The Saint Paul Globe from Saint Paul, Minnesota • Page 1

VOL. IV. INCEIIffITOBCH. The State Capitol Utterly Destroyed by Fire. SCENE OF GREAT EXCITEMENT Both Houses in Session at the Time of the Disaster.

PELL-MELL RUSH FOR OUTDOORS ''Such a Getting Down Stairs I Never Did One Member Taking to a Tree. FULL AND GRAPHIC HISTORY. An Erent Where Lops of Lite Was Al- most Miraculously Averted. "The Capitol is on flic" was the word that went through the city when the flre alarm rang out on the crisp air at o'clock last night. In a few minutes the heavens were illuminated as if in confirmation of the report.

Investigation leads to the belief that an incendiary had fired the dome, and as the roof was a fire trap and tinder box the whole building wa6 soon in flames. The Globe has repeatedly condemned the roof, and regrets to 6ee its predictions verified. The theory which leads to the belief of incendiarism, is the fact that no light, or flre, lamp or gas jet was in use in the dome. The building is heated by steam, so there nrc no "defective flues." No one could be legitimately in the dome at the hour the fire occurred. In the multitude of persons moving about, it would be a work of ea6e for an incendiary to reach the dome.

All collateral evidence indicates that the fire was deliberately malicious. The first thought will now be for temporary quarters, and the second thought will be to repair the disaster by a permanent flre proof building. Nothing less than a stringent law requiring an absolute flip pi oof building will satisfy the public. THE SCENE IN THE SENATE. At about last evening, while the Senate was in session, and working under the order of third reading of House bills, that body was startled from its comparative apathy by one of the little pages rushing into the Senate chamber and crying, "Fire! Fire! Everything above is on flre!" As he came through the the door tho cinders from the dome cf the capitol were falling at his heels, and dense volumes of black smoke poured into the room, and at the earn instant clouds of smoke were collecting in the gallery, and the flames illuminated that portion of the chamber through the windows cf the gallery.

Looking up over the chandelier it was oeen that the whole area over the east wing was in flames. Senators sprang to their feet, and some excitable individual, whether a Senator or not, the Globe reporter did not think it was necessary to inquire, shouted at the top of his voice, "Every man take care of Some confusion ensued, which was considerably allayed by Senator Crook 6 saying in 3 loud and aear voice, which could be heard above all the noise: "Mr. President, I move that the Senate do now adjourn." Lieut. Gov. "Such will be considered as tb.3 sense of Senate unless objections are made." It Is needless to say no one objected to the colonel's motion.

With consumate coolness the lieutenant governoi remained at his post, gavel in hand, yapping leisurely upon his desk and saying, "Gentlemen, there is no occasion for alarm; there Is 'ime for all to pass out; do not crowd," etc. There was a rush for the door, however, aud a few passed out through the door, but the flames had made 6uch progress as to make an exit by the usual avenue Impossible. In the meantime the smoke was accumulating and was coming in through the ventilators, malting the imprisoned persons feel decidedly nervous. The Globe reporter then pocketed his pencil and manuscript and went to the cloak room for his overcoat, and there he found a number of Senators passing out through a small window and dropping down therefrom to a point on the steps below the flames. He then.went to the further end of the Senate chamber, opened a window and swung himself over to the roof of the portico over the eastern entrance to the building and there, with some ten or ft dozen others, waited for the arrival of the flre department with its ladders.

The room was quickly emptied of members of the legislature, its officers and visitors. Fortunately there were but few of the latter. Secretary Jennison and Assistant Secretary Wedge remained at their posts, and, while the cinders were falling through the ventilator over the chandelier, packed up the records and conveyed them to a place of safety. Some of the Senators had presence of mind enough to take the contents of their desks with them, but the greater number didn't stop for anything. With but very few exceptions Senators behaved with a degree of self-possession and good sense highly creditable to them.

About the time the last member had left the chamber, the chandelier fell to the floor, and everything was wreathed in flames. Senator D. Buck was found wading around in the snow, trying to draw some consolation from the hope that the bill for the payment of the old Btate railroad bonds was burned up, but it is thought that General Jennison has taken care of that, together with the rest of the documents pertaining to his department. THE SCENE IN THE HOUSE. The House went into committee of the whole shortly after reassembling in the evening, Speaker Fletcher surrendering the gavel to W.

D. Rice, the Representative from the turbid Waton wan. All went smoothly fora time. The bill for the inspection of boilers elicited brief debate, when the bill creating the office of State minerologist came up. There was a protracted discussion, which ended in a division of the House.

The vote recommending its yeas 41, nays had just been announced, when the cry of "flre" was heard in the lobby. Instantly all was A SCENE OF INDESCRIBABLE CONFUSION. The occupants of the galleries rushed pellmell over each other and the chairs, and made for the narrow stairway communicating with the corridor. Here they found themselves driven back by the smoke. The members on the floor, without stopping for hats or over coats, rushed for the doors.

The moment they were swung upon their hinges a dense column of smoke, black as Egyptian darkness, rushed into the hall. The cry to shut the doors, arose from a hundred throats, and the throng was driven back upon each other. The chairman leaped over his desk, and with stentorian voice demanded that the people keep 0001. His actions were vociferous, however, and instead of quieting, he only increased the confusion. A wild rush was made for the windows, and prepared to leap for their lives, yelling at the top of thdr voices to the crowd fast gathtrlng for ladders, ropes, every thing that chance happened to suggest io their half-crazed thoughts.

De6ks and chairs were overturned in the Irantic raoe for a means of exit from the burning building, and for a few moments BEDLAM BEIGNED SUPREME. One member, Mr. Schmidt, of Washington county, leaped from a south window, landing, happily, in the deep snow, and sustaining no Injury save a few scratches of trifling moment. Others were about to follow his example, when a fireman procured entrance and shouted for all present to make for the door. "For the door!" "For the door!" arose from the entire assemblage.

The exits were thrown open, when it was found that the density of the smoke had subsided, while the corridors were Illumined by the lurid flames that were mounting up the interior of the dome overhead. Fearfully at for no one knew what danger was the imperilled men advanced to tho stairway. This reached their reassuring shouts encouraged those behind them, who followed quickly, but without that precipitancy that had characterized the flret alarm, and within a few moments the hall of the House had been deserted by all but Chief Clerk Howard, Assistont Daniels, Representative Roberts, and one or two others who were gathering up the records of the House and their personal effects. The scenes In the brief interval between thealarm and the opening of the doors baffles description. men were COMPLETELT UNNERVED.

On 6 who had at first mounted his desk and shouted for order and coolness, himself lost control, and wringing his hands shouted "We'll all be burned to death" over and over again. Others rushed hither and thither, apparently with no aim, but shouting at the top of their voices "We're shut in and will be smothered!" The occupants of the gallery let themselves down to the floor of the hall over the railing and mingled with the throng, heightening the din and confusion. Curses both loud and deep resounded through the hall, while orders were shouted hither and thither by every one. A few of the more collected of those present gathered their personal effects together, preparatory for their departure. There were about a dozen ladies present.

These, with blanched faces, clung to their masculine companions convulsively, but made no outcry, save inquiring anxiously whether there was a prospect of release. THE CLERKS OF THE TIOU9E showed great presence of mind. They btuck to their post 6 from the moment of the alarm, and gathered all the records of the House, down to the last scrap of paper that had auy connection with the proceedings of the body. Each loaded himself with the most valuable portions of the records preparatory for the rush but when the hall had been cleared and the necessity for unfleemly haste was over they proceeded more deliberately. Ladders that were thrown up to the windows by the flre department were used and all the records safely cared for.

Down these ladders the clerks followed, and the hall and what it contained wa6 left to its fate. The splendid portrait of Gen. Thomas, back of the speaker's desk, was saved uninjured, as were several other articles of ornament about the hall. There was great EXCUSE FOR THE FANIC that reigned supreme for a few minutes. When the smoke poured in at the.

doors, the first thought was that the fire had occurred in the lower part of the bnilding.and was rushing up the stairway and through the corridors cutting off all means of The windows were therefore regarded as the only means of escape from a dreadful death. When this 6upposititiou proved unfounded, comparative order was restored, and though the cinders falling from the burning dome accelerated their speed somewhat, all symptoms of a scare had disappeared before the outer air had beenTeached. Col. Crooks and others stood at the foot of the stairway counseling order, and directing the rushing crowd what course to pursue, and succeeded In allaying the prevalent alarm. THE OUTSIDE SCENE.

Seldom has a more picturesque scene been witnessed in the West thau that afforded by the destruction of the State capitol. A dense crowd of spectators thronged the streets on either side of the square and gazed awe-stricken at the fearful spectacle. The flames, which at first made but a lurid circle around the base of the dome, 6oon licked their way to tha summit and great tongues of flre darted up into the heavens, illuminating the whole city and the Gountryfor miles around. "Leaping higher, higher, higher, In a desperate endeavor, Now, now to sit or or never, By the side of the pale-faced moon." With astonighing rapidity the destroying element flew from hall to hall and room to room, bursting through the windows and madly seized upon everything it could devour. The highly combustible roof burned like tinder and disappeared as the melting snow.

It went up smoke and cinders, for the Material was light. This was a fortunate circumstance, for but 6mall fragments fell to the floors beneath, oud there was no great crash such as usually accompanies a great conflagration. The Senate chamber was a mass of fire almost before its occupants had reached the outside of the building. Within fifteen minutes the serpent-like tongues were seen darting into the hall of the House of Representa tives, paling to insignificance the gas lights from the mammoth chandeliers. Anon the State, library was enveloped by the fell destroyer, and the great tomes of storied lore were given over to appease its insatiable appetite.

The accumulation of law books for a quarter of a century, was wiped out in a brief half hour. The court room, where for many years grave judges have sat and learned lawyers contended, had other occupants now. Down through the floors the embers fell. First a puflf of smoke was seen through the windows, then a fork of flame, and finally an all consuming furnace filled office after office. The rooms in the east wing were first completely gutted.

The firemen directed their energies to the treasury, and a constant stream was poured into it and upon the outside of the vault. So effectual were their efforts that but little damage was done by fire. The cord by which a small picture hung over the door of the vault was not even burned, and the vault was scarcely heated. The progress of the fire on the main floor was exceedingly rapid. Now and again an explosion of gas would take place, sending clouds of cinders far above the grim and smoking walls, and causing exclamations of awe and regret from the thousands of people surrounding.

The heat was intense, but not of long duration, for that which was left to burn was of the flimsiest description. The hour of midnight had scarcely arrived before the fire, satisfied by its mad carouse, had began 'to subside, and by 2 o'clock this morning naught remained but the blackened walls, broken by windowless openings and fringed with charred fragments of the cornice swinging hither and thither in obedience to the wind, while within was a mass of smoking debris, lit up here and there by fitful gleams of flre, and smouldering ruins. The windows of all the buildings around the capitol square were thronged with interested spectators of the grand and imposing scene. Anxiety was depicted upon every countenance, and as it became evident that no part of the structure and but little of its contents could be saved general regret was expressed The only cheerful faces that were seen were Daily SAINT PAUL, WEDNESDAY MORNING, MARCH 2, those of the persons who had so narrowly escaped a terrible death. Story of an Eye Witness.

I was a visitor at the capitol last evening and in the Senate chamber, when the alarm of flre wa6 given by two boys, probably the pages of the Senate, rushing in and crying flre! flre! Everyone immediately jumped to their feet and two or three rushed to the door of the chamber, but were driven back by the flames, which appeared to have full possession of the stairs and hallway. A scene of confusion then ensued, which was somewhat quieted by the violent rapping of the gavel in the hands of President Gilman, and his request for order. This effort of the president to stay the panio was ably seconded by the stentorian voice of Col. Crooks, who said, "for God's sake, gentlemen, be still, there is plenty of time." The Senators and crowd generally thought otherwise and rushed for the windows, several of which were smashed In the efforts to open them. About this time someone made a motion to adjourn, which was declared carried.

Nearly everyone by this time had stationed himself at Borne vrindow, each probably, like the writer, expecting to have to make the Jump to the snow beneath, for the flames were at this time appearing in the gallery, and sparks were falling on the floor from the ventilator in the center of the ceiling. At this time a rush was made for the cloak room on the right hand side of tho entrance, some one having discovered a way of exit there through a small window, which those who are familiar with the locality will remember overlooks the landing midway of the main stairway. The writer was one of those who rushed hither, and for some minutes tho crowd prevented my getting to the window, each having to await his turn. Immediately in my front was the portly form of Senator C. D.

Gilflllan, who had some difficulty In squeezing through the small aperture. Men below the window, on the stairway landing, caught the they did the writer, and none too quickly, for the flames in a feif more minutes would have cut off this avenue of escape. Xotes of a Rambling Reporter. About 9:15 o'clock a Globe reporter left the sanctum of this paper in quest of an Item. The scribe reached the foot of the stairs on Wabashaw street, when his attention attracted by a bright and fitful reflection, as though caused by 6heet lightning, ou the walls of the department headquarters, Fourth and Wabashaw streets.

At this time the alarm of flre had not been turned in. The news instinct asserted itself, and from the building named the eye glanced to the old court house, the dome of which was aglow with light, as though flooded with molten silver. A knoi of men stood in the street, and someone said, "It is the Capitol; the building is on flre." The clatter of hurried feet set in and in le6S than ten minutes afterwards all St. Paul was wending its way in the direction of the doomed building. The approach to the building was peculiarly grand and magnificent.

Conspicuously brilliant from a gloomy background rose the dome or cupola of the capitol. At this juncture, about 9:25 o'clock, the dome was a column of living flames. Lapped to the breeze, high over all, waved the national colors, in seeming defiance of the fierce heat which raged beneath. Millions of sparks leaped into the air, like tremulous fireflies on a field of the cloth of gold. The spectacle was one of great grandeur and beauty.

The scene in and about the building, at this juncture, is indescribable. A thousand furies could not have made confusion worse confounded. The clang of the fire bells, rush of steamers, 6houts of men and shrieks of women, mingled with a host of other 6trange noises, all combined to make a perfect bedlam. Staid and sober statesmen forgot their accustomad dignity and rushed from the building in paroxysms of excitement. Anything approaching presence of mind or equilibrium of conduct seemed out of the question.

Ladders were speedily raised to the windows of the House and Senate chambers, and timid members were making hasty and very undignified exits. A few indeed, seized the off-horn of the dilemma, and risked the chances of breaking their recks by leaping from the second story windows. Luckily the violence of the fall was broken by a foot or two of snow. The square and grounds surrounding the capitol presented the appearance of a vanity fair let loose and run to seed. Men and women jostled each other and everyone seeemed to be in everybody else's way.

Meantime the crowd kept increasing, and the streets adjacent to the capitol were so densely packed with people as to be almost impassable. Trees, porticos, windows and the tops of houses were garnished with spectators who gazed awe-struck at the conflagration. About 9:40 o'clock the dome fell in with a crash; a few minutes afterwards and the center of the building was a fiend's furnace. With the rapidity of lightning the flames communicated to the main portions of the building, the Senate Chamber and House The progress of the flre could be clearly traced through the open windows. The flames crowded around the fire- trap cornices and garish trappings of the House aud Senate, which were licked up as though they had been so much chaff.

