The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1869-02-09
burning of spr,.s HIN College.
TIE BUILDING, MATERIAL AND FCRSIrURE TOTALLY
DEsTRoYED-THE Loss.


From the Mobile Regisier-Eyening Edilion-Feb. 81
1t is with the deepest regret that we chronicle
the entire destruction by fire, of this noble nsti-
lotion of learning. Last night at q quarter be.
fore ~ o'clock, the smell Of smoke, followed By
immediate sight Of fire bursting out in the center
Of the main building, aroused the officers of the
college. The alarm was at once given the pupils
were aroused. and every precaution was. taken to
Fevent panic among the inmates Of the build
ing. But the terrible element had already made
such headway, that it was only by presence of
mind and careful management that the whole
household were saved without hurt or accident in
the clothes they stood in and with nothing else
beside. The entire college building was utterly
destroyed.
The furniture. library. philosophical apparatus.
laboratory and the clothing, and personal effects
Of beth teachers and students were entirely con-
left.
How the FIRE originated we were unable to
learn. The officers of the college themselves have
no idea. but believe It was one of those unac-
oountable incidents that cannot be traced to its
cause. Whether from defective nue, from a
chance spark, or light accidentally left, none
know. rc !
fathers were grouped in the pathway north Of the
main building, talking over their losses with pa
tent philosophy and perfect resignation 10 them.
We were specially glad to be informed by Father
Corvette that he had been able to save the manus-
cript notes of the history OF the college, from its
foundation, and also few scientific notes of his
own. But Of all bis carefully collected scientific,
library, every valuable instrument aud his whole
museum ofvauable minerals of South America,
Central America and Mexico, not one vestige re-
maine.
These losses are irreparable, for Father Cor
nette spent ten years in their collection In the
countries named. and gave TO II zeal, kno Wedge
end care that made 1t beyond value. He would
have refused $40, 900 for the minerals alone An
other interestin object destroyed was a full and
carefully classified collection OF the flora of Spring
" n IN ApR rnrtuA IT,
contained some fifteen hundred distinct varieties.
Dot che loss that heard moot frouusurIv re-
gretted was that of q wonderfully carved cruciix.
10 white wood, which hung among the sacred
feics Of the museum. 1t was carved by an untu.
lored and recently converted Central American
indian. Seeing him use his knife with great skill.
father Corvette In one of his rambles in search OF
geographical trophies, asked II he could make n
,ruclnx. The Indian reflected q day, and then
coming to him, asked "Shall he be diving or
lead ~ On being answered "dying,D he weat to
YORK and produced face that for expressive ac-
ion and intensified. living agony has been rarely
'xcelled By the greatest chisels of Italy. This
'aued relic II was impossible TO saye.
All the buildings north Of the college, across
l. main pathway, comprising kitchens, out
lcuses, printing Office, etc. are uninjured Bat
he pecuniary loss in the main building cannot bo
ess Than 100000, and may reach $3.50 600. The
olege itself was 364 by Ga feet. four stories high
no wen putt, with all the convenences. 1t could
lot be rebuilt for less than 100000
A single grand piano. valued at $1,000, from the
'aIlor, 10 the sole remnant Of the whole furnltnre
Il the college. This alone Is estimated at as much
= ,ne Dunolng. III then we count the valuable
prafies; museum, laboratory and clothing con-
pmed, the total loss will mount far over our esti-
1ate Of $4,000
On this there is only insurance for s35 900. in
'ew YORK, Hartford and New Haven companiss. =
hat amount would not replace the scientific aopa.
atus alone. 'RP"-
The college was thirty.nine years old. having
cen put up py the bishop 10 tins DIOCESE in 1873.
nd put In operation In 1880, under his presidencv
en- years later II went int the hands OF the Fa-
lers Of mercy, under the charge OF Father Bach.
gsin 10 le4z, 1t went into the hands of President
ishop Porter, who retained charge until sem
.mpers 1861, when the present regime of the
esuit Fathers began. The conduct Of the coIle1e
a. ever been successful enough to make Il rank
lgn IN tne scale OF like institutions, and 10 draw
u pupils from all points of this country and
en- South America, Canada and Mexico. Itconid
eco n three hundred Students has often
uIning-vhich We cannot but regard az a mill.
iiami,y- throws some one hundred and fiftv
le moment. ~-NA~Oo lux