Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1885-10-30
STRUCK By LIGHTNING.
Mcdowell Hall Old St. Iohn's coIleoe
Threatened with Destruction.

-.
Threatened with Destruction.
Shortly before six O'Clock last evan.
Ing our city was visited with serisc
thunder storm, accompanied bv v;v;d
lightning, and a heavy fall 81 rain
during which the cupoia on Mellow,
ell Hall, OF St. Johns College was
struck, and the. large gilded acorn
some four or FIVE feet in circnmfar.
ence, was soon in light blaze. The
faculty were at once aroused to the
Importance of the danger. and An
alarm OF ire was Immediately given
oy the students. Notwithstanding
the drenching rain, our fire depart-
ment responded with alacrety. and
were soon on the spot, battling with
the flames. The strong easterly wind
which was blowing at the time famed
so as to make it impossible at FIRST to
reach the top of the cupola. $50 feet
from the ground. The Naval Acad-
envy FIRE department was also soon
on the spot, and assisted materially
our city firemen in their efforts to get
to the fire, but owing to the peculiar
situation of the flame, it was i'm posi-
Bile to reach it. After waiting some
time, they retired to the Academy,
ready at any moment to respond if
their assistance should be required.
The fire was completely confined to
this large acorn which was entirely
covered by heavy copper cap. which
acted as an umbrella against the
drenching rain, while only a spray
from the hose could reach the outer
edge, and thus it continued to burn
for seven hours in defiance of the be-
roic efforts of the fremen. Every
conceivable effort was made to get to
the hame-firemen risked their lives
to mount the cupola-but without suc-
cess; and their only alternative was to
watch and wait results, which they
did. About O'Clock the acorn or the
copper bowl containing thelive embers
fell towards the cupola, and the fame
began to spread, threatening destruc.
ton to the venerable building. 1t was
at this juncture that second alarm
was given but in the meantime many of
the firemen becoming weary and faint
from fatigue, bad left the scene for
their homes, and when the Chief Mar
shall sang out to man the hose and
get ready for the fight, there was no
steam and but few of the fremen to
assist. Through the efforts of Mr..
Sweet, O member of the Rescue Com
pany, steam was soon got up in the
engine, and good stream was play
ing on the Rre, and in short time after,
what threatened to be great confla-
grafton, was now subdued. Too much
praise cannot be besto wed upon our
brave fremen, who so nobly stood by
in the storm, and watched the pro-
grelss of the flames, and no doubt saved
from ruins, one of the historical build
ings in our city. Mcdowell Hall was
built In 1774 as the residence of Gov
ernor Eden. who from dispute with
the Legislature never occupied it. 1t
then became the property of st. Johns
College. The fash which caused the
FIRE was also distinctly felt by the Sec
rotary of State at the Executive Man
sion, and by private residents in the
it also broke up Profess
sor Laroux French class and severely
shocked So veral students who were 10
the college buildings; many ofthe glass
about the building were shattered.
and the chemicals in the laboratory
were also dis turbed by the shock The
most damage to the building was from
water. All studies were dispensed
with until Mon day.