The flre boys worked earnestly enough but to little purpose. As well throw water from a pipestera as to attempt to quench the seething cauldron of flames. During this time the attaches of the various offices, assisted by an army of outsiders, were engaged in removing the portable effects from the building. Hundreds of men and boys rushed from the structure laden with books, files, documents nnd furniture of every description. Valuable tomes were carried out by armfulls and heaped promisclously in the street Wabashaw street, in front of the capitol, looked like a second-hand bookstore that had been paralyzed by a sirocco or a simoon.

Furniture and books were piled shoulder high in the square, and the collection from the rooms of the Historical society looked especially funny. At 9:40 o'clock the entire upper portion of the building in flames. The scene was rich in incidents of the grotesque and ludicrous. During the excitement a Globe reporter was approached by an attache of one of the Btate offices, when the following incident took place: "Want to know the cause of the fire?" "Yes." "You won't give me away if I tell you?" The reporter swore that he wouldn't. Attache, drawing nearer, exclaimed in a whisper, "State bonds," and vanished.

Notwithstanding the great confusion, the work of removing valuables from the offices on the first floor went bravely on, and a large proportion of the books, files, documents and furniture were removed to a place of safety. The files of the supreme court were saved, together with the furniture of the office. The furniture, files and documents were also rescued from the office of the superintendent of public instruction. valuables in the State auditor's office aud governor's rooms were also gotten out, the furniture of the latter being removed, including the carpets. The most serious, and, to some extent, the most irreparable loss, took place in the State library, a very small proportion of which was saved.

The catalogue issued February 15th last showed 12,501 volumes in the library, since when 79 volumes have been added, making a total of 12,580 books. Mr. Chappell, janitor of the library, thinks that nearly all the old and modern English and New York reports were gotten out. The library was insured for $10,000 in the Liverpool, London and Globe Insurance company, placed by Prince Shandrew, and. was valued at twice that amount.

Most of and paper 3of the State Grange society are reported as lost, together with $100 in money. Among the valuables rescued from the House of Representatives, was the elegant portrait of Gen. Thomas, which was taken irom the rear of the speaker's desk by Officer Newall, assisted by an unknown gentleman. The commissioner of insurance report! Jno great loss. The winter's compilation, of statistics were in the vaults and are thought to be all right.

The effects of the railroad commissioner's office were also securely placed in the vaults. Quite a number of loud reports were heard during the flre, occasioned by the explosion of gas and water pipes. About 11 o'clock a firebrand alighted on the roof of the German-Lutheran church, corner of Tenth and Wabashaw streets, and the incipient blaze was nipped, after some delay and difficulty, by the department. The Rev. Mr.

Gannett, pastor of Unity church, tendered the use of that edifice as a depository for the files, papers, furniture, the offer being accepted by Mr. Pusey, and the church was packed from the pulpit to the doors. Judge Palmer, Mr. Louis Fisher and others threw open the doors ofHhelr dwellings and received a large number of valuables. Saving the Property.

The crowd that had gathered around the capitol square in response to the alarm soon saw the necessity for earnest, hard work. The State officers marshalled a brigade of willing men, who faced the smoke and the dairies in a desperate endeavor to save as much of the valuable property of the State as possible. A score of strong men found their wiiy to the library and threw the ponderous law volumes out Into the snow, where they werft gathered by men and boys and conveyed to a place of safety. All of the offices on the main floor were soon denuded of thslr portable effectsbooks, papers, desks, chairs and evea carpets. These were conveyed to the streets, whence they were afterwards taken to secure quarters in Unity church, Judge Palmer's residence, and other houses in the near vicinity.

Some of tha perishable articles were badly damaged, but the greater part were preserved in good shape. The Loss to the Historical Society. The Minnesota Historical society had its rooms In the basement of the new wing. They had here a very valuable library of books, pictures, maps, historical relics, and antiquarian objects, which the society has been diligently collecting for nearly thirty years. Williams, its librarian, informed us at one o'clock this morning that there near as he could remember, in round numbers 10,000 bound volumes, 13,000 pamphlets and unbound volumes, 500 maps, some hundred or so pictures (such as portraits of old settlers and historic personages) and a fine museum of aboriginal implements and weapons.

Many of the books and documents were very rare ana valuable. The whole collection was valued recently at $50,000, and it would be difficult to, replace it for this amount. An insurrnce of $20,000 was placed last year on It, In compaiiies represented by H. L. Moss, John S.

Prince and the St. Paul F. M. company. As soon as the alarm was given the book cases were unlocked and a crowd of active citizens worked with energy to save the books and other property.

Mr. Williams thought at midnight that every bound baok was aaved, and carried into the Unitarian Vurch close by, many wet and Injured, though. The pamphlets did not fare so as great quantles fell by the way, and were trodden under foot In the snow. The society had a very capacious fire-proof in which was stored 900 volumes of Minnesota newspapers. This collection is irreplacabla, but it is believed that the vault has done its duty well, and that the precious volumes are safe.

