The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-01-22
Especial to News and observer)

Greensboro, N. c., Jan. 2l.-It was
with feeling of absolute terror that
people awakened before light this morn
ing were told that the Normal College
was on fire, and that the dormitory, where
three hundred and fifty girls were known
to be sleeping was in flames. Every one
thought Of them, every heart longed to BE-
present to help to save.
AS crowds hastily left their beds, hur-
rying to the college mile distant, there
was an awful dread of coming horror. No
thought was given the loss of the build
ing, in the ignorance of how its precious
occupants were faring. No street cars
were running at the hour, and those who
reached there were overcome with joy
to find that not soul of all the four
hundred had been burned or dis
abled, but that with wonderful fore
thought on the part of the watchman and
the system Immediately organized by the
college authorities, every soul ws saved,
there not even being panic during the
whole time of rescue.
GIRLS DISPLAY HEROISM.
The nerve and ccoiness displayed by
these young girls was something remark
able, and the concern felt for them by
every man, woman and child in Greens
boro is sufficient assurance of their high
merit. Everybody and everything turned
out and poured out assistance and &C.
ccmmodations, saeling that the best was
not half good enough for them.
to41s ~ 4IxA IL
was thoughtful enough to at once begin
preparations for breakfast for the >wfole
crowd, the street cars rendered free pas
sage, and at nine o'clock every one of the
girls had been comfortably and royalty
fed and cared tor by that and other
hotels in the city which had also responded
in no uncertain tones of hospitality soon
after. The same thing occurred at din
ner, and parents of the students all over
the State need have no fear that their
daughters or wards will suffer d moment
of discomfort.
The college authorities are not at all
ratified, for at the meeting at ten o'clock
everything was being planned out tor
comfortable disposition of the burned out
students. and arrangements were made
to begin the regular exercises Monday
morning, this causing only one days
interruption in college studies.
The fire was discovered in the kitchen
OF the building devoted to dining room.
laundry, boiler room, cold storage AMI
heating plant, destroyed that building
and the large four story brick dormtoiy
near by at five O'Clock this morning. In
the first building were rooms -Jr one hun
dred and fifty girls, and the dormitofy
proper had two hundred young ladies from
all parts of the State. Every soul was
saved without a single accident.
A COOL, SENSIBLE MAN.
The fire was discovered by the watch.
man at O'Clock breaking through the
roof of the kitchen. With rare presence
OF mind, he went up and down the build
ing having the girls awakened and a
corps of assistants put to work at rescue.
before giving a general alarm. By this
means there was no Panic, every lady
preserving wonderful presence of mind
The alarm was sounded at 4:20, and
the fire companies made quick work get
ting there, mile from quarters Il was
impossible TO do more than save the other
buildings
There were several hair breadth escapes
and much excitement among the girls.
tut at no time anything approaching
panic. Two girls in the fourth story who
had been overlooked. were awakened just
rs the flames had begun to eat their
beds. and realizing their situation, they
rushed on their rescuer, knocking him
down, and were just in the act of leapinc
from a window when he pulled them
hack, and carried both to the first land
ing. when an aid succeeded in getting
them safely to the ground
With this exception there was no un-
usual occurrence. A great many trunks
were lost. Every one in seventy-6ye
rooms, containing two each on the lnlrd