Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-02-03
REFORM SCHOOL FIRE.
The Work House Goes up in Flames Yes
terday-The Origin Uncertain-Total Loss
$lO,6OO-Insurance. $4,000.

The Unsuitable Are-fend paid the vicinity Of st.
Paul destructive visit yesterday and in less time
than 1t takes to give consecutive narrative on
the facts the work house of the Minnesota State re-
form school was reduced to mass OF charred and
At go O'Clock intelligence was received
at the Office Of the fire department that fierce fire
had broken out in the drying room of the aforesaid
department. and that the flames bid fair to result in
disastrous condagration. Realizing the exigencies
OF the situation, Chief Strong ordered steamer and
to proceed as quickly possible to the scene Of the
condagratioD, the chief himself proceeding in adj
vance Of the apparatus.
Ever mindful Of the interests Of its readers q
Gil. BE reporter chartered chariot and reached the
grounds with record that would vie with the speed
of Rarus.
that the wing known the work house was rreyoca-
Oily enveloped In flames, and in less than twenty
minutes afterwards the only sign to designate its
former lte were four CHASTITY looking walls
A strong northwest wind was blowing, and the
efforts OF the department directed towards saw
ing q long row OF frame work houses and sheds
situated southeast of the building that had been de-
stroyed, the flames in the meantime having com
municated to an immense quantity of pine slabs.
The hose was attached to the cstern and for three
hours it was desperate struggle between the fire
and its heroic opposers for supremacy, victory at
last browning the efforts Of the latter.
The building destroyed, as heretofore mentioned,
Is known as the work house, and comprised the tin
shop, the boot and shoe department and the laundry
The origin of the fire is not definitely known but the
most plausible theory among the many being that it
originated in the drying room situated directly over
the tn boiler and engine house. It was also
stated that an explosion had taken place, but
this theory is not generally credited, the
to incendiarism, which is question reserved for flu
ture consideration.
The building was constructed in 1873, at an esti-
mated cost of $500. recent inventory estimates
the amount of manufactured tinware on hand at
$1,000, in addition to which the quantity of
teria boots and shoes, clothing, stock, TOOLS etc., is
estimated at $l,0U0, making total loss of 80 900.
1t is probable that the entire loss will exceed the
iastnamed amount, as the confusion was 80 great
that information as to details was very difficult of
attainment. The insurance the building as stated
through the kindness of Mr.. F. Mccormack, secre-
tary OF the Reform school, amounts in all to S. OOO
being equally distributed between the Underwriters
insurance company and the Connecticut Fire insur-
ance company OF Hartford.
The number Of boys thrown out of employment
will not exceed twenty-five, great many Of the in
mates of the institution being employed in other de-
partments than the ones mentioned.
Superintendent Riheldaffer and Mr.. d. W. Inger-
SOL did good service in maintaining order, and the
ire department were indefatigable in their efforts
and successfully so, to avert more widespread
calamity. It may be well to state that the remaining
walls are In a threateningy dangerous condition,
the south wall having caved with resounding crash
at uiPhtfa1l.