The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-01-30

The night school for free mechanical
instruction will be organized this even
ing at the courthouse. Instruction is
to be given Monday, Wednesday, and
Friday nights in mechanical and free
hand drawing, and in mathematics me-
chanics and physics.
TIMES representative had an inter
teresting interview yesterday with
Prof. William Taylor Thorn, one Of the
leaders of the movement. ''It is our
object" said the professor, "to afford
the men in tho various manufacturing
establishments, and any others with
an opportunity to receive mechanical
instruction. This is an industrial COM
munity, and there are many young men
and older ones too, that are likely to
take the course we will start out with.
The school will be free to all who desire
the instruction. Young men and boys,
and those who are farther advanced in
life, are invited to attend.
"There are doubtless many men in the
Machine Works, the Bridge Works and
rolling mills that will be glad to en-
brace the opportunity of taking n course
in mechanics. Perhaps many young
men in tho roilroad Offices and also
carpenters will like to take drawing.
The instruction will be free to all these,
and the necessary outlay for books and
material will not exceed SIS.
eve hope that this enterprise will
grow, and that the establishment of n
mechanical or polytechnic institute will
be the final result.
The Mechanical Institute of Rich
mond was started us q free night school
about six years ago, and now has about
800 students. We are endeavoring to
aid the laboring people, and hope to
create n sentiment i'll favor of industrial
education.
1--WE first thought of trying to cstab-
lish an industrial institution, but.
finally decided, as that would require a
considerable outlay, to start with tho
free night school in the hope that the
enterprise will create sufficient interest
in this branch of education to demand
mechanical institute that will meet the
requirement of this rapidly developing
industrial section"
The corps of teachers who have
volunteered their services are thor.
! oughly qualified, practical men.
Prof. William Taylor Thorn, M. A., is
n graduate OF Washington and Lee Uni
versity, and was for some time professor
Geo. Il. Henderson Is chief craftsman
of the motive power department of the
Norfolk and Western railroad.
j. Fred Temple is graduate of the
Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He is
chief craftsman of tho American Bridge
Works, and recently declined the chair
of civil engineering ut Cornell Univer-
sity.
William NJ. Dunlap. the city engineer
OF Roanoke, is graduate of Washing
ton and Leo University, and was for
some time assistant professor of civil
engineering III that institution.
James r. Schick, c. f., assistant
engineer and craftsman in tho Office of
the chief engineer of the Norfolk and
Western railroad is graduate Of
Lafayette College of Engineering
Pennsylvania.
c. G. Cushman, NJ. E., is q graduate
OF Maine State College, class of 80.
A. j. Coffin, Il. s., and j. ID. Lazell,
NJ. f., are also graduates of Maine State
College.
w. c. holland is an architect who
stands high in his profession.
A. Gartner is n native German and is
a graduate Of n German university. He
is chief craftsman in the Office Of the
engineer maintenance of way of the
Norfolk and Western railroad
raise Alarm From the Machine Works.
The alarm Of fire yesterday evening
at 8 o'clock was occasloned By a false re-
port coming in over tho wire from the
Roanoke Machine Works. The COM
panies responded promptly,and ploughed
through tho mud down CAMPBELL street
only To find that no one at the Machine
Works had heard of a fire. This makes
the fourth or fifth time false alarm
has Deen turned in through this system,
used exclusively by the Machine Works,
and the management is puzzled to find
out tho cause.
An Engine Jumps the Track.
Engine No. 80, attached to passenger
train No & iumnnl tho trnclc ON Tho