, 1862-12-19
FIRE AT THE REFORM
SCHOOL.
The New School House, Cabinet. IL
ssaa rgrnltasf osa aaa i15SG Stores

We regret to learn that the spacious and
comparatively new edidce connected with tue
Reform School and located in The sonth east
ern portion Of the grounds was entirely de-
stroycd by fire yesterday afternoon about one
o'clock, The fire broke out in the lower part
Ct the building, during the dinner hou.,
from some unknown cause, aud although
flames made rapid progress and soon enye1-
opcd the whole building. The extreme dis
tance from the city Of course rendered aid from
the Fire Department impossible, and Supe,in-
tendent and inmates were neccssitated to stand
helplessly by and watch the condagration un-
til it had reduced the building to ashes, with
out even the satisfaction Of having removed
any articles Of yalue.
The Reform School WAS established III 1856,
We believe, at that time consisting only Of a
small wooden structure, located in the cx-
trcme northern portion Of the present
grounds. Subsequently another building was
added. Under the administration Of Rev. D.
B. Nichols hospital Was added, and small
workshop. Tie continued increase of in
mates rendered still more room imperative,
and in 1S5S-59 spacious two story structure
with basement was erected. It was this
building which was burned yesterday. The
upper portion was admirably arranged for a
dormitory. The lower story was occupied IS
a dwelling by the Superintendent, and con
tuined also the cabinet, library aud reception
rooms.s The basement was generously filled
with tho winter stores and clothing, all Of
which was destroyed. The cabinet was an
unusually excellent one, embracing valuable
geological, geological and ssother specimens:
It is entirely ruined. Many Of the specimens
were the results Of the researches Of Mr.,
Nichols, the rest being the voluntary contri:
buttons Of citizens. A portion Of the library;
We understand, was lately removed to another
building, so that the loss in this direction i
light. i
The Superintendent, Mr. Perkins, meet.
with heavy loss Only few days since, he
completely refuEnished his rooms, and had
just got his carpets down and furniture ar
ranged, when the fire overlook him aud com.
pletely destroyed every article. The whole
building in fact had been just reftted and
furnished for the winter, and Superintendent
and inmates were congratulating themselves
upon this desirable consnmmation, undone in
so short time.
The boys were at dinner when the fire broke
out, and although IN easy avenue was opened
for escape, to their credit, be it said, they ne;
elected its improvement, and lent thei1
efforts willingly, although Intellectually, to!
wards staying the confiagration. The younger
members Of the flock regarded it, grand
bonfire, gotten up specially for their enter:
tainment, and enjoyed the spectacle amaz-
ing1y.
The total loss by this unfortunate fire viii
reach in the vicinity Of S15, 600, upon which
there is only partial insurance. The build
ing originally cost $1,000, hut added to thii
must be counted the cabinet books, :valu-
able furniture, clothing and stores, the LATTER
the partial result Of the whole seasons hard
! work upon the little farm. Apart from tie