Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1904-11-25
Roaring Night Flames.
Destroy Great Buildings at the
Staunion Military Academy
Danger to Other Property, by
Shower of WhirIing Fire--L0sses
covarad nv Insurance, Etc,
red hv Insurance., Etc,

the sleeping city was aroused to
sense of impending danger by the con
tinuous tollings of the fire bill and th'
prolonged shrieks of railway locomo
tive. People that rushed to their win
lows saw the glare of fire against The
sky and heard the tramp of hurrying
feet and the clang and CHATTER of the
fire departments; as they headed to.
ward the scene of confagration. Fol
lowing the. tide of humanity we soon
rounded up with the crowd on the
heights where are oeated the Staunton
Military Academy. At a glance the
scene was inspiring and Ominous-
the great five story barracks building
of the Academy was wrapped in roar.
ing flames, that pierced with many
darts the dense clouds of black smoke
whirling upward. In an incredi-
bly, short while the whole of the upper
floors of this building were ablaze and
born by westerly wind quickly ignit-
ed the adjacent barracks, itself large
building of some four stories, with the
two a roaring furnace, the spectacle
presented was great and one that could
be seen for miles around. Thousands
of sparks and firebrands born by the
current OF heat, sent cloud
of smoke whirling out over the
eastern section of the city from
which literally rained a shower
of fire-a beautiful sight but one little
appreciated by the residenters, who
with anxious faces and ready hands
stood guard over their properties.
scarce. a roof in that end of the city,
out on it stood man with bucket in
hand. douching out the shower OF fire
as it fell. At the Academy scene
more exciting was in progress. From
every window and door of the great
buildings came tumbling out, CLOTH
ing, bedding, trunks. furniture, ETC..
while scores of cadets and many citi-
zens helped to hurry the rescued arti-
Giles beyond harms way. This work was
largely assisted by members Of the two
fire companies, when it became appar-
ent that their efforts at fighting the
fire were of no avail. The altitude of
the academy grounds, together with
the added height of the buildings plac-
ID fho laval Of tho
voir, and SO it was that with full
supply of water at hand, there was no
pressure sufficient to send stream in.
to the burning buildings. But for this
both buildings could have been saved
with little or no damage, for the com.
panies were promptly on hand and be-
fore the fire had obtained dangerous
Roadway. A sentry pacing his lonely
beat discovered the first burst of flame
in roof room between the towers, and
at once gave the alarm. Despite the
celeriJy and systematic efforts of the
and officers there we're
some narrow escapes, though no &C.
cidents. Capt. VIM. G.. Kable himself.
venturing too far was overcome and
had to be rescued. In his anxiety to
arouse the sleeping students, he rush.
ed bare footed to the rescue, for this
reason his feet were painfully burned
and in venturing too long in the burn
ing building was overcome by smoke
and heat. When it was seen that The
second barracks building must 60, ev-
cry effort was made to save the furni-
ture and the property of the students,
nearly all of which was fort unat ely
brought out in time. Some thought
that the main academy building was
in danger and much care was taken to
save that, but it was favored by both
wind and distance and was at no time
in serious peril.
Within an hour and quarter from
the first alarm, the fire had done its
work to the ground and the thousands
of spectators who viewed the destruc-
tive sight had turned to leave for their
respective h0mes-the homeless stu
dents alone remained, disconsolate
guards. each over his own small prop.
erty rights.
In a sense the school was paralyzed
by the disaster, and but for the sponta-
neous kindness and hospitality of our
citizens, would have suffered severe
loss. AS it is the cadets have all been
provided with comfortable homes, and
much needed class room facilities have
been secured in the third floor of the
Y. M. G. A. Building. And so it is
that the school promptly resumed the
oven tenor of it's way.
The money loss in property is est.
mated at $13 900, covered by insurance
$1,000 of which is with Hoge & Nc.
Chesney, and the balance with Taylor
s. Perry. Temporary inconvenience
is all that the academy will suffer
since the burned buildings are to be
replaced by better and safer ones, and
that too as soon as such work can bt
done. 1t is greatly to the student I
credit that they stood as man by The
institution in Its adversely, and it i.
| greatly to the credit of the city Of
StauntOn that it SO generously ani
promptly went to their assistance
Such spontaneous flow of hospitality
and practical encouragement we hav,
never before seen so abundantly show
cred upon any public institution.
Southern Railway Winter Schedule.
| Effective November 9th, 1904. South