Odd Wisconsin Archive
La Follette at the Fire
January 25th marks the 100th anniversary of Robert La Follette's election to the U.S. Senate. He'd already served in Congress and as governor when, on January 25, 1905, he was elected Republican senator for the term beginning March 4, 1905. Eleven months earlier, the state capitol had caught fire (during the night of February 26-27, 1904). Gov. La Follette was awakened with the news about 4:00 a.m. and rushed into the burning building, where for three hours he helped evacuate government records and other valuables. At 11:00 a.m. he was button-holed by a Wisconsin State Journal reporter who filed this story and interview. For more details, including pictures of the fire, see our online exhibit, "Up in Smoke."
:: Posted in Bizarre Events on January 25, 2005
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