Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-11-06
rnr GtR1s AL EScAPED.
The asonfieeIIO Seminary Destroyed
by FIRE.

" r. IRE.
A Godfrey 1r) special SAYS: The famous
Monticello Seminary was destroyed by fire ~
I O'Clock this morning and i2j young ladies
lad a narrow escape from irlghtiul death.
The nisAt was clear snd cold and az 10
O'Clock every inmate OF tho college was In he'd
or preparing 10 retire. At midnight the Ere
broke ont "a the basement, directly beneath
the kitchen, aud burned FOR a considerable
period before the danger was discovered.
The smoke assembled through the balls OK
the main building, and pouring through con-
meeting doors into the hollis OF the dormi-
tones IN both wings. aroused the girls and
teachers.
By this time the fire had taken possession
OF me first sud second floors Of the main
building and was reaching ont 10 the wings.
The teschers showed rare presence ot mind
70 THIS terrible crisis. Many OF the girls were
vet sleeping s0unlly, unconscious OF danger,
though gae smoke wsS suilOcaslng and the
panic widespread. The women and Older girls
struggled btayely through the smoke, pulling
the terrified girls out o. bed, and lnstructiug
them TO leave everything aud run Tor
their lives. The stirWaTs at both ends OF
the wings were not yet IN possession az
the flames, and the frightened girls. cad
only in their night-clOthes, rushed pellmel
through toe binding smoke and escaped
down the stairs. some carried their clothes
in their arms. some carried souvenirs Of at-
lection iu the shape OF books, oirds, and cor
respondence. All were dreadiuly fright
encl by The awful glare Va the rear. and yet
many refused 10 move uutli assured tat low
ing companions were safe. The girls hud-
died in groups In front Of the building and
remained until Al the students were reported
safe. They were then distributed among the
ucighhors I'm the town OF Godfrey, and every
effort vas made 10 sOotne Their distress,
Before the escape OF the students two ser
want girls who were sleeping Ia An apart
meut over the kitchen jumped from the
windows. aud are believed TO have sustained
fatal injuries. Mrs. Haskell, the prncipal,
was almost crazed by the casually. As the
little town Of Godfrey is practically helpless
in case Of fire kilograms were sent 70 Alton
asking for engines. Meanwhile the fire bad
taken euiire control OF the old college that
has been one OF the most illustrious Alumn1
in the United States. The building was ot
stone, five stores high, and 10 feet front II
was built m 1915 by Benjamin Godfrey,
IT'S founder, and was the Oldest seat
81 learning Of rs kind IN the West. Before 3
O'Clock IN the morning il was IN ruins. The
flames swept through the wings. the chapel,
and all the school-rooms. A fine gallery OF
paintings was DESTROYED and a library that
wss the pride Of the seminary. Valuable
collections Of souvenirs and gifts from the
Aumua met tire same fate The out.houses
ADD stables went down before the march Of
the fire, and the total los is estimated at
$3.50. 600 Most OF the young ladies lost
everything except their night-dresses and
lIYe5. Money, baggage, and everything OF
value was abandoned. They take their loss
good naluredly, and are thankful for their
fortunate escape.