Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1891-09-16


gathered from all directions.
About forty students room in the
building. There were four rooms in
the attic and about twenty rooms on
tae fourth floor.
AT 9:45
the fire had got down into the ser
ond floor AMI was spreading with
great rapidity, windows were burst
ing out and general havoc was inn
minent. The only question was
would the walls stand. Built in
the form of cross, the outside
walls would stand almost any strain.
At about this time both engines got
streams to playing on the building,
but not in time tn save the library
on the third floor, where $4,000
books were stored, a treasure of
Willamette university that has been
gathered since it's first foundation.
At $50 the firemen got the hose
playing on the interior of the second
floor, drenching every room and the
staircase in a great effort to prevent
cutting the entire building.
WHERE IT STARTED.
A room in the est garrett is where
the fire started, student having
left fire in hislstove and gone to his
classes.
THE LOSERS.
The students have lost nearly all
their clothes and books. Profs.
Arnold, Starr and Whitaker are
heavy losers in books, museums and
apparatus. DR.. Whitaker had just
put in about 1909 volumes of his
library, but they were all got out
and were badly damaged.
THE INSURANCE.
II is known that the building was
insured for $4,000 in reliable COM
panies.
UNDER CONTROL.
Shortly after 10 o'clock the fire
was under control and in not much
danger of spreading to the lower
floors. The upper part presents
black and charred appearance. and
the other parts of the building are
flooded with water.
IN THE RUINS.
The garret is a scene of devasta-
ton. The college opens to the sky
and the ceiling over the library is
broken through. Standing as it
does opposite the state house, and
strong wind (for Oregon) from the
south, cinders were blown over on
the domeless structure. The walls
are not injured much, big streams of
water pouring in keeping any great
heat from developing within the
structure.
THE FIREMEN
did good work, getting one hose
from Tiger engine onto the third
floor and deluging it, stopping the
flames from working down. There
was no lIfe-saving work to perform,
but several times the situation Was
very dangerous and required the
greatest pr1mptness. At times
heavy tirnbers We're falling inside
and out, carrying great masses OF
fame aud burning boards through
the air. The heat ia the dome YVES
80 great as to melt the college bell,
and the pieces of metal when cooled
were carried off as mementos of the
fire. Every room in the building is
drenched aud in ruins so far as its
contents Are concerned. Forces of
students are at work clearing the
floors AID restoring order, tho at 3
D. m. fire is still snlouldering on
some of the timbers.
THE Loss
on the building would be difficult to
estimate, but the trustees believe 1t
is fully covered. OF the $4,000 In
policies 5000 is with the Phoenix
Co., $500 in the State and $500 in
the Northwestern. The loss will be
between 5000 aud $500.
WHAT SHOULD BE DONE.
The building should now at once
be pui ia The haads Of competent
architect ami rebuilt upon in mod
ern style Of architecture, and get rid
of the nld-fashioned, stiff structure.
There is chance now to put Villa
mette ON footing the school never
had before. With such prompt
action as will no doubt be hal there
is no reason why the school cannot
be re-opeded ia three or four weeks
Other buildings will be used a. once
aud there will be no interruption of
class W lrk.
The faculty and trustees express
themselves as greatly pleased with
the splendid work of sle lire de
partment. 1t WAS a bard hFe wei
fought in a short tine, with the least
possible damage.