSpu II. h1CCIISIl, COulIllSSlOuGl
of agriculture and labor; Secretary
of State Byrne; Frank Bryant, sec
rotary to Governor Shafer, anC
virtually every state employe whC
E was in the city, hurried to the
scene to aid the fire fighters anC
to try to save records.
S Olsness entered the burning edi
r flee and brought out numerous
: books, files and records and per
S sonal property. Governor Shafer
t who had been in st. Paul, arrived
e in the morning while the fire wa
e still burning.
The central part of the capito
l. was built in 1884, when north an,
e South Dakota were one unit, unde
i the title of Dakota Territory.
: One wing was added in 1894 an,
e another in 1904.
# Governor Shafer said that h
S will probably issue a call for al
) immediate meeting of the stat
e Legislature to arrange for quarter
s before the regular annual session
= set for January 9Th. The legisla
a tive halls were in the burned build
= ing.