Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-03-10

One Person Killed, Three Fatally Injured
 and Several Others Badly Bruised-A
 Scene of Terror and Panic Among Fe-
 male Students.
 MITCHELL, D. T., March 10-The Metho- dist Episcopal university of this place was ? destroyed by fire yesterday afternoon. The list of victims includes one dead, three dying, and eight seriously injured At 8 o'clock a passerby saw smoke issuing from window in the college, and gave the alarm to the fac ulty and students. Starting up stairs he was met by dense cloud of smoke and fierce burst of flame at the landing on the second floor, adjacent to the art room. He shouted "F4re!" and a panic followed among the teachers, students and servants Some rushed for the stairs, and those in front escaped, but the smoke and flames drove the others back. Several of the young women tainted; ; others threw themselves on their knees in prayer, and all lost their presence of mind. In their confusion they ran for temporary safety to the third floor, where they stood for moment dazed by the horror of their situation Then a rear staircase was remem- bered, and, picking up the limp forms of the glrls, the little party grouped through the stliirfg atmosphere to q aFfiiaee of safety,
 Just as they got away from the blazing structure the whole second floor burst into flames. At that moment four young women appeared at the second story windows. They climbed out on to the window siils and mutely appealed for the heip that could not be given. The volunteer fire department had reached the ground, but its ladders were too short for use. From the sills the girls g.anced back at tine flames leaping toward them, and then, with an agonizing scream, desparingly dropped to the ground beiow. Fortunately a snowdrift broke the force of the fail, and they were p.cked up alive. Two of them, however, are badly hurt and cannot recover, They are Miss Hattie Tayior, teacher, Cam ton, D. T., spine injured; Miss Babcock, Mt, Vernon, D. T., injured internally; Miss strongs, back hurt.
 As the women were borne away four young men appeared at window on the third floor. Every avenue of escape was cut off. They hesltated moment, and then hanging from the ledge dropped to the frozen ground below. Professor o. H. Taylor fell like 50 much lead. His skull was fractured and his arm broken. He will probably die. Of the others, Thomas Horton Pitcher, of Worthwhile, D. T., re- celved internal injuries and died soon after.
 W hen lt was thought that all had escaped the white face of girl was seen at Q corner window. Two ladders were spiiced together, and yet the girl, who chung to the sill could not be reached. Calmly considering the chances, she dropped directly into the arms of the man at the top, and was borne to the ground unharmed
 Then Professor Duncan appeared on the roof, driven thence by the flames There was deep snow on the roof, and it was bit ter cold. He had secured ciothes line, and, fastening this to the water spout, he skd down through the flames. Both of his feet were frozen, and he was scorched in the descent The building was totally destroyed, causing a loss of S5O,000. It will be rebunt
 Following IS list of the victims: Horton Pitcher, Worthwhile, D. T., internal injuries, died in two hours; Professor R. H. Taylor, skull fractured, arm broken and internal in- juries, will die; Hattie Taylor, execution teacher, Canton, D. T., spine injured; Miss Babcock, Salem, D, T., internal injuries; Miss Strong, Mitchell, D. T., back bruised; Pro- lessor Duncan, lacerated hands and face; Will Smith, Brigewater, D. T., leg broken and internally injured; H. Parkin, broken ankle; Agra Jones, Parkstone, D. T., spine injured, and hurt internally; William Still well, feet and hands burned in saving a young lady.