The cabinet and pictures, together with a quantity of movable property, carried out. The book cases, costing somi $1,300, are a total loss. f. Mr. Williams, the librarlanhhad a.

private library in the inner room, Tjnich is a total loss. It was valued at $500, and insured for $400, with E. E. Hughson. Mr.

Williams also loses considerable other effects not Insured. This flre will, of course, give the society 6ome pause in its work, but all its friends are thankful it is no worse. Mr. Williams, on going out of the door, cheerfully remarked: "Just say that donations to our library and museum will be thankfully received." Paul Academy of Sciences. This unfortunate institution, which came to financial grief two years ago, had its museum stored a room in the basement of the capitol.

It is a total loss, without insurance. The museum was valued at $2,030 or $3,000 when the institution was running. The Ruins This Morning. A walk around the building, this morning, at 2 o'clock, showed a complete destruction of the interior of the building. Of all the wood, word of the Interior nothing was left but blackened, fallen timbers and burning frag, ments.

None of the timbers were in place. Those of the roofs, with the floors, were wholly burned away. The joists of the two floors not altogether burned away, which was In the east and north wings, had dropped down and hung or stood, black and broken skeletons. In the centre and west and south wings all inflammable material above the basements seemed to be wholly consumed. The outside walls, and so far as could be seen, the interior brick walls appeared to be all standing.

This, remembering what has been said of the cheapness and insecurity of the new parts of the building, is remarkable. But it was not a fire, said a fireman. Yet, not only was the governor's safe red in the southwest corner of the building, where the melted snow outside shows that the heat was but the gas and steam pipes throughout all the building appear to have been subjected to intense heat. Perhaps the walls were saved by the rapidity with which the dry fuel burned and dropped away from them. The governor's safe, fallen into the basement and turned on its side, appears to be cooling with its shape so perfect that it can probably be opened easy and its valuable contents, records and documents of the executive office, from the organization of the Territory, will probably be found unharmed.

supreme court clerk's safe also dropped into the basement, appears to be in goon "condition. The State treasurer's safe, containing $2,090,000 in lUnited States and Btate of Missouri bonds, beonging to the school, university and internal land improvement permanent funds, and also the accounts and records of the office, with about $5,000 in currency and specie, appears ro have escaped even outward harm. The vault of the insurance commissioner's office and the great vault of the State auditor's office, containing records covering all the financial operations of the State and papers which appertain to titles of real property all over the State, with also the great vault of the Historical society, holding some nine hundred volumes of newspapers, including the earliest publications in the Territory of Minnesota all are safe. In respect to these vaults certainly the capitol was better built than was generally supposed. The blank, bare walls, ragged as to tops and openings where were the windews, with smoke pouring lazily out, and here and there flashes of flame showing blackened timbers, wide blank spnees above and bebrls, black, smoking or these were all that was left of our State capitol a few hours after the first cry of flre! New Quarters.

It is a matter of serious importance where to locate the State officers for two or three years until a capitol building can be erected. There was talk last night about taking the Davidson block, corner of Fourth and Jackson, that being probaDly the only single building in the city which can accommodate them all. History of the Building. The original building was erected by the general government, being begun in 1851 and completed in 1853. The cost was $40,000.

Since then additions have been made, until the (Elnbe. )st has reached $108,000. It contained fifty apartments All Quartered in the Sew Market. Mayor Dawion, Immediately upon being informed the flre would at least unroof the capitol, placed himself in communication with Governor Pillsbury and notified him that the city would provide offices for the State officers and places of meeting for the legislature, and the governor as promptly accepted the offer and expressed his confidence that the arrangements to be made by the mayor would be ample and satisfactory. At first, falling to find mechanics to put the new market house in readiness, Sherman hall and Pfeifer's hall were engaged for the two branches of the legislature, but later, mechanics having been found ready to contract that the market house should be made ready, they were put to work, and the orders for the two halls were countermanded.

At this writing the steam heating apparatus is said to be in order and steam is about to be got up in the boilers on which two or three days work, in the ordinary course of boiler fitters' work, has been done In less than half a dozen hours. The basement rooms of the market house have been set opart for storage, except that the large Wabashaw street rooms are to be assigned to officers who may need more room than can be given them above. The first floor has been generally assigned to the State officers. So far ouly the clerk of the supreme court and the attorney general have located themselves. These gentlemen, hearing early that they were to go to the market house, engaged teams to convey the books, papers and fixtures saved from their offices and have them all safely stored in the large rooms on the Wabashaw street front, along with books and papers saved from the court Judges' rooms and some of the books from the State library.

The things saved from the east, north and west wings, whloh were mostly taken Into buildings in the neighborhood or taken to the residences of officers, will be collected to-day at the Market house and arranged in order hi the respective new offices as early as possible. Probably by noon to-day all the State officers will be ready to attend to urgent business aud by to-morrow noon they will have leisure to consider what additions to the market house the legislature ought to give them. The State officers and their clerks will be on the first floor of the market house in the stalls, rooms and divisions planned for market officers, butchers, grocers, all of which are new, clean and well-lighted. The Senate will be provided for in the dining hall and the House in the assembly hall on the second floor. The smaller rooms at the Wabashaw street end of the building will serve for Senate committee rooms, and those at the St.

