The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1892-01-19
THE MISSOURI UNIVERSITIES
MAIN BUILDING BURNED.
NOTHING SAVED IN The LIBRARY.
The Professors Lose valuable Private
Property The total Loss to the
State Three Hundred THOUSAND
OolIars-Presldeat Jesse Has
Narrow Escape De.
tails OF the Disaster.

CoLrMsIA. Mo. Jan. 1.-THE main
building Of the Missouri state university
was destroyed by lire Saturday night
causing loss Of about $4,000.
The chapel was 10 have been used In tho
evening for an open session OF the
AthanGan society and the building was
accordingly lighted and heated. The
audience had begun TO assemble when the
falling Of the large chandelier in the audi
torium gave notice that something was
wrong. An investigation followed and
fierce fire was discovered in the university
library above
The fire had started from an electric
light wire and was under full Roadway
before it was discovered
Strenuous efforts were made to check
the flames. but without avail and shortly
the entire new east wing was mass OF
flames, which nothing could stay.
Fortunately the entire audience was
able to get out safely and no one was hurt
to any extent
The fires work on the main building was
complete and $780, COD has gone, with in
surancc of only $li2, SOD TO cover = losses;
&i2s, $50 on building and heating and light
ing apparatus. almost all of the latter be-
ing total loss; $4,000 on the library Of
40, 900 volumes, many Of which it Will be
impossible to replace; 5000 on library
furniture and pictures.
The loss of personal effects among the
professors, which includes libraries and
private apparatus, will reach several thou
sand dollars, on none Of which was there
any insurance. Prof. John Durham
alone lost library valued at Sl2. 0C0 and
Prof Blackwell one Of nearly the same
value AS yet it has been impossible to
ascertain the total private losses, but they
will probably reach sl5 900.
The fire originated in the four story east
wing Of the building from an electric light
wire, and was first discovered between z
and 8 o'clock in the ceiling between the
library and the chapel. But few persons
were in it at tie time, and
those Immediately sought the library
where they were shortly reinforced
by President Jesse and several students
and janitors. Although the university
waterworks were Immediately brought
into play, the fire had gained too great a
Roadway before being discovered to be
was so dense that il was almost inpossi-
, BILE to do anything.
One citizen was overcome by the smoke
and but for timely assistance would have
burned to death.
Later President Jesse was caught on the
third floor with escape shut OF and had to
come down on q rope.
The following address has been issued
! by President Jesse:
ITO Patrons apd Friends Of the Uni.
!! versity OF the State of Missouri
main building OF the state university Is
| burned. The college OF agriculture, the
medical building, the observatory, the
! presidents house and the three clut
houses, the experiment station and all the
property on the farm and the Horticultural
! grounds remain in tsct. Every church,
hall and public building in Columbia has
been placed at our disposal There will
be no suspension Of regular work, not
even for day. The students have volun'
tarily pledged themselves to stand by theil
Alma Mater. The alumni, patrons ant
friends Of the university will surely eQua
the zeal of the students corps. Building
will begin Immediately. Let US remembei
that all things work together for good Il
such as do their duty faithfully and put
their trust in God.
| r. II. JESSE, President
To-day the governor and the members
Of the board Of curators will be here, AZ
official call having been issued. and meet
ing will be held to consider ways ant
means for the future. Those Of the cur
ators who are here say the work OF remov
al Of debris and preparations for rebuild
ing will commence at once.
Governor Francis arrived last night h
attend meeting Of the board Of curators
While he refused TO talk for publication
it is current report that he will call thu
Legislature in extra session inside OF thirty
days.
The building destroyed by fire wa
located in the midst Of a beautiful rollin
campus in THE southern suburbs OF Colun
bia The structure was four stories hig
with basement and faced north, presen
. ing a front OF 3i7 feet the front OF the oil
building which APPEARS in the center, b
ing only l57 feet The chapel or auditorium
| constituted the east or left hand win
with library hall, iere the fiji
originated, above Between the chap
and the old building there WI
an entrance and stairway hall Of twen'
feet running back the entire depth Of u
( chapel The west wing was also divide
: from the main building by similar ha
. and contained the museum seventy-fve
n forty feet in dimensions. The entire bull
ing was lighted by electricity and heat
a by steam.
II Mysterious Tragedy In Nebraska.
CpptScvrrw Neb Ian II The HO