Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1871-04-27
Burning Of tl.e Western Fermale
College.

SChhSC
We publish some additional particulars
of the burning of this College, which oc-
cured ON the morning of the 9TH. The
article is taken from tie Cincinnati Gazette
of the goth. We heartily congratulate
the young ladies from this place who were
pupils, on their safe escape from the burn
ing building and welcome them back to
their native town:
The account which We gave in Saturdays
issue of the destruction of the Western
Female Seminary at Oxford was in the
main correct. though many additional par
t~iculars might be added. in the shape of
haIr-breadths escape, exciting incidents,
losses, &c. s, .,ae 81.
Considerable mystery still hangs about
the origin of the fire, and possibly always
will. inasmuch as the only testimony con-
corning the case was likely consumed.
But from whatever source it may have
proceeded, it was a frightful reality that
came stalking into the bedrooms of the
sleeping girls-more fearful than a grim
spectre, because it was indeed real. The
city on fire in the night is always startling ;
but when with it comes the consciousness
of the near approach of appalling dread
of avenues of escape already cnt off, it is
indeed enough to blanch the cheek of the
stoutest man. It is no wonder then that
the girls FASTENED from the apartments
and sough the nearest means of egress.
The wonder is that all escaped with life.
w 4 -. IL A1st- a. Ill
that wrapped itself about all that sought
the halls did not become bewildered and
wander beyond the means of escape is
certainly a matter for thanksgiving.
Of course there was much CONSERVATION,
but with it there were acts of individual
daring, of moral heroism, of providence,
of GOODNESS, which would excite praise if
enacted on the battlefield. The hair
breadth escapes, the interesting incidents
that crowded themselves into a few short
minutes, might well fill a volume. Several
of the pupils took time to dip the sheets
of the bed in water, and wrapping the
dripping fabrics about their forms, essayed
into the smoked-flled halls to battle, if
needs be, with the flames.
Others wrapped wet towels about their
heads and necks, good evidence that they
wore their own hair. One of the teachers,
Miss Emily Jessup, had been disabled for
some time by rheumatism, and had been
compelled to occupy a chair suited to her
wants. 1t was not possible for her to es-
cape herself. Indeed, if left to her own
exertions. she must have persisted. But
there were those who came to the rescue.
Four girls rushed to her room, and, seiz-
ing the chair in which she had been placed,
carried her down stairs to a place of safety.
Three girls were threading their way
through the halls amid the sitting smoke.
One of the number said it was unendura-
BILE, and that she must go back-"go back ~
it must have been to be wrapped in a fiery
shroud. But her associates took hold
of her and compelled her to 60 with them
until, half choked, they came to open air.
One of the teachers. a Miss Smith, who
occupied a room in the second story, went
down the lightning rod. 1t proved to be
a safe conductor.
Among the guests of the institution was
Mrs. Hinkle, wife of Philip Hinkle, Esq,
of this city, one of the Trustees. With
her was the young son, four years old of
Henry Sage. Esq. The window of their
room was twelve feet from the ground
Mrs. Hinkle tied the boy in a sheet, and
then, with the other bed clothes, let him
down to the ground. With bed clothes
attached to the shutters she also descended,
but before getting down in some way fell.
and received a conclusion from the effects
of which she is yet suffering. But all es-
capped. 1t is true three or four of the young
ladies were hurt, but these are all doing
we'll, and, it is believed, will soon be quite
restored. 1t might have been so much
worse that there is abundant reason for
the profoundest gratitude to Him who
rules all things well.