The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1893-12-13
A Girls College Burned.

BIRMINGHAM, ALA, December 1.-THE
Southern Female University was burned
to the ground last night. The casualties
we're: Miss Minnie Dean, Of Warrior,
Ala, fatally burned Virginia West, SER
want, badly burned and arm broken from
jumping from window; j. B. Robbins,
badly burned. The structure was frame
and the girls were saved with great
difficulty, being hurried from their beds
Just in time to escape. Jim Foster was
badly burned saving tho young women.
University have been found. Minnie
Dean, who ran back into the burning
building to save her jewelry, died this
morning. The two servants burned will
recover, The loss is estimated at $50, 900;
insurance, $4,000.
It develops that Miss Dean, after she
had safely escaped from the burning
building, ran back to her room, it is said,
to save her engagement ring. when she
was enveloped in flames. Four young
women, who were missing last night,
were found this morning about O'Clock
huddled up together half and nearly
frightened to death, in the woods near
the college. The finding Of them accounts
for all the missing.
A revised list Of the dead and injured
Is as follows:
Dead-Miss Minnie Dean, of Warrior,
Ala, aged 10, burned to death.
Injured-Virginia West, chamber
maid who jumped from third-story
window, is not expected to survive.
back sprained by jumping from win
dow. j.. B. Robbins, James Foster,
Sam Newhouse, Prof H. Brechter were
all painfully burned in their efforts to
save the girls.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala, Dec. 7.-As
result OF the Southern University fire
last night, Miss Minnie Dean, Of War
rior, Ala, a lovely young woman and
member of the senior class, is dead, and
Virginia West, chambermaid, is not
expected to recover. The other parties
who were injured will recover beyond
doubt. Miss Deans parents arrived in
the city this morning and left with her
remains at noon.
When the fire was discovered, about II
o'clock last night, the teachers ran down
the hall screaming:
"Fire Fire! Girls, fly for your lives
You.have no time to dress p
Many of the young ladies rushed madly
from the building. Others became panic
stricken and halted. One locked herself
in her wardrobe, and had to be taken out
by force. Several crawled under their
beds and had to be pulled out. Once out
|. In the chilly air their senses were restor-
ed.
Then it was that the pandemonium
reached its height. The girls were 80
scattered that 1t was impossible to have
any accounting It was stated that sew.
eral girls were in the burning building.
Sister was separated from sister, room
mate from roommate, and 1t naturally
occurred TO. each girl that her loved one
was among the unfortunates.. In this
state of anxiety and dread, kind persons
bundled little groups off to neighborinG
residences and some were brought to the
CITY and lodged at the hotels. Many 81
poor girl spent the night In prayer and
tears. lest there be some friend among
the unfortunates.
Four girls clad in night gowns were
found early this morning huddled
together in the woods near the lake.
They had been there all night and were
frightened almost to death. This morn"
ing the girls were mustered In the parlor
at the Caldwell hotel. It was almost
amusing to observe the costumes worn
on the occasion. Scarcely any Of the girls
escaped with any clothing except tnelf
night dresses and, of course, they had to
borrow. Many frail little girl wore the
wrapper Of stout matron and many 81
tiny foot was encased in shoe that might
have fit the wearer's papa. AS a girl
who had been missing would enter the
room, the others would fly to her anol
shower caresses and tears upon her.
When the roll was called all answered to
their names except those known to be
dead or injured. By noon comfortable
although not in every case becoming,
clothing had been provided for all tho
girls and they went to the train as an
escort to the remains of their dead COM
rade.
All of them were crying bitterly and
the sight was an extremely sad one.
The coffin was covered with flowers anc
the remains were taken to Warrior,
where they were buried this afternoon,
Miss Dean was nineteen years old and All
intelligent, beautiful girl,