Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-09-28

Hotels and Churches.
South Hadley, Mass, September 81
Mt. Holyoke College. the pioneer insti-
tltion for the higher education Of wo-
man, received a severe blow tAis after
nom in the burning Of the main build
ing with a probable loss of over $150,OOO.
The buildings have cost over 100000,
and could no, be replaced to-day for less
than 100000.
Fortunately none of the four hundred
students or faculty were injured, there
being ample time for their escape with
part OF their personal effects.
The fire was first discovered in the
laundry, in the gymnasium wing, about
1870 o'clock. The college fire appara,-
us was put to work, bu. !, was soon seen
that they could no, control the fire, and
! help was sent for from South Haley
Falls and Holyoke. Fire apparatus was
sent from these places and a steamer
and hose wagon were sent, but owing
10 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 thence
into the large building fronting on the
freet. At the same time it burned
through the gymnasium into the nort1
wing, and at 7:30 the entire structure
was a mass of flames. About or lock
the walls began to topple over AID an
hour later all that remained OF the
structure was sections of the wall loom
ing up through the smoke.
The library building, adjoining tho
main structure on ne north and contain
ing sixteen thousand volumes. was
SAVED BY ACTIVE WORK
on the part of the fremen.
The burned building was in the form
of quadrangle, all of brick. Facing
The street was a four-stOry structure
with about one hundred and fifty feet
frontage, and in the basement was
the large dining hall. Extending
to the eastward from the building were
Two wings about enc hundred and fifty
feet deep and four stories high.
These three 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 rectangle formed by these tlree see
! tions Of the building was a three-story
structure, The first Story of which con-
tanned the eISine room, electric light
plant, workshops, etc, and Che rest of
the building was occupied by the gym
nasium, laundry and store rooms.
i is supposed mat the fre
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 in
sured for $i54000.
A. l.. Wilson, of Northampton.
treasurer Of the institution. says that
steps viii be taken towards rebuilding.
Instead of having one large structure
it is probable thai tae modern style of
cottage d0rmi,0ries Will be ~10pted. each
cottage costing about $4,000 10 $4,000
and accommodating fifty students.
A new gymnasium will probably be
built somewhat after IN plan of the
one at Mortified seminary, which coso
about $4,000, and there win a.so have
to be1 chapel building. which may COS:
almost any amount upto 100000.
Tonight mOsi o. the students arc
scattered about in the houses e. tha
town people, the hoels and the
churches. while others have gone 20
Holyoke, Northampton and other near
by points. A O'Clock tomorrow
morning the faculty and stud MS viii
meet in the church 10 consider plans for
continuing
THE COLLEGE WORK.
Large numbers Of the students called
on the president, Mrs. Mead. this even
ing, and express themselves as will
ing to undergo almost any hardship
rather than 20 TO their homes. As nolr-
ly all of the apparatus Of the institution
was in Williston and Sc en- Life halls, IL
viii be possible to continue these ses-
sions after arrang ments are made for
lodging the 400 students and members
Of tho facu1t;oe