The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-01-27
ERSKINB COLLEGE BURNT.
THE OLD STRUCTURE WHICH HAS BEEN
AN IMPORTANT FIGURE FOR FIFTY
YEARS IS NO MORE.
Detailed Account of the Calamity 10
Dur Sister TOwn..A New and Grand
err Structure TO Rise From Its

ASncS.
Most of the readers Of this paper are famil.
lar with the campus of Erskine College, but
for those who are moi familiar with IT we Will
briefly describe It,. .
Back from the cent?: Of the campus. and
distant from the street about l59 yards, stands
Erskine College proper, Il three story building
with an ell, having u cupal0 above that. On
It's right front stands the PhiIomathean Lit
erary Hall. On its LEFT Is a large Two story
building called Lindsay Hall; away to the
left, and near the street Is the Euphem1an
Literary Hall. such is Erskine's cmmpus.
On Friday morning about l:30 O'Clock our
by the ringing OF alarum bells. 1t took but q
moment to see 1t was ErstSineCollege that was
on fire. And the cry went out 1.-THE college, Is
on tire,"and many went In u hurry TO the
When discovered the fire was confined to
the cupalo and roof, which were all aolaze.
Mr.. L.. 5 Galloway, who reached the scene
among the first, says that he went around Inc
entire building and that no room was on fire
then. On the third or top floor Is situated Or.
Il. Lathan's recitation room, the 7. M. Z. a.
nall, and u room In which the mummy was
kept.
or course every one saw that 1t was impos-
sIble to save the building, and so Ill efioits
were directed at saving all that was posi-
bic.
or course to save anything on the third
floor was out of question.
On the second floor was The recitation
| rooms of Profs. Todd and Mccain, and the
seminary, Win us Valuiplc llUldIy VI oNSi
1000 volImns, and also the library of Ers-
kline College, which was In the same room.
The burning cupalo which is situated just
over the entrance hall, aud the stair cases
was now falling in, rendering the ascent OF
The stairs not only difficult and dangerous.
but impossible, almost. Efforts were madeito
secure ladders so that some or the booRs
could be saved, but none could De lo1nd.
The windows OF the lower or first floor were
then broken open and the furniture OF the
rooms taken out. This was all that was
saved from the building.
AT one time the Lindsay hall was endan-
gered, but young men were stationed OH IL,
who with broOms swept streams OF sparks
from IL. They did n valuable service, and
were compelled 10 bear the Intense cold, ana
deserve praise for the part they played.
The fire was q long one. 1t was four O'Clock
before the last floor fell In.
There was no insurance on either the build.
ing or the library. and so the loss Is, there
fore, q total one. The loss is about US fol-
lows:
College building ............ ; O'VGoo W. "
Furniture OF Y. NJ. Z. A............. lou w
Furniture OF other rooms zee. lU w
1000 or more books..................... 6,0O w
Museum. 49,. -. -. ...... lN %
rotal. .sl2,40O 90
We do not think that over estimated. The
building was completed and first occupied IN
1918. and cost originally S7,l00. The library OF
The seminary, and we feel sure cost more
thnn So,OOO, tnouSn perhaps IL coulu NC re-
placed by that amount.
The origin OF the fire remains a mystery.
1t originated about the belfry, but In what
manner no one knows. or course there are
many theories, but we are not dealing In
theories. Tt Is thought, however, that 1t was
accidental.
The morning DIR. Grier announced that the
exercises would be continued at once. -.
The MCGEE house has been rented, and all
hXed up and Sabbath School exercises were
held In 1t yesterday.
Work on the new College will commence at
once. The plans ma have to be altered
somewhat, but IL will occasion no delay.
Many have visited the ruins. The walls re-
manned standing.
We feel that all AbbevilIe county sympath-
les with the entire community. We know
she feels a loss as well az we.
The new College will be ready for occupancy
by October LIST, IL is thought. r..