Daily Kennebec journal., 1900-05-25
FIRE AT HALLOWELL.
ErSkine Hall of the Industrial
School Destroyed.
Fire Originates in Laundry and Sweeps
Through Whole Building.
Part Of Furnishings Savec-Loss, Over
Sl4,OOO-No Insurance.

Hallowell, Me, May o4.-(SbeciaD.-
Fire, this afternoon. destroyed Erskine
hall, one of the three large brick build
ings which constitute the Maine Indus
trial School. The fire was discovered
at 3.15, and within half an hour was
beyond hope Of control. The loss will
be total. and it is understood that there
is no insurance. it being one of the
State bunildings.
Miss Ella Smith, the matron of Frs
kline hall, was seen by the journal re-
porter during the progress of the fire
ana from her the following was
learned:
The ironing room or laundry adjoinS
the main building on the northeast.
1t is Il two-Story wooden structure and
was built after the brick building was
erected. Miss Smith states that the
tire was discovered at 3.1j o'clock. At
that time 4 meat pcddlcr called at the
rear door. which is near the laundry
addition ana as his call was announced
he glanced into the latter building and
saw a fire burning briskly near the
stove. The door from the building
proper to the laundry was locked, but
an entrance was soon effected. As
soon as the size and possibilities Of the
fire We're apparent Miss Smith called
up HalIowell central by telephone and
asked them to give an alarm for Ers-
kline hall This was done Miss Smith
then notified the superintendent. Miss
Ieavitt. and help was summoned.
The fire spread 50 rapidly that il
was useless to think Of attempting t.
eXtinguish it with the facilities at
hand. and all efforts We're directed to
the removing Of the furniture A large
upright piano was among the first artI-
rIcs Of furniture to be removed. and
it was matter Of much qualification
that it was uninjured. Much Of the
chamber furniture was removed. but
the rooms We're not entirely cleared
Miss Mabel Palmer lost valuable arti-
cIes. including sum of money.
Inside Of - minutes from the dis
covery Of the fire the laundry was one
mass Of flames ana the fire had al
ready found its way to the brick build
n-. Considering that the department
hld to be- called from the city and
that four or six horses We're necessary
to haul the steamer % the grounds.
over the Stcepcst part III Winthrop
hill. the water was applied iH good sea-
SON. The buildings are higher even
than the reservoir. sI th1t the water
works are Of no avail there. The en-
gine carried two streams To the build
ing. where Us We're put in ID double
the fighting capacity. The engine
pumped at the reservoir from the time
the alarm was given until about p
over four hours time.
The brick building was guttcd, and
it is doubtful if the brick walls are Of
value as material for a new building.
The wind blew strongly from the east
and prevented damage to other build
ings by flying shingles, etc.
The building was erected. about 10
years ago, when Major +. Rowcll was
superintendent. Mr.. Rowell when in
terviewed by the Journal. stated that
it was a well and substantially built
edifre which cost $4,000 to build. Be
fore being transferred to State con
troll all Of the buildings were kept well
insured.
one Of the trustees. when interview
"a. was unable to state any plans for
the future. The girls are to pass the
summer in the HalluWen Classical
building. corner Warren and Central
streets. but as the building is unfit for
occupancy in colder weather. some
provision will Of necessity have to be
mad. for their welfare.
1t is said that the State has no funds
which are available To replace tn"
building but the need is 50 pressing it is
pogsIhlc that the Governor and C"un-
Gil will be able to satisfactorily decide
relative to ways ana means.