Peter end will be used for House committee rooms. Chairs, tables and other immediately necessary furniture for the Btatc offices and for the two houses of the legislature will be put in at an early hour this morning, the intention being that as the city can provide legislative and executive business may be resumed at 10 o'clock this morning. Incidents. The stars and stripes wout down in a blaze if glory from the flagstaff, but a little too early in the engagemenz. Some idiot rushed to i.he Metropolitan hotel shortly after the flre broke out and reported that a large number of members had been burned to death.

This alarmed the families of those temporarily stopping there, and ladies rushed frantically to the scene of the confiag. ration, happily, to find the report utterly without foundation. While leaving the capitol Representtalve Amundson received a blow over his right eye from a ladder carried by the firemen. The injury is not a seripus one. The theories'w the origin of the flre are legion, but the predominating opinion is that it was the work of an incendiary.

A man carrying a huge globe ou his shoulders from the rooms of the Historical society made an excelleat representation of Atlas. Cinders were carried a distance of over half a mile from the capitol. Some of the Senators and Representatives thought their time had come and left their hats and overcoats behind them. They will find the weather to-day cooler than they expected. The capitol was never a very handsome building, but last night's ordeal did not improve Its appearance.

Alluding to the fact that there was no insurance on the capitol, a prominent insurance man remarked that that was a fire an Insurance agent could look at with perfect complacency. It Is related that one old veteran of the House, waiting at a window for help, clutched at a slight branch of a maple tree which a flash of flame exhibited to him and shouted, as he grasped it, to those below, to push the tree toward him. The tree is six inches in diameter and wouldn't bend under the pull of a locomotive. Speaker Fletcher was on the floor when the alarm was made. With the remark, "Let's save these boys," he grabbed two of the pages, each by the seat of his little pants, hoisted them in no time into the cloak room, saw that they took their hats and coats while he secured his and, then, with a firm hand guiding each by the arm, ran them out safely under the flames and coals shooting and dropping from the burning ceilings ana dome.

Lieut. Gov. Gilman, Secretary Jenneson and Senator Crooks were conspicuous for coolness during the height of the panic in the Senate chamber. Each contributed to an orderly closing of the session and to the calming of frightened men so that they could use the abundant opportunities for their escape. The insurance commissioner is only afraid that the winter's work of his office compilations of company returns was not in the vault last evening.

If It is in the vault his office loses very little. The stalls at the market house are numbered by letters. Official documents will hereafter he headed "Stall "Stall etc. At 3 o'clock this morning the steamers were still playing on a pile of smouldering rubbish, the residue of what is left of the pretentious building of yesterday. The files in the adjutant general's office were removed intact, and stored in the new Market house.

Shrewdness and Ability. Hop Bitters so freely, advertised in all the papers, secular and religious, are having a large sale, and are supplanting all other medicines. There is no denying the virtues of the Hop plant, and the proprietors of these Bitters have shown great shrewdness and ability in compounding a Bitters, whose virtues are so palpable to every one's and Chronicle FLOCKING MILL ACCIDENT. Telegram to the Red Wing, March 1. Owing to the breaking of the main gear wheel in the La Grange mills to-day, they will shut down for about two weeks.

Theresas fortunately no one hurt, but the damages caused by the accident are quite extensive. The Red Wing mills are still shut down, but expect to commence grinding in the course of a few days. A Cross Baby. Nothing is so conducive to a man's remaining a bachelor as stopping for one night at the house of a married friend and being kept awake for five or six hours by the orying of a cross baby. AH cross and crying babies need only Hop Bitters to make them well and smiling.

Young man, remember this. Traveler. The boiler makers of Chicago hare struck for an advance of wages, The employers refuse to grant their demands and there is every prospect of a prolonged strike. A. M.

Dudley, aged 50, of the firm of Dudley Newark, N. killed himself in his house yesterday. mm CQMGRESS. INTERESTING PROCEEDINGS IN BOTH HOUSES. The House Laboring: With the Funding Untuocessf nl Effort to Reaoh a Vote in the River and Harbor Bill Agreed Upon by the Two Houses, Thus Scouring its Extra Session of the Senate Called for March 4th-Geu.

Garfleld in Consultation With Miscellaneous Capital News. The Senate. Washinoton, March Eaton, from the committee on foreign relations, reported back the sundry bills and resolutions recommending the construction of ship canals or railways across the Isthmus. He said the committee asked to be discharged from the consideration of all these subjects, thinking the time had not arrived when Congress should pass an opinion In regard to any particular route. This request of the committee was complied with.

The House bills commemorative of the ties of Saratoga and Groton Heights, and others of no special interest were passed. The conference report on the river and harbor bill was agreed to. The Japanese indemnity bill was discussed at some length, but no action taken. An evening session was ordered for Home bills on the calendar, the Japanese bill to come up as unfinished business. Evening Session.

Washington, March At the evening session of the Senate a bare quorum was present. The conference report on the fortifications appropriations bill were concurred n. A number of House bills unobjected to assed, among them the one to open a portion Fort Rldgley military reservation, Minnesota, to homestead and timber cultivation entry. House of Representatives. Washington, March House adopted the conference report on the river and bor bill, fixing the appropriation at $11,141,: 800.

