Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1884-02-26
FURIOUS FLAMES!
South Kentucky College, in this
city, Burned Sunday. All Of
the Young Ladies' Saved.
A PUBLIC CALAMITY.

The rapid intonations of the fire
bell, at 5 80 O'Clock Sunday afternoon,
caused the people Of IIopkinsvillc to
rush to their doors and behold South
Kentucky College developed in flames.
The flames were bursting out Of the
rear windows when the alarm was
given and before the fire department
could reach the spot the main build
ing was doomed.
The College was situated in Il @
eastern part Of the city, twelve
hundred yards from the Court house,
upon ashill one hundred feet or more
above the level Of the business pOr-
ton Of the city. Up this incline the
engine had to be drawn with two
horses. The poor animals were al
most exhausted when the top OF the
hill was reached, bat the flremcn
seized the wheels and almost lifted
the heavy engine into the yard and in
a few minutes more the hose was
throwing two fine streams upon the
southern ell, which was occupied by
the servants. The main building was
wrapped in flames aid it was impos-
siblc to save it, but by the heroic eX-
ertions of the fire department por-
ton of the right wing was saved.
This was two-story brick extension,
three rooms long, used as kitchens
and cook-room. The fire originated
over the dining room, between the
cook-room and the main building, in
the first room of the right wing and
no one can explain how it was start
ed. When discovered the flames
were bursting out at the corner and
leaping up towards the cornice on
the front building. The rest is but
the horrible sequence Of flames un-
combatted. A brisk wind famed
them to fury and the people after get
ting out everything movable could
only stand and gaze upon the horrific
but magnificientspectacle. The main
building was three-slorics high with
a frontage OF over 100 feet. A recess
in the middle made broad and
roomy porch, in which stood two
great round columns reaching to the
top of the building which yet stand
as monuments TO the triumph of the
flames.
The people turned out en-masse and
in an incredibly short space of time
the furniture from the entire build
ing, including the two-story wing on
the left, which was destroyed, had
been removed, though much of it was
badly damaged in moving. In ali
hour and half the work Of destruc-
ton was done, and the people slowly
dispersed to their homes, but all night
long the heated walls aud burning de-
Iris lit up the heavens and could be
seen for miles away.
THE LOSSES.
The losses as nearly as we can as
certain are about as follows:
On the building $4,000, with $4,000
insurance-dividcd equally between
the agencies of Winfree Il Kelly,
Long & Garnett and Miss Mollie Mar
tin on furniture $1,000 damages OH
what was saved-no insurance. Prof.
b. c. Deweese resided in the College
and his private library was insured
for $1,000; twas saved, though in a
damaged condition. The total losses
on the building and furniture may
be put at $4,000 with $1,000 insur-
ance. This estimate is upon the suppo-
sition that the present walls will be
used in building, as contractors are
of the opinion that they are not seri-
ously damaged. The building was of
course worth more than $4,000, but
we are estimating asnearly as possible
the actual cost of replacing it upon
the same foundations.
SKETCH OF SOUTH KENTUCKY COLLEGE.
South Kentucky College was built
by the Christian church Of Hopkins
vile, as female institute oflearning
some q years ago. 1t has been
conducted as Il denominations school,
under several mana gements. until
the first of January last AT the be-
ginning of this year it was leased by
Maj, S. II. Crumbaugh, for a term of
years, and he had just organized
strong faculty and placed the school
upon q high plane. 1t was to be a
mixed school and the prospect was
very flatterng. Prof. Deweese, a
member Of the faculty, was at the
head of the boarding department for
young ladies in the College. Fortu-
nately the fire occurred on Sunday and
only twelve young ladies were in the
building, which had boarding ca
pacity of GO. A number of new ones
were expected to arrive yesterday.
Had the fire occurred at night the re-
suits might have been terrible, but as
it was all got out safe.
THE PLANS FOR THE FUTURE.
The Board of Trustees met yester-
day and it was decided to rebuild at
once and have the college ready for
the fall session. The school will for
the present be suspended. This was
unfortunate as it was enjoying
genuine boom under the excellent
management of Maj. Crumbaugh. New
pupils were being enrolled daily and
the outlook was very encourage
ing. The following announcements
are authorized by the Board of Trus-
tees and President of the faculty: