The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1909-08-31
INGERSOLL---SCHOOL BOOKS AND SUPPLIES
OLD sBOUcHT o oR TAI IN

theories, such as cigar or cigarette
stubs, bad electric wires and boys
who did not want TO go 90 school,
have been advanced. fbut all are
merely theories. No real evidence has
come to support any of them. Inspec-
tioa of every room at nine O'Clock
last night failed to discover any trace
of fire. if il was smouldering at that
time.
Lea Hall was this summer renod-
eled for strictly academic work. All
the old sleeping rooms had been clear
ed out and the entire building con-
ed out and the entire building con-
etc Three thousand dollars was put
in this work. A new chemical labora-
tory had been installed. This labora-
tory and the Institute library were
the principal items of loss outside
the building itself. all else having been
1roved out. except the barber chair
and chattels of Johnnie Dufo. These
chattels were saved by being tossed
from an upstairs window.
The destroyed building was con-
siructed in the years 1897 and 1898.
being finished early in the summer of
1898. School was opened there that
fall. IL was then the sole building on
the grounds and was used for every
department Gradually the Institute
has grown until every depart1n ent
would have had its own building this
year While the old building was a
venerable landmark. il must be said
that il was out of keeping with the
general plan upon which the institu-
tion is now being built. In its place
will go up a larger. better structure
and one in harmony with the newer
parts of the Institute.
Saved from the fire by being late in
installation were consignment OF
new furniture, ordered at cost of
$500. to be put in this week, and the
new furnace, which was ready to be
installed before the opening next
Monday.
The members of the Board of Reg
ents. who are in town. met with Col
J. w Wilson this morning and ii
was decided to make plans to build
a new Lea Hall al once. I. II. Rapp
of Trinidad. the ARCHITECT, who has
had plans for new academic build
| ing ready for some time. was tele
| graphed to come at once and briIig
| the plans. If possible. the contraci
FOR the new building will be let with
| in a week and will ibe made to reao
| that the building will be completed
| BY December I. next. Meanwhile, thi
| gymnasium and officers quarters viii
/ De converted into temporary clas:
! rooms and the fall session will opeI
a. though nothing had ever occurr
ed While the insurance will not near
ly pay for new building. ii II
| thought that territorial funds can b.
| secured in time to make the last pay
nent on the new building.
Huey Thackery. a fireman, wa
Knocked senseless by being hit witt
the end of a hose. which came I'M
coupled. He returned to his work fight
ing fire, however. when he regaine
consciousness, declaring he was no
hurt.
Chief Whiteman fell among the no
bricks of the fallen wall and woul
have roasted alive If he had not bee
rescued 10y other firemen. His pars
ly zed arm. injured several days ag
when knocked off the fire wagon wit
green apple. prevented him gettin
up unassisted.
Col. J. w. Wilson, of the Institute
took care of the firemen nicely. II
and his assistants relieved the fir,
men when they were tired. gave a
of them breakfast, and housed an
fed the fire horses.
The explosion of chemicals in th
laboratory caused some to think fir
arms were being exploded in I'll
burning lbuihing.
Lea Hall was named for the ai
Capt. Joseph c. Lea, who did SO muc
for the institute in the early days I
its life.