Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1895-11-08
The University of Virginia Fire

MI. Mcdonald of the firm of Mcdonald
Bros. & Spooner, visited the University last
week and made an examination of the burned
buildings. Mr.. Mcdonald IS convinced that
the walls of the Rotunda are sound and that
they can be used in rebuilding. He says the
Rotunda and wings can be rebuilt in such a
short time we refrain from stating it for fear
il may not be credited.
The first public use made of the Rotunda
was in 1924, when reception was given to
General Lafayette.
The father of DR.. W. e. N. Randolph, the
rector, bitterly opposed the building OF the
would lead to the burning of the rotunda
"It is, said he, quitting too many eggs in
one basket
The original University bell was not DIES.
troyed in Sundays fire. 1t was in the muse
UNI. having been placed there years ago after
it had been injured by some boys who filled
it one cold night with water that frOze and
cracked it. This bell will now be remount-
ed and placed in the old chapel.
We have understood that Miss Ellen Ran
dolph of Edgehill has in her possession
the original detailed drawing by Mr.. Jeffer-
son of the Rotunda. together with complete
estimate of material and cost of workmansh ip
The students of the University of Pennsyl-
vania held mass-meeting Monday morning
after hearing of the fire, and passed resolu-
| tions of regret and sympathy, copy of which
was sent to the University of Virginia.
l. Prof. Noah K..Davis, under date of the goth,
writes as follows to j. E.GiIbert D. D.. OF
Washington D. c.: "On Monday, the day
after the fire, all the work of the University
went right on without break, All GLASSES
INST at their usual hours, and all lectures
were delivered. though in improvised lecture
rooms, society halls. &C.. just as if nothing
had happened. The students of the current
session will lose nothing, and by next sessisn
we shall be in better condition than ever be-
fOre''
The portrait of Thomas Jefferson in the
Rotunda was not destroyed as was reported
but was taken in safety to DR.. Barringer's
residence.
The Baltimore Sun subscribed $500 to re-
building the rotunda.
In the fire among the valuable relics des
troyed was the original of Lord Cornwallis's
pdlOlo,SiFel W OtHcidl w doAIHRIOu dG Oih
Town, 2Sth day of October, 1872
A meeting was held at Lexington Monday
presided over by Hon. John Randolph Tuck
er, at which resolutions of sympathy were
adopted, and it was resolved to open sub
scription list.
A large meeting of the University alumni
was held in Washington city on Saturday, al
which addresses were made by Postmaster
General Wilson, Secretary of the Navy Her
bert, and other distinguished men. A lettel
was read from Bishop Keane of the Catholic
University at Washington, regretting his
inability to be present, and adding the hope
that later on he would be able to put hi:
name to the subscription list for the rebuild
ing of the Rotunda.
At tie meeting of the alumni in Washing.
ton, the interest of President Cleveland was
evidenced in the following letter:
'sFhe President directs me to acknowledge
the receipt of your favor of the 3Oth ultimt
and to say to you that while he has great
sympathy with the objects of the meeting
and hopes that it may be successful in its
purpose, his engagements are such that it will
be impossible for him to personally attend.
Every truly yours,
"HENRY Il. THURBER.''