Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-01-14

tered in the courage displayed by one of the
teachers. Miss Mofit stood in the Office Oi
the building, grasping the bell rope with
her hands, ringing out peal after peal OF
warning to the citizens while one of the
finest educational institutions in the State
burned over her head. The great bell swung
to and fro answering the girls command
until the rope snapped in twain, being
burned from the bell, ana in few moments
] the latter crashed down through the building
to the basement.
There were no accidents although there
were one or two narrow escapes. The jani-
tor had been in the center of the building
and came out at the main entrance only a
minute or two before the belfry fell. The
citizens, teachers and pupils worked with
might and main and by the time the fire
had reached the first floor all the furnishings
of the library, the principals Office and one
or two rooms on the first floor were removed
to the yard and saved. Several houses in
the vicinity of the building were literally
covered with sparks at times, but strangely
enough no damage resulted. The building
is total wreck, nothing being left but
naked walls more or less warped and out of
shape.
THEORIES ADVANCED AT RANDOM.
There were several theories afoat in
Williamsburg last night as to the origin of
the fire. Some said it had been started by
the electric wires, with which the building
is lighted, becoming crossed. Others at
tributed it to an incendiary origin. A
member of the School Board said:
"Much as dislike to do so, fear must
attribute the cause to csrelessness. The
janitor, Frank Nuneman, was in the belfry
at o'clock in the afternoon adjusting the
clock. He may or may not have accident
ally dropped a match or left a candle burn
ing up there. There was only one wire on
the top of the building, so that theory
does not hold good. Mr. Nuneman is the
only man who had been up there during the
day."
Prof Anderson said that when the fire
was first discovered few buckets of water
would have saved the building. If they
had had hose he was certain they could have
saved the two lower stories.
The people of the borough were quick to
appreciate the predicament the fire would
leave the school board in. In less than half
an hour after the fire broke out the United
Brethren congregation had offered the use of
their church in which to accommodate few
of the $50 pupils enrolled. At a
meeting of the School Board last night the
use of the Covenanter Church and three
rooms in the building formerly occupied by
st. James Parochial School swere rendered.
The Board appointed committee to secure
rooms through the borough and decided to
resume school next Monday.
PUPILS FROM ELSEWHERE ATTENDED.
Owing to litigation pending in regard to
the establishment of EdgewoOd as a bor-
ough, the pupils of Sterrett township at
tended the Williamsburg school. The board
passed resolution last night instructing
the Secretary TO notify the people of the
township that those pupils could not be
longer accommodated This will necessitate
the dropping of two teachers from the corps
of 16.
The meeting Of the board was held at the
house of the President, J. S. Stevenson.
The general feeling was that, although they
are considerably eneumbered, they would
proceed at once to rebuild. The school fund
amounts TO 5000. There is bonded in
debtedness of $4,000 on their property
The insurance on the DESTROYED building is
$50, 900, placed with J. W. Arrott in six
companies-two foreign and four American.
The insurance will hquidate the debt and
enable the board to issue new bonds for the
erection OF another building
TWICE BEFORE ON FIRE.
The building destroyed yesterday had
been the scene of fire on two previous oc-
casions. Once about six years ago. when
only the most vigorous efforts of the citizens
who formed bucket brigade preserved it |
from destruction. The second time was |
about three years ago. when slight fire &C. |
CURED in the third floor. The Fire Com |
mittee of the borough had recently located |
a hose company near the schoolhouse. and |
yesterday morning one of the directors |
spoke in a congratulatory manner in regard |
to the efficient facilities they would have in |
case Of fire.
The building was located on the corner of |
Wallace and Mill streets, on an elevation
overlooking the borough. 1t was an elegant
three-story brick, erected originally at a
cost of $50, 900, but was improved later. The |
building was handsomely furnished and |
arranged, making it especially
adapted for school purposes. 1t was the
pride of the borough, and it is said there
we're many moist ewes among the citizens as
they witnessed its destruction.
THEY PRIDED THEMSELVES ON IT.
The High School Department was an ad-
iunct of the school. being under the charge
Ot Prof Slater. There were 80 pupils en-
rolled. The grade OF the school was con-
Iidered higher than any city school Pupils
have passed the examination for admission
into the Pittsburg High School and have been
required TO attend two terms in Williamsburg
before being permitted to enter the High
School department. As proof Of the efi-