Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-10-28

was removed. Not all Of the portraits
were saved. but a, this tirie IL Is impos-
sIble 10 say which were lost. Persons
acquainted with this historic room VIII
recall that portraits Of Jefferson. and of
Cabel and Minor. and other distinguished
professors: "Jeb' Stuart. the philanthro-
pst W. W. Corcoran. anu others. adorned
the walls. The marble figure Of jefferson.
by Gait, which faced the entrance to the
library was safely removed and when
the writer saw Il, it was securely and
carefully Swathed in a blanket in safe
place in the grounds
BUILDINGS BLOWN lP.
Hopeless OF saving the main building.
the next efforts were directed towards
removing the connection between it and
the buildings which enclosed the lawns
The connections Were low. one-storied
rooms. the one known as the "Old
Chapel" and the Other usel a. reading
room for students. They were soon de-
ndded Of their furniture and blown up.
IN The mean time the fire had reached
the rotDnda portco. and stopped the big
cock at five minutes 10 T.. The pavilion
nearest the main building was soaked
with water passed there by an active
bucket brigade. and the hose had been
kept playing on the debris of the de-
rloIished buildings and. though these
took FIRE AT different times. the dcstruc.
tive element was finally routed.
The KotundA dome collapsed. and in
four hours from the beginning there was
nothing standing but dismantled walls
and columns.
CALLS FOR HELP.
A. soon ds it was found that the pres
sure was insufficient to throw water upon
IN" building Staunton and Lynchburg
wcre requested 70 send their lire-engin s.
Bcth cities responded as promptly rs pos
sibie. S,aunton by sending fremen and
hose. ana LynchbuIg with firemen. hose,
and engine This latter company attempt
cd to attach to the Gre-pIug, bat finding
tnis impossible. IL had to resort 10 the
pond and force water about five hundred
yards 10 thc roiunda. The work of this
MA chine WAS splendid. and so mucn force
w.s cttrcisod tnat the hose hurst just
1s tine company had accomplished the
work of putting out The remaining pOr-
tons ol tbe burning building. Tie com
Ianj had arrived TOO late 10 render any
aesistalc. IN saving the building.
SCHOOL OF ATHENS LOST.
'rt- "Schoo! cr Athens" the handsome
copy of Raphacrs famous painting, was
lost. IL gave dignity to the building
about $jCv.
TIE spectacle OF this cherished ana
loved institution burning was agonzng
- hundreds among the thousand who
WITH. esel IT, Men. even men who had
r.: shed toars f1r years could not wholly
restrain them elves. aad If there had not
rcsn much work 10 be done the grief
would have found more noticeable OK
precision.
\ FIREMAN HURT.
= fireman from stanton named Smith
fen through the roof of the chapel" and
was painfully hurt. being cut above the
eve lIe was q bloody sight wh he
was taken from tho building He was not
injured. Several persons were
overcome 10y the heat. Much praise is
due To professors. students. and citizens
for The courage. endurance and good
sense which characterized their efforts TO
save the university The work of the
indies in saving the hooks and paintings
was & .mirarie. The wind, fortunately,
was not high at the beginning. and it
was from tie south. lad it been from al
Il
Griyol the flames into the other part Of
the university. Later the wind increased
t. "a slight gale. which carried sparks
from the hr- 10 cars Iiill setting FIRE
to the houses and stables Of Dr. Chancel-
lor. Professor Lambeth. ana others,
which was promptly cXiinsuished. De-
hris was carried a distance Of six miles
into the country, and portions OF it, part
IL burned. we're brought bdci, and shown.
PROFESSOR ECHOLS INJURED.
Professor Echols. who was conspicuous
for his courage and w,ll-directed efforts.
was So unfortunate as TO have three
fingers ON his left hand broken by 1ai
from the root of the reading-roon. lic
was further unfortunate in tndt b. lost
n gold watch and so IN currency. \.
Murray a Nttle boy. son Of Mr.. {. is.
Murray, while running 10 place OF
safety 60 avoid dynamite explosion. fell
and broke MS arm. The explosions of
lvnamiie shattered the windows in the
museum ana many private houses.
THE SADDEST FEATURE.
The saddest thing about the ire j. that
while the buildings may be replaced,
they can never be- reproduced, as their
peculiar style OF architecture is of
mast age and was by workmen imported
10 this country from Europe for the pur-
pose.
The streets were crowded with people
going and returning from The coniasra-
ion on foot and in vehicles. and the ears
were iammed on every trip. The lawn III
front OF the r0tunda was covered WIN
-nrniture ana other articles taken from
he buildings.
Great crowds Of people surrounded tn
,uilding. and upon every counIenance "d' !
he sadness of personal hurt The nre !
finding the pressure OF the /
water from the university pipes lnsur-
.jcnt. attached hose. as above-statci' /
10 the city pipes and cut OF the water |
rom the city a dangerous experiment /
considering the dryness Of the weather f,
mi under the circumstances, one OF
ybich no complaint could he made. 1t !
yas thought by many members ol 'He
COMPANIES that but for the lack OF press
ire when they arrived, they could have
controlled or confined the fire 20 the fuD-
ic Hall.