Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1895-10-28
THE uNIvERsITY BURNED.

lottesyllle, sustained neaVy loss yes
terday by the burning of the rotunda
and main hall, the most important
buildings of the institution.
Richmond. Lynchburg and Stanton
disp tched fremen and engines on fast
trains, some of them reaching the scene
in time to do good service in saving ad-
Joining buildings. The loss is estimated
at over 5000, 900, on which there is an
insurance of S25 1000. The fire was dis
covered at 1880 o'clock yesterday
morning by several students. 1t started
in the annex to the rotunda, near the
copy of RaphaePs painting of the
School of Athens. This cost $500
aud was lost. Before the fires
force was spent not only the annex, but
its contents, of almost incalculable
value, were totally destroy ed, and
the grand old rotunda, which stood as
| the greatest monument to Jefferson,
| t e immortal founder of the university,
and which was constructed after his
own plans, was mass of ruins. The
fire. which was discovered by some
students, burned fercely, and though
over five hundred young men used
what appliances they could get to check
the fire, it was beyond their control, and
that of the fremen of Charlottesville,
who came to their assistance. a brisk
wind was blowing, and it soon became
evident that without more effective ap.
planes the adjoining buildings were
doomed, for the water mains in the
university were being repaired, and a
good head of water could not be OBJ
tanned.
Under the supervision of Professor
Echols, the corps of students made
strenuous endeavors, by the use OF
dynamite, to prevent the spreading of
the fire to the rounds. So massive was
the structure, however, that the dyna-
mite had little impression, and Pro-
fessor Echols, standing on the roof of the
library building, threw large quantity
of dynamite to the roof of the rotunda.
A crash followed, and burning frag-
ments of brick and tin were thrown in
every direction. On each side of the
portico were massive pillars of Italian
marble, which were carved in Italy al
a great cost for MIR. Jefferson, and these.
could not be overthrow. By this time
the fire had gotten beyond all bounds,
and leaped from the annex to the ro-
tunda. The firemen at once directed
their attention to this building, as in ii
was the magnificent library of $4,000
volumes, many of them extremely rare
and valuable, life size statue of Jeffer-
son, and large number of magnificent
portraits and rare works of art. The
sludentsin a body heroically worked to
slve this valuable property. Among the
portraits burned was that of Jefferson
The statue of Jefferson, which is very
heavy, was dragged from the building
by willing hands and saved as was the
bust of the late Professor Minor, which
| vas unveiled last spring with imposing
ceremonies. Much of the valuable out
tit of the department of physics was
saved.
The rotunda of the university was on
high spot. The dome could be seen
for miles around. There is great va.
riety in the architecture of the various
buildings, examples of specimens from
Rome, medieval Europe and American
buildings being seen. Jefferson planned
the university, and himself made the
original survey of the grounds. The
rotunda he placed in the middle of the
campus. He modelled it after the Pan
theon at Rome. 1t was used for Ii.
brary (she upper foor), and the lower
floors were divided into lecture rooms.
1t was very large building, built Of
brick. The entrance, fronting the lawn,
was adorned with fine columns. The
view from the porch was fine. Elk
tending from the rear of the rotunda
and connected by passageway, was
large building, in the upper floors OF
which was an assembly hall, where the
commencement exercises were held.
Below this were number of lecture
rooms, all large.
The larger part of the llbrary's con-
tents were removed, books, paintings
and statuary. From the department OF
physics much of the valuable equip
ment was rescued and stored in the
museum nearby.
When it was seen that the rotunda
was doomed, efforts were directed to
saving the professors houses. These
were connected with the rotunda by
the "Old Chapel" The latter build
ing was blown up with dynamite and
the flames arrested. Just then the
wind changed, aud a clean sweep OF
the buildings was averted. The stu
dents worked with much bravery and
system, and it is due to their efforts
that much valuable property was saved.
All during the fire the big clock on
the portico of the rotunda licked away
and tolled the hours, until, just as it
was one, the fire reached il and the
roof collapsed, bringing the old time
piece beneath q mass of debris. The
scenes around the fire beggar descrip-
ton. Not only did the men and boys
put forth every effort to save the loved
and venerated building, but the ladies of
Charlottesville and vicinity took an &C.
tive part, and in several cases had to
be carried from the building, where
their lives were imperiled. They rem
dered great and valuable assistance,
especially in saving books.
It is wonderful that the casualties
were so few, since dynamite was freely
used, and at times the air was full OF
flying debris, while portions of the
walls fell without warning.
Prof. w. 81. Echols, who headed the
force, was brave to rashness, and while
upon the old chapel, arranging the
cartridges, he fell distance of twelve
feet, AID. besides being stunned and
bruised, had three fingers broken. lie