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[[Preprinted]] TUESDAY, JANUARY 24,1865. [[/Preprinted]]

 This day is an epoch in the history of the Inst. [[superscript]] n [[/superscript]]. at about half past two or between that and 3 o'clock a fire broke out in the [[cockloft?]] of the main building which destroyed the contents of the towers and of the rooms in the upper story of the main building. I was at the time engaged in the preparation of the annual report when I heard an unusual [[strikethrough]] fire [[/strikethrough]] ^noise above my head in the space between the cealing of the office and the roof this noise became more distinct in the form of a crackling. I rushed out into the narrow passage opened the upper door looking into the lecture room saw no signs of fire called for De Beust.  Then ran down to the alarm telegram box could not get the key. Then directed attention to the saving of the Library went into my own house. gave orders for the apparatus to be removed several persons commenced the operation but the cealing soon fell in.
  Daughters behaved admirably Mary undertook [[strikethrough]] ? [[/strikethrough]] to save my library Helen other articles Caroline assisting M Henry was also very welcome. We owe much to kind friends - a full account of the origin of the fire has be prepared by myself for the Com. of the Regents. 

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[[Preprinted]] WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1865. [[/Preprinted]]

  Caught cold on the afternoon of the fire. did not go to bed - Mrs H. and myself were up all night. had severe cramps - was confined to my bed the fore part of the day. In the evening called upon ^Mr Stanton Judge Chase - Mr Fesenden to ask the [[strikethrough]] latter [[/strikethrough]] Mr S to assist in supplying a temporary roof.  He would not do this without the consent of the President and he could not direct the work to be done unless it was paid for. The object of the call on Mr Fesenden and Judge Chase was to confer with them on this point.
  Much sympathy was expressed on account of the acident all the papers spoke with kindness in regard to the accident except The Tribune.
  The firemen on the night of the accident behaved badly - they broke open a room the the N E tower in which the effects of Mr. Stimpson were stowned plundered his chests drawers and made free use of a quantity of whiskey which had been kept for preserving specimens. They were however repaid for the use of this by the effect of the sulphate of copper which had been desolved in it several of them became deadly sick and would have died had they not vomited freely.