Mr. McMahon reported the defflciency bill, the last of the general appropriation bills. Ordered printed and recommitted. The Senate amendments were concurred in to the agricultural appropriation bill. The amendments increase the amount in the bill The regular order was then demanded by Mr.

Warner, who said he desired to go to the speaker's table to take up the funding bill. Dilatory aad antagonistic motions and discussions followed, which were finally Interrupted by Mr. Reagan with the conference report on the river and harbor bill. The statement accompanying the report says as the bill passed the house it appropriated The Senate increased this amount $962,000 by means of 189 amendments. In conference the Senate receeded from seven amendments aggregating $08,000, leaving the amount appropriated by the bill $11,141,800.

Mr. Cox raised the point of order that the statement wasn't sufficiently in detail to fulfill the requirements of the rules. Finally the report was agreed to, yeas 162, nays 84, and the struggle over the funding bill was resumed and the point of consideration was again raised, as between that and the apportionment bill. A vote reached the House decided, yeas 98, nays 145, not to consider the apportionment bill. Finally the funding bill was taken up and after more squbbllng on points of order, a recess was moved by Mr.Tucker and carried, who announced he would press the bill to consideration and final passaee at the evening session.

Evening Session. Washinoton, March At the evening session of the House consideration of the funding bill was resumed, the session continuing until 12:45, when a recess wa3 taken until 10 a. m. to-morrow, with the bill still pending. Public Debt.

Washington, March following is the public debt statement Six per cent, bonds $202,266,500 Five per cent b0nd5. 489,820,660 Four and a half per cent. bonds 260,000,000 Four per cent, bonds 738,866.000 Refunding certificates 782,750 Nary pension fund 14,000,080 Total lutereet-bearrag debt $1,674,9 35,000 Matured debt 6,588,725 Legal tenders 316.741.7U Certificates of deposit 7.985,000 Fractional currency 7,144,413 Gold and silver 54,425,710 I Total without Interest 416,276,896 Total debt $2,097,810,580 Total Interest 15,853,939 Gash In treasury $233,203,176 Debt less cash in treasury $1,879,956,413 Decrease daring 11,843,155 Decrease sinoe June 30, '80 62,215,882 Current liabilities Interest due and unpaid 2,795,697 Debt on wiiloh interest has ceased 6,688,7 J6 Interest 760,292 Gold and silver certificates 84,425,740 United States notes held for the rev demption of certificates of deposit 7,955,000 Cash balance available March 1, 160,662,822 Total 233,208,176 Available assets Cash in treasury 233,208,176 Bonds Issued to Pacific railroad companies, Interest payable in lawful Principal outstanding 64,623,512 Interest accrued and not yet paid 646,625 Interest paid by United States 49,628,666 Interest repaid by the companies by transportation service 14,797,007 By cash payments, 5 per cent, of net earnings 655,198 Balance of Interest paid by the Unit 3d States 34,798,660 The President-Elect in Washington. Washington, March A special train carrying President-elect Garfield and family, arrived at 9 o'clock. Gen.

Garfleld was informally received in a few pleasant remarks by Col. Robert G. Ingersoll of the committee on inaugural ceremonies. Carriages were in waiting and with his family, with the exception of his aged mother, who was driven direct to the executive mansion, was escorted to the hotel. It was Garfleld's- wish that no formal demonstration should take place.

Upon reaching the hotel W. D. Daridge, a member of the committee appointed to receive the President elect, delivered a short address of welcome in i behalf of the committee. Gen. Garfield responded briefly, thanking the committee for the complete arrangements made for the comfort of himself and family, and expressing himself as being fatigued from his journey, which he hoped would excuse further remarks.

President Hayes will call on the Presidentelect to-day. To-morrow evening Gen. Garfield will dine with Representative 'CMttenden, and after dinner hold a reception, for which cards have been issued. On Friday morning the President and Mrs. Hayes will turn over the executive mansion to the President-elect and Mrs.

Garfleld, and on Saturday the retiring President and Mrs. Hayes and family will leave by a special car for Cleveland, where they will remain a few thence to Columbus, and from thence to Fremont. General Capital THE FUNDING BILL. Washington, March lt is generally understood now, that the Republicans will per- NO. 61 Mit the funding bill to pass.

Secretary Slier, man's position in favor of the bill exercised a Influence in the withdrawing of public r- Opposition REVENUE RECEIPTS. Internal revenue receipts for February customs national bank notes received for redemption 1218,000. public debt statement shows a decrease in the debt for the month of February of cash in treasury gold certificates silver certificates certificates of deposit outstanding rtfunding certificates legal outstanding fractional currency outstanding $15,520,848, less amount estimated as lost or destroyed, 18,375,984. MISCELLANEOUS. Bpeaker Randall said this afternoon positively that that the funding bill will pass and become a law.

Senator Bnrnslde to-day expressed himself as opposed to postponing the day of convening the Senate in extra session, and said it ought to be called on March 4th, as usual Friends of Stanley Matthews assert that he will be renomlnated for United States supreme judge by Garfield at the request of President Hayes. OVER THE OCEAN. Passage of the Army Bill in the British of the Battle With the Boers, in Which Gen. Colley Lost Life -British Loss In Officers and Men. GREAT BRITAIN.

