The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-09-28
MT. HoLYoxE COLLEGE BURNED.
Four Hundred Women student. Escape
without Injury.

SOUTH lladley, Mass, Sept. 27.-Mt
llOlyoke College, the pioneer institution
for tho higher education Of women, re-
Celyed severe blow this afternoon In
tho burning OF tho main building with u
probable Joss or over $l50,0O0. The
buildings have cost over 100000, md
could not be replaced to-day for less
than 100000.
Fortunately nons OF the 400 students
or faculty were injured, there being
ample ting for their escape with part OF
their personal effects.
The fire was first discovered In tho
laundry, In the gymnasium wing, about
i:3O o'clock. The college fire apparatus
was put to work, but II was soon seen
that they could not control the fire and
help was sent for from South Hadley
Falls and 1iolyoke. Fire apparatus was
sent from these places and Il steamer
ana hose wagon was sent. but owing 10
the distance and delays were too late to
be effective.
The fire slowly worked through the
doorwaya IN tho fire wall. then Into the
south wing OF the building and thence
into the large building fronting on the
street. At the same time II burned
through thc gymnasium into the north
wing and at 7:30 the entire structure
was a mass Of flames. About s o'clock
the walls began to topple over and an
hour later all TINT remained of the
structure were sections OF tho wall
looming up through the smoke.
The library building, adjoining the
main structure on the north and con-
tanning 10000 volumes was saved by
active work on the part OF the firemen.
The burning building was In the form
OF quadrangle, all OF brick. Facing
the street was n fOur-stOry structure
with about $50 feet frontage. In the
basement wn5 the large dining hall. Ex-
tending 10 the eastward from the build
ing were two wings about $50 feet deep
and four stories high.
These three Eections of the building
We're occupied for dormitory purposes,
the first floor Of the front being devoted
to the chapel,receptlon and music rooms
and Offices. Across the rear OF the rect
angular formed by these three sections
of the building was q three story Struc-
ture. the first story OF which contained
the engine room, electric plant. work.
shops, etc. and the rest OF the building
was occupied by the gymnasium, laun-
dry and store rooms.
II Ia supposed that the fire originated
In the laundry from an ov-rheated
steam pipe, as no one had been In the
laundry during the day. nor had there
been fire there. The building and Its
contents were insured for 1854, 900.
4, l.. WIlliSton, OF Northampton,
treasurer OF the institution. says steps
will be taken toward rebuilding. In
stead OF having one large structure, It
Is probable that the modern style OF
cottage dormitories will be adopted, each
cottage costing about $4,000 to $4,000
and accommodating fifty students
a new gymnasium will probably. be
built somewhat after the plan Of the
one At NOrthiield seminary, which cost
about $4,000 and there will also have TO
be a chapel building. which may cost
almost any amount up 10 100000.
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 Iiolyoke,
Northampton and other nearby 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 their
willingness to undergo almost any hard
ship rather than go to their homes. As
nearly all Of the apparatus or the insti-
tuition was In WIlliston and scientific
halls. Il will be possible to continue
these sessions after arrangements are
mad- for lodging the 400 students and
members OF the facultise