Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-02-21
M|DD|ES FIGHT FIRE
Mcdowell Hall, St. Johns Col.
lege, Destroyed.
HISTORIC STRUCTURE GONE
Relics of Old King William and
Glass Shields Burn.
TO BE REBUILT AT ONCE
Structure Built of Bricks From Eng
land-Corner Stone Laid by
George Washington.
HISTORIC STRUCTURE GONE
TO BE REBUILT AT ONCE

ANNAPOLIS. Md, February 2o.-Fir'
this afternoon Quilted historic old Nc
Dowell Hall, the central building of thu
group composing st. Johns College. ane
about which cluster many of the mos,
revered traditions of that ancient seat Of
learning.
While the interior was completely
destroyed, the massive walls, three fee,
thick and built of bricks brought from
England, withstood the flames and will
be used in the reconstruction Of the
building.
The loss is estimated by officials of the
college at $4,000. The insurance is
given as 5000.
The origin of the fire has not been de-
termined. 1t is thought it may properly
be charged to crossed electric wires.
When the flames were first noticed they
were eating their way through the ROOT
at the base of the cupola. Rapid progress
of the fire thereafter leads to the belief
that it had been burning for some time
before discovered.
That it was not noticed before 1t had
made such Roadway was due to the fac,
that many students are on leave in con-
nection with Washingtons birthday holl-
day next Monday.
To Be Rebuilt at Once.
President Fell announced this evening
that the work of reconstruction will be
commenced as quickly as possible and
that it is expected the building will again
foa- nv bo inns no
sessions begin next fall.
AS soon as the fact of the fire became
known at the Naval Academy the officers
of that institution rushed midshtpmen
marines and fire fighting apparatus to
the scene. To this is in large measure
due to the confirming of the fire to Nc
DoWell Hall.
1t is understood that the only loss in
connection with the fire that may be
looked upon as irreparable is that OF
ancient records of King Williams Col
lege, once located in the burned building.
Mcdowell Hall was one OF the Oldest
buildings in Annapolis, being at one time
the main building of the old King Will
liam College. 1t was built in 1874 OF
English brick and was of heavy construc-
ton 1t contained most of the class
rooms the chapel and executive offices OF
the institution and most OF the fraternal
rooms.
One of the losses most regretted is the
many class shields which decorated the
college chapel, and accommodating since
1869.
Middies Give Aid.
When the alarm was sounded the Naval
Academy midshipmen were at mess.
Capt. Badger commandant of the Naval
Academy, sounded the fire call and hur-
red the brigade Of midshipmen to the
scene.
At the same time two companies were
ordered to the scene on the double quick
They were thrown around the building in
Gordon and kept back the crowds that had
focked to the fire. With their powerful
fire apparatus the midshipmen did eff
fective work In subduing the blaze and
preventing its spread.
Practically everybody in Annapolis was
on the st. Johns College campus An
napolis has always held it's old buildings
III great reverence.
Many were the expressions of regret
that old Mcdowell Hall, whose corner
stone was laid by George Washington
and William Paca. and was one of the
most historic in the city should be de-
stroyed. Some older people among the
spectators were affected to tears by the
spectacle.