MITOBELL HENRT'B DETECTION. London, March Mitchell Henry, a home ruler, writing to the gentleman who accused him of deserting the land league, says: "I never belonged to a league so stupid and irrational. The policy cf the past few months has crippled the Irish vote in parliament forever. The money extracted from the poor people in America and at home is removed to a foreign soil and no accounts are published. The leader flies at the very crisis of a fight lv parliament." OPPOSITION TO THE LAND BILL.

London, March The leaders of the conservatives in the house of commons have decided to make a desperate attempt to defeat the Irish land bill by a coalition of home rulers and disaffected radicals. THREATENING EPISTLES. London, March ln commons Harcourt, home secretary, said he had received a threatening telegram signed "John Devoy, 11 but didn't intend to make representations in regard to the circumstance to the American government, as such representations might give rise to an International controversy. Devoy, from a British convict, became an Ameri. can citizen.

As long as he and his confedeerales, leaders of the land league, were con tent to remain beyond the sea and on the other side of the Atlantic, will not interfere with them. If they come over we might have to pay them some attention. URGENT. The arms bill, after discussion, was voted urgent, 375 to 87, and after a brief discussion the bill passed. TEBBORS OF EVICTION.

NewToek, Feb. From Dublin telegram: The emergency committee are taking steps to meet the wishes of a large number of home landlords, who are about to evict defaulting tenants and who desire the committee should supply them with Protestant tenants from Ulster and elsewhere. Lists will be opened for names of those willing to accept farms from which tenants have been evicted, and doubtless there will be no lack of applicants, as exaggerated descriptions of the power which will be placed in the hands of the authorities by the coercion bill have already emboldened all who opposed the tactics of the land league. Numerous evictions, many of the most distressing character, are taking place over Ireland. The eviction of Rev.

Patrick Hurley, parish priest at Eilkoman, Kings county, "has created no little consternation. The Rev. Father's predecessors took a house and farm of forty-two acres from a middleman landlord, aud retaining house and garden sublet the land to three tenants at a rent of £67 and a valuation of When the reverend gentleman was appointed by the parish he had to take up the land and work it at a loss. He had also made himself responsible for the rent of the sub tenants, who fell Into arrears. The priest then handed the land over to an energetic young farmer of the neighborhood.

The middleman landlord refasedto recognize this tenant -end took proceedings against Rev. Mr. Hurley and subtenants on smaller portions of the farm. The county chairman refused to grant the decree, but the case was taken to the queen's bench. The result was that Tuesday the Bth the parish priest was evicted and his furniture put the 6treet and his sub-tenants similarly treated.

In recent evictions at Newton and Hamilton, County Armagh, on the property of Rev. Mr. McGooch, the women stoned the bailiffs and Invoked curses on the landlord, while aged and sick people were carried out and laid on the roldside. If the evictions continue the above cases are typical of what may be expected when the great eviction wave sweeps over the country. The league has issued circulars to branch leagues throughout Irelan asking details of all evictions since January GRAPHIC DESCRIPTION OP THE BATTLE.

London, March A correspondent with Gen. Colley's force gives the following aoconnt of the engagement: Spltzkopf Is about 8,000 yards from the Boers' position. Two companies were left at Baail. The remainder of the troops toiled up the hill, which is very steep and difficult of ascent, on hands and knees. It was impossible to have carried up even mountain guns.

Had we those the result might have been different. The whole foroe reached the summit before daylight, and about 5 o'clock began firing. The Boers had no vtdettes posted and were completely surprised, but promptly returned the fire. Our men had but little cover, but somewhat better than that Ingogo river. I estimate the number of Boers at the base of the hill at about 2,000.

Up to midday their loss was certainly heavier than ours. Gen. Colley was conspicuous for coolness and courage, He kept up constant communications with the camp by signals. Shortly, after noon the Boers' flrr, which heretofore had ayer 1 aged about fifty shots a minute, increased to a terrific volley, our mea were unnble to withstand it. They wavered, were rallied again arid in a general sauve que pent.

The Boers climbed the summit of the hill and followed them with a terrible fire As they went down on the ofber side this correspondent was captnred by the Boera, who treated him well and gave Mm a pass to return to camp. He identified Gen. Colley on the field. A BOCT. London, March Roberts will have, by the time he arrives at Natal, a force of 8,000 men.

Detailed accounts received to-day render It certain that the British were driven from Spetzkopf because they were fairly beaten. The fight ended in a rout. The most desperate estimate places the loss at 800 killed and wounded. Avoid a Costttb Habit of Bodt, not only because of the attending discomfort, but lest it engender more serious consequences. Dr.

Jayne's Sanative Pills are either Laxative or Cathartic, according to the dose, and may be depended upon to produce healthy secretions of the Liver and Stomach. The stockholders of the St. Louis San Francisco, at a special meeting in St. Louis yesterday, voted to issue consolidated mortgage 6 per cent, bonds to the amount of 000,000, covering all the lines of road now owned by the company..