The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-07-14
The New Building Completely Destroyed,
and the Old One Only Saved by Most
Strenuous Effort.
Horrible Butchery by an Insane
Farmer near Dwight, Ill.
He Murders His Wife and Two Children, and
Blows Out His Brains-NOtes and
GleaniDgs in Two States.
INDIANA.
Details of the Fire at Blooming ton-The
LIZ.

Details of the Fire at Bloomington-The
Losses and Insurance.
Bloomington Telephone Extra, Yesterday.
The new university building is in ashes,
and only the ragged walls, built so firm and
strong, now stand to point to the observer
the once magnificent building that was the
pride of our little city and an honor to the
Commonwealth of Indiana
Thursday night, about 1920 o'clock, the
old university bell began to peal forth its
familiar tones, though strange at that time
and under the circumstances And soon the
people were out on the streets, wondering
what could cause its ringing little thinking
that the fiery flames would so soon visit us
again, with such disastrous results.
1t was only few minutes, however, until
the cry that "the new college is on fire" rang
out in the night air, and that the second
story was in flames. In the meantime, when
the alarm was first given, Engineer Howe
and Fireman Sibert were on duty, and the
"Sanderson" was preparing for the duty be-
fore her. A crowd of citizens, including the
fremen, soon pulled the steamer to the cs-
tern opposite the school building, and soon
the clang of the bell announced that the
hose-reel was on hand. 1t was only
few minutes until the thousand feet was
burning building. In the meantime the
flames had developed so rapidly that
it was evident that no power could extin-
guish the fire. as the second story was all on
fire and the explosives in the laboratory
burning. while the forked blaze was fast run
ming to the top of the building. The hand
engine was placed at the cistern near the
building and did good work. while the
steamer was pouring out water in a steady
stream.
1t was not long, however, until it was evil
dent that the new building must go, and at
once attention was directed to saving the old
building that joins it on the northeast
Water was poured upon it in torrents, the
engine now being at the branch east of the
college, and it was only by keeping the roof
running with water that it was saved from
catching, as high wind prevailed, and at
times it seemed as if the air was filled with
sparks.
1t was not long until it was evident that this
danger was over, as a steady stream bad kept
the north wall from falling and it was almost
impossible for the flames to get beyond con-
troll. By 1890 o'clock, the building was In
ashes, the woodwork almost all having been
burned, and only the smoking walls and
burning timbers, as they lay on the ground
now marked the scene of the disaster,
There were many theories as to how the
building caught on fire, but after a very care
full investigation by all parties who could have
any knowledge OF the affair, there seems to
be no doubt that it was fired by lightning, as
during the entire evening a severe thun-
der storm was raging. 1t is supposed
that the electricity was carried into the
building by a telephone wire that ran into
Professor Wylies room on the second story
for it was here the fire was discovered first.
AS there was very close discharge about a
quarter past s that was known to have struck
near from the terrible report, it is accepted
that this wire carried the lightning in the
room and slowly it caught, taking so much
time to make headway. This is substan-
tiated by the fact that light was noticed in
the room soon after the strike by passing
parties but supposed to be somebody in the
building with lamp as such was often the
case. There is no evidence of incendiarsm
as all the doors were locked and the flames
were confined to this room, and in it was the
electric battery.
THE LOSS AND INSURANCE.
By the time a sufficient number of people
were present to do anything it was too late