Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1874-04-22
Destruction OF the Institute for the
Blind at GAINESVILLE.

EVANSVILLE, April 13.-An alarm
of fire was given at the Blind Institute
ut 7 o'clock this evening which was
responded to by the fire department,
the full force going to the Institution,
a distance of two miles, which, owing
to the muddy roads, occupied half or
three-quarters of an hour. By this
time the center portion of the main
building was nearly destroyed. The
6remen only worked the engines about
twenty minutes, when the water in the
cisterns gave out, and they we're com-
pellod to go to the river, half mile
distant, but owing to the high banks,
could not get to the water, and further
efforts on their parts to save the build
ing were useleas. The entire building
with all the additions, is now (10:30
P. NJ in ruins. How the FIRE caught
is a mystery. Some say in the engine
room. Prof Little says the first he
discovered of the fire it was running
up wooden dumb waiter, in the can-
ter of the main building A high wind
blowing at the time sent the flames
high into the air, aud burning cinders
were scattered over the entire city,
making a grand pyrotechnic display
seldom witnessed by any community
The building is total loss to the state
there being no insurance.
The institute succeeded the school
for the blind Originated by tie cti-
zens of this place in l849.) The grow
ing necessity of providing a suitable
building for the blind of the state,
where they could be properly educated
and the means taught them Of better
ing their cherries lives, caused the
operations ofthier school to be brought
into prominent notice, and the Legis-
ature, by act approved Feb 9, 1850
formally adopted the school, and Great
ed it state institution, placing it uu
der the charge Of five trustees appoint
ed by the governor. who serve for
three years. The state entirely sup
ports the institution The staff cou-
sists of superintendent teachers, and
other persons necessary for the eff
cient conduct Of the school, and the
various establish connected with it.
The institution was first opened for
the reception of pupils on the 7th of
October, 1850. 1t occupied rented
building until Jupesl, 1852, when 1t
was removed to new edi6ce, erected
at a cost of about $4,000 on the site it
occupied at tie of it's destruction on
last evening. The lot often acres had
been donated by the owners. The
new building was 50 arranged as to ad
NIT Of its becoming wing of a lar,e
one, which was begun in 1854, and So
far completed in 1857 as to be partial
ly occupied It was finished in 1859.
A small wooden building was fora long
time used for shop; but in 1S64-5
an excellent brick building, 4Ox6O feet,
was erected for shop and for otler
purposes. The foundation Of the wing
that was built proved to be extremely
defective, it was taken down in 1867,
and the pupils who had rooms in it
we're transferred to the shop build
ing. In 1868 work, was begun on an
extension, which should not only re-
place the demolished portion, but af-
ford room for the growth of the school.
This, was completed in 1869. 1t con-
stituted the west wing Of the structure
Of which the old house would have
been the central portion whenever
corresponding wing would be erected
on the east. As the school had ample
room, this wing was not required. The
building was of cut stone, and present
ed an appearance that comported we'll
with the dignity of the state. The
value of the Institutions buildings, in
Guiding fixtures for heating, lighting,
etc., was about $162 600. Its per-
sonal property, Including furniture, ap-
paratus, library, provisions. fuel, live
stock, etc., Was about $4,000. There
were seventy seven pupil in attendance.