The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-09-28
HoLYOKE IN ASHES
rz0NEER COLLEGE FOR THE HIGH.
Err EDUCATION OF WOMEN
BURNED.
STUDENTS ESCAPE INJURY.
FIND TEMPORARY SHELTER nv
CHURCHES AND PRIVATE
RESIDENCES.
with Insurance for but Half That
Amount-Structures VIII BE
Rebuilt.

SOUTH HADLEY, Mass, Sept. 27.-
mount Holyoke college, the pioneer In
stitution for the higher education of
woman, received a severe blow this
afternoon in the burning of the main
building, with a probable loss ot over
$l50O0O. The buildings have cost over
$30O,O00, and could not be replaced to-
day for less than 100000. Fortunately
none of the 400 students or faculty
were injured, there being ample time
Tor their escape, with part Of their
personal effects.
The fire was first discovered in the
laundry, in the gymnasium wing,
about 4:S0 o'clock. The college fire ap-
paratus was put to work, but it was
soon seen that they could not control
the fire, and help was sent for from
South Hadley Falls and Holyoke. Fire
apparatus was sent from these places
and a steamer and hose wagon were
sent, but owing to the distance and
delays, were too late to be effective.
The fire slowly worked through the
doorways in the fire wall, then into the
south wing of the building and then
into the large building fronting the
street. At the same time 1t burned
through the gymnasium into the north
wing and at 7:30 the entire structure
was a mass of flames. About o'clock
the walls began to topple over and an
hour later all that remained of the
structure were sections of the wall
looming up through the smoke. The
library building, adjoining the main
structure on the north and containing
10000 volumes. was saved by active
work on the part of. the flremen.
The burned building was in the form
of quadrangle, all Of brick. Facing
the street was q four story structure
with about 150 feet frontage. in the
basement was the large dining hall.
Extending to the eastward from the
building were two wings about $50
feet deep and four stories high.
These sections Of the building were
occupied for dormitory purposes, the
first floor of the front being devoted
to the chapel, reception and music
rooms and offices. Across the rear of
the right angle formed by these three
sections Of the building was a three
story structure. the first story Of which
contained the engine rooms, electric
plant, workshops. ETC., and the rest
OF the building was occupied by the
gymnasium, laundry and store rooms.
1t is supposed that the fire
ORIGINATED IN THE LAUNDRY
from an oyerheated steam pipe, as no
one had been In the laundry during
the day, nor had there been a fire
there. The building and its contents
were insured for Sl54,000.
A. l.. WilnstOn, Of Northampton,
treasurer of the institution, says steps
will be taken toward rebuilding. IN
stead of having one large structure
1t is probable that the modern style
of cottage dorrnitories will be adopt
ed, each cottage costing about $25, 900
to $4,000 and accommodating fifty
students.
new gymnasium will probably be
built somewhat after the plan of the
one at Northf1eld seminary which cost
about $35,000 and there will also have
to be chapel building which may cost
almost any amount up to 500, 0,000
Tonight most OF the students are
scattered about In the houses of the
town people, the hotels and the
churches, while others have gone to
Holyoke, Northampton and other near
by points. At . o'clock tomorrow
morning the faculty and students will
meet in the church to consider plans
for continuing the college work. Large
numbers of the students called on the
president, Mrs. Mead, this evening and
expressed themselves willing to under
go almost any hardship rather than go
to their homes. AS nearly all Of the
apparatus Of the institution was IN
Willistpn and Scientific halls, 1t will be
possible to continue the session after
arrangements are made for lodging the
400 students and members of the fac
lIItv