The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-03-06


loss was roughly estimated yesterday
at 81 900 on the building, and $1,000 on
the contents Many Of the students,
Of whom sixty were lodged in the dor
mtory, were unable, owing to the rapid
spread of the flames, to save their
trunks.
The fire was first discovered about 2
p. m. by Hans Mackyol, a student, VINO
saw smoke issuing from the cupola of
the building Nackyol notified Steward
w. Neumapn, who was in the basement
at the time, and the steward ran up
stairs to find that the flames had
spread to the third story. With the
assistance of Prof. Arndt he attempt
ed to extinguish the flames. and Prof.
Buenger, director Of the institution,
who appeared ON the scene, was badly
burned about the hands in trying to
tear off some of the burning Walnscot-
ing. Mrs. Buenger, in the meantime,
telephoned for the fire department,
which made a ready response. Ch1ef
Cook was on the scene personally ana
under his diree@sDn a line Of pipe was
laid to Griggs and Dayton avenue, the
nearest hydrant The laying OF 2,00U
feet Of hose necessarily consumed val
liable time, and before the first stream
was turned on the burning building
it was apparent that nothing could be
accomplished beyond preventing the
spread Of the flames to the other build
ings.
RESIDENCE WAS SINGED.
The roof of the residence of Director
Buenger, adjoining the dormltory'
caught fire from the sparks and for
q time. with the high wind sweeping
over the prairie, it was thought that
this structure, too, would go. All the
BELONGINGS of the members Of the facul-
ty and the furniture were moved out
into the yard and valuable manuscripts
and books were deposited in the snow
AS the only convenient place OF safety.
The residence was saved by hard work
on the part of the 1remen, who worked
nearly all Of the afternoon before the
flames were finally gotten under con-
troll
The burned structure was one Of the
buildings Of the old state reform school,
which was purchased by the Evangel1-
cal Lutheran Synod in 1894, from the
state, for $4,000, and has all been
paid for. The purchase was for the
use of Concordia college, which was
started by the synod in the fall Of 1893,
in the old Briggs hospital building on
Agate street. 1t required but little
renting to make the buildings suitable
LOT the H6GuS VI elC SOiiSSO, "AiSAA w ~
removed to the Kittsondale location
Immediately after the purchase.
It believe that the fire originated
from an over-heated chimney and
started in the cupola,'' said Director
Buenger yesterday. 1--WE only used the
building as a dormitory and refectory
and luckily the fire was in the da!
time Nearly all of our sixty-five pu-
pills were domiciled there. When
~,
our control I had the department sum-
moned by telephone. The response was
as quick as If we had been uptown
somewhere The men worked under
the direction Of the chief and per
formed marvels. They were hampered
though by the lack of water. I should
say that 1t was necessary for them tt
go two thirds of mile to get water
For a time we thought my residence
would go, and moved our things out
but fortunately we escaped. Many Of
the students in the dormitory lost theil
bedding and trunks. 1 believe thai
only a few saved anything except the
clothes they had on. The building was
so old that 1t burned like finder after
the fire got into the walls.
1--WE have provided accommodations
for the homeless students, and do moi
think the fire will cause any Interrupt
ton In our StuQleS. expect CndC WE
shall rebuild the dormitory, and tele-
graphed today to the officers of the
synod, at Cleveland, o. We shall prob
ably hear from them soon. / think the
loss will be from $4,000 to $1,000 on the
building, and not to exceed $1,000 or
the contents. We were not insured"
The other members of the faculty
Profs. Jurgensen, Arndt Berg and Me
berschutz, have already been at work
preparing future quarters for the stu
dents, In order that the course of study
may be resumed.
WAS THIRTY TWO YEARS OLD.
The burned structure was built IL
1867 for a state reform school, and thirty
acres Of land at Kittsondale were pur.
chased Jointly for the institution by
the city and state. The price paid orig.
inally was $4,000. The institution was
opened for the reception of delinuuenr
children on Jan. 1, 1868. Up to the yea,
1889 the state had expended on build
ings, furnishing and water supply the
sum Of $95,545. An addition of thirty.
three acres was made to the origina
purchase in 1870
The great value of the property. from
its being incorporated into the CITY lin
it's, the crowded. condition Of the schoo
and the necessity for other building,
caused the removal Of the school in 1888
to Red Wing.
The board Of managers at that tim,