Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1897-11-27
COLLEGE BOYS TURNED OUT IN THE COLD.
Ferry Hall, Boys Doyneito1y at the Agricultural
College, Burned Tuesday .Nornine.
Loss to the State amounts to AboUt 10000, no
Insurance BEING Carried

Blackened and falling walls amid
smouldering ashes and debris are all that
are lett of Ferry hall, the boys dormi-
tory at the agricultural college and school
Of science.
The flames that wrought such ruin,
and drove the So young men who made
the hall their home out into the cold
9H4ght, many hatiess, shoeless, and al
most naked, were discovered at about
l 30 o'clock Tuesday morning by the
Dunn boys, who are attending college,
and who had a room on the second floor
of Ferry hall, Immediately over the
kitchen. The cracking of the glass in
the windows awakened these boys, heat
from the outside having broken the win
dow to their room. They Immediately
gave the alarm, when it was found that
the rear end OF the building, where the
kitchen, bakery and store room were To-
Gated, was in flames. twas believed at
first that hard work would subdue the
fire, and save the building, but the
strong, east wind quickly famed the
blazes till it was seen the building was
doomed, the fire soon reaching to the
roof, burning out the entire interior OF
the structure with great rapidity. When
at last the boys had seen that their ef-
forts were in vain, and the building
could not be saved, they turned their at
tention to the rescuing OF their personal
effects, but they had waited too long,
and the upper floors were SO filled with
smoke that it was impossible to save
much fro1a,- 4l44s-peTi.sHs rooms, nstemy- sf.
the students losing all they had except
the garment or two they had grabbed
when the first alarm was sounded.
It WAS but few seconds after the first
discovery OF the fire before the whole
city was awakened from its sIunbers by
the doleful clang OF the college bell, soon
augmented by the lively clatter of the
city fire bell, and the entire population
rushed toward college Hill to render
what assistance they might in aiding
the boys and in protecting the other
buildings. The college boys had formed
a brigade, and were making a noble
fight against the fire, forgetting self and
individual effects in their efforts for the
saving OF the building. Although they
Iabored faithfully and coolly the water
supply was not adequate, and when at
last thev had to abandon their efforts it
was too late TO save their own property,
and students stood about the campus In
all degrees OF dishabille. Some had res
cued trunk with its contents, others
suit or a part OF a suit, but all had lost
the most they had in their rooms.
The mechanical engineering building
was at one time in great danger, the
wind covering the roof with sparks and
embers from the burning dormitory, and
it required unceasing efforts to protect
the building.
How the fire originated can only be lett
to theory. Apparently 1T had started IN
the bake oven or store room IN the rear
OF the main structure, and the flames
had then eaten their way through the
rear door of the dormitory, as the rear
stairway was first burned, the fire being
driven i'm from the outside by strong
east wind.
NOTES.
Ferry hall was erected in 1892 at cost
of about $50 900, not including the cost
of furnishing. 1t was an imposing brick
structure of five stories, and 96 boys were
roaming within it's walls, every room
being filed to its utmost. The dining
halls and kitchens of the college board
inc club were located on the first floor.
Previous to the completion OF Stevens
hall in 1895. Ferry hall had been used
for dormitory purposes by both the
Young ladies and gentlemen.
The provisions for protection from fire
have always been considered inadequate,
tho last legislature having been asked to
make an appropriation providing for a.
better water supply. This was refused,
and the consequence was that there was
little water to be had, the pressure not
,.s arnicient for FRO protection