Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-03-23
Risks Life to Save His
Sweetheart's Trunk.
Fire Escapes Recently Provid-
ed Save Many Lives
When Private School at at St. Louis
Is Destroyed by Flames.

St Louis. March 22.-During the fire
which destroyed Forest Park Univer-
sity Saturday. a private school for
young women, Fred Van Barcom, a
student at Washington University, son
of Jacob G. Van Blarcom. president Of
the National Bank of Commerce. risk
ed his life in an effort to take his
sWcethcart's trunk from burning
room.
While the fire was at its height, a
rcd automobile stopped in front Of the
university building. ana young Van
Blarcom sprang out He ran up to a
group of firemen and asked that a lad
der be placed against Il window of the
top floor, which he pointed out There
is trunk in there that | must get
OUT he said. A long ladder was plac-
ed where he indicated, and he ran up.
You must not go in there; it's sure
DEATH" called Il policeman who had
followed him up. Van Blarcom went
in. a thousand persons standing on
the lawn watched him. He was gone
10 minutes. The policeman stood at
the top of the ladder. The smoke roll
cd out so thickIy that he had to croAh
for fresh air.
At last Van Blacom, his face black
with smoke and SCOT. stuck out his
head, paused while he took Il breath IF
fresh air, and then climbed out and
down.
The great crowd, which had given
him up for lost, cheered.
1t was his Sweetheart'S trunk lie
sought When she escaped from her
II, 1, Il
get her trunk He came and tried. but
failed
Les than year ago the building
commissioners attention was called to
the fat that the building was with
Out any means of escape other than the
usual inside StairWaNs He insisted that
outside escapes be built immediately,
Mrs. Anna Sned Cairns pleaded that
outside fire escapes arc responsible for
most Of the escapades Of young ladies
in boarding schools.
Just think" she said, some of tins
girls might use them to elope.'
She also stated that with the escapes
she would require Il special squad of
guards To keep the girls from making
clandestine meetings with their sweet
hearts. and keeping theatcr dates with
the young men without a chaperon.
Girls will be girls. you know, she
said.
This plea did not alter the dictum IF
the commissioner. and after several
court citations two escapes were built.
The building of these escapes did not
materially interfere with the strict
discipline Of the institution, and Mrs
II r.
now that she had complied with the
law.
Forest Park University has an en-
rolInent of 700 Students from all parts
of the country. The building was al
most destroyed, but all persons in the
building escaped in safety.
The three-story building. constructed Of
stonc and wood. was in the western linz
its of the city.
At ITO ncl"ck fire was discovered in
the upper portion Of the south wing. In
stantlv al! those in the building fed for
safety. There was no time for the saving
If belongings Of the young women stu
dents and they lost everything
Tile voting women CROW ded rel! nell
| through the corridors. struggling with
one arother in their efforts to gain the
open air. but none was injured in any
wa. Many were in the dormito,y in the
middle Of the building where the fire
started.
Tie institution was founded as Kirk
wood Seminary, in the suburban village
of Kirkwood. III 1861. bv Mrs. Anna
Sneed Cairns. who on Thursday cclebat-
ed her 9th birthday anniversary.