The age-herald., 1899-03-24
BESSEMER HAS
 DISASTROUS FIRE Montezuma University Building Destroyed by Flames. TIE INSURANCE WAS SMALL The Structure was Beautiful One and in the Boom Days was The
 Pride of the Marvel
 City.
THE INSURANCE WAS SNAIL |

Bessemer, March 23.-Cspecial )-Burned to the ground in forty-fve minutes!
 Such was the fate that befell the Monte- zuma university building this morning. At about o'clock smoke was seen pouring from the roof at the north end of the build- ing. Some negroes gave the alarm, but it was see.l al once that the fire had already gained such headway that it would be i'm. possible to extinguisn it.
 An alarm was imme liately turned in, but the fire department was powerless against the influence of fire and wind upon the frame structure.
 - The fire caught from a stove pipe in the primary department. Fortunately this is in the end of the building farthest from that occupied by the family and most of the boarding pupils. This enabled them to save most of their personal effects and the greater part of he furniture downstairs. All that upstairs with the exception of one suit, was lost. Both the piano and organ were saved.
 The teachers and students showed great presence of mind, considering the sudden ness of the alarm and the rapidity with which. the flames spread Every one es- capped from the building uninjured. School twas in' at the time and classes were at recitation.
 The fire attracted an enormous crowd, and many willing hands assisted in saving the furniture and other effects. Though the nearest house was half a block distant a number of houses in the neighborhood were endangered from flying cinders. The nearest, the residence of Wm. H. H. Jud- son, would have burned had it not been for prompt and pbefsisffaafnft work.
 The university was the property of the Bessemer Land and Improvement com pany and was erected twelve years ago by a company of which Wm. H. H. Judson was the president. It cost about s25, 900, and was insured for s, 900 in the Queen and North American Insurance companies. The furniture destroyed was the property of pr. J. A. B. Lovett, president of the universi- ty, and was valued at about $3,000. It was insured in the Queen and Continental com- panies for S1,6OO. pr. J. M. LoVett, who resided at the university, carried $250 on his furniture, part of which was saved.
 The homes of Bessemer have been thrown open to the boarding pupils, of whom there were about twenty, and to the teachers and Professor Lovett's family. The great est regret Is expressed here at the loss of the building, and at Professor Lovett's loss.
 The building was a beautiful structure, with frontage of 200 feet, and running back about 190 feet. It has steam heating apparatus which cost $2,0O0. It was pie turesquely situated on an elevated position, and all of Bessemer felt pride in the Nontezuma. The building was originally the Mexican headquarters at the New Or leans exposition, where it was greatly ad- mired and the scene of many brilliant and fashionable gatherings of the elite of the Crescent City. It was torn down and brought to Bessemer, where it was enlarg- ed into the structure which was burned to- day. It was completed in the fall of 1887, when 1t was leased by Mike Clifford of Birmingham, who equipped 1t elegantly and made of 1t one of the most popular hos telries in the state. In those days 1t was the scene of many brilliant gathering For years on and off the building was used as hotel
 About four years ago 1t was leased by Professor J. A. B. Lovett, one of the most distinguished and well known educators in the state. who had built up a university which bid fair to soon rival any in the south.
 The fire came as great blow to Presi- dent Lovett, and to all of Bessemer. Most of tho boarding pupils will return to their homes tomorrow. Professor Lovett's plans are uncertain at the present time, but it is earnestly hoped here that he will at an early date find suitable quarters for the university in this neighborhood, and con- tinue his excellent work