Kansas City daily journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1892-1897, 1896-09-25
MISSOURI MILITARY ACADEMY AT
MEXICO BURNED.
EARLY YESTERDAY MORNING.
CADETS HAD TO JUMP FROM WIN
DOWS TO SAVE THEMSELVES.
One or Two Deaths May Rcsult-Loss
Is $75,OOO, with 1880 Insur-
ance-Deubtful If the Acad.
cmy Will BE Rebuilt
Cause Unknown.

Mexico, Mo-, Sept. 2.-(Special) Fire
laid low the Missouri Military academy
early this morning. The flames were dis
covered about midnight and had gained
such headway that it was impossible to
check them until there was nothing left
but a smoldering mass of ruins. The loca!
fire brigade worked heroically but to no
avail.
Many Of the cadets were injured in es-
Gaping from the building. One or two
deaths may result. The boys were asleep
when the fire was discovered. and when
they were awakened the flames had cut
off the avenues of escape and there was
nothing left for them to do but to jump for
their lives.
The building was three story brick.
and some of the boys had to jump from
the top floor.
Below is given a full list Of those whose
injuries are at all serious:
H. T. Guernsey, Independence. Kas., face
chest and back one solid mass of burns;
is also badly bruised.
w. Patier, Cairo. ILL.,. arm broken.
Walter Wolf. East st. Louis. back broken
and injured internally.
Daniel Boone, st. Louis. both ankles
Sprained.
Mr.. Halliday. St. Louis. leg broken and
back injured.
Cyrus Kidd Hannibal. No., back sprained
and injured internally; -
Chester Elliott. Humansville. Mo-. foot
badly injured.
located.
John Mcclellan. Enid, o. T., arm broken.
Captain Greiner Ohio. arm broken.
Bruce Christian, Fairfax, NO., back and
- Todd, St Louis. No.. shoulder dislo-
Gated.
Captain Glasscock. Paris, No., side very
Robert Judson. Salem. Mo. back sprained:
NJ. C. Dobson, Kansas City, sprained
back and knee.
F. L. Wheeler, st. Louis, back badly
sprained.
Prosser Ray. st. Louis, chest hurt inter-
nally.
How the fire originated is mystery that
will likely never be solved. 1t is known
to have started in or about the east wing
of the building. The circumstances are
suspicious and seem to point to incen-
diarism.
Cadet clopton. son of the United States
district attorney of st. Louis and Cadet
themselves heroes and saved several lives.
Captain Glasscock, military instructor and
Lieutenant. Good, U. S. A., also did heroic
rescue work.
When Cadet Clopton was awakened by
the smoke. he sounded the fire call on his
bugle and aroused his sleeping comrades.
W Ltn tne nelp OF AuStln, ne succeeded IN
helping several Of his frightened and al
mcst helpless comrades to get out of the
burning building. Captain Glasscock and
Lieutenant Good ran from room to room
at the peri! Of their lives. getting out the
students who had not been awakened by
the bugle call. Cadet, Captain Rolla Nc
1ntyre was taken out by Lieutenant Good,
who was compelled to jump with him from
a. third story window. Both the older
officers escaped without injury
The building was insured for s375OO. while
the loss Is estimated at about twice that
amount. Colonel nTieet the president is
greatly disheartened, With tears in his
eyes he said 1t was doubtful II the school
would ever be rebuilt.
Few of the boys saved any personal eff
fects. and many are in deplorable plight.
The wounded were taken in by the hotels
and private citizens and all that was pos
stble to add to their comfort was done,
The cadets that were able to go were sent
to their homes.
The main building Of the academy was
erected in 1880 and an addition built in
1891. 1t was one of the best known mill
tary, schools in the country. Lieutenant
Good, an army officer detailed by the
the military training of the academy.