BURNING OF THE WASHINTONG PATENT OFFICE.

Inangahua Times, Volume IV, Issue 3, 30 November 1877, Page 2

BURNING OF THE WASHINTONG PATENT OFFICE.

A telegram dated Washington, Sept. 21 says : — The patent fire originated from spontaneous combustion among a lot of non-patented chemical matter stored in the attic on the Ninth street front. No fire was made iv J;he conservatory to-day, nor had any been made iv the building. , The principal loss falls upon the patent office. The original copy of the Declaration, of Independence and relics of Cien.era.l

Washington were saved ; also the Frank. lin printing press. iS' early all tho speoi • IkitiioDH aud original drawings of the Patcut Office wore saved, and from these models can be reproduced if H6Cetesavy. Noqe of the Land Office records were destroyed, bul ina.ny were seriously damaged by water. The records of the implication Division, the osce which first receives applications foe patents, and of which papers no copies were mode, wero saved. The most valuable models of reapers, mowers, and various agricultural implements were destroyed. \ temporary room will be erected at o.iee. The most valuable models saved were those recline to sewing machines, firearms, printing presses, locks, safcs^ &<i. The damage to the gilding is estimated at fronv3QQ,Q Xfc dol. to 350,000J01, while that from the destruction of models and other valuables belonging to the Patent Office is. almost incalculable. The arch.es which formed. th.c ceiling of the seeon,d story, and upon which the floor of the third story rested, are so badly damaged by heat a,c\d water that many must be torn down. The marble of thcauler wall,* is considerably dis. colored and cracked, it is suppose.! Iho Hro wust have been smouldering beneath, the room, which w;is oot fireproof, for some hours before it was discovered. Two or three fires occurred in the neighbour. h00.3, caused by sparks. Loss small. The total number of models destroyed will not exceed GO.OJC*. i