The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-12-27
Total insurance on Rylaand
Hall and contents. $50.
BeCk's Wisdom Proved.
$4,000

Although consldefabH' pbJeCtloH
was raised to the erection of fire
escapes on the huitding when 1nspec-
tor Beck insisted that they he put UP,
the college authorities now frankly
confess that ii is we'll. the inspector
carried his point Three Of the stu
dents sleeping on the fourth floor of
the wing escaped il their night cloth
ing by this means and thus saved
their lives. These students We're w.
NJ. Hall, Rupert ". Va; George w.
CaWthon, AppematteN. Va; j. \.
George, Washington, y. G All three
are studying for the ministry
Exactly what caused the fire Will
probably never lie known. although
it is generally believed that the flames
owed their origin to fireworks being
sent off in some Of the frat rooms
in The building while the student
mem bers were celebrating Christmas.
The Greek letter societies had four
fraternity halls in the burned wing
and they lost practically all their
furniture and other valuables.
The whole northeast corner of the
main building was in flames when
the fire was first noticed at 42o
o'clock Christmas morning.
Wall Saves Library.
But for a fire walt. which Or. {, II.
R*land, treasurer of the college. had
built in 1850, when the Jeter Memo
ria library and Thomas statuary hall
were constructed az south wings OF
the central building. il Is more than
, likely that this part OF the structure
would have sustained serious damage
from water. IL not from tire.
Being the college librarian, as Welt
as its treasurer, Or Ryland took care
4, la,
tected by the lire wall extending sev-
eral feet above the mansard roof.
II was along the roof that the flames
ate their way rapidly from the north
wing, but they found a barrier in the
stout brick wall. Inspection of the
suoth wing of the building also shows
that practically no water from the
hremen's hose got past this wall.
Dr. Rf3and's office Immediately adj
joins the wall. and, ILke the adjacent
two halls. was afforded ample protee-
! ton.
President BoatWright's new safe
which vent down With the ruins. i.
believed q lie intact somewhere be-
+ low a mass Of rubbish, wh/.h Will moi
+ be disturbed until tho insurance adj
justcrs finally complete their estimates
Raising Funds.
Among the contributions IN thf
student fund. which came in Tuesday
morning to Or. Ryland. was $500 from
Or. and Airs. j, II. Gore, OF Washing
+ ton, D. &. Another contribution 81
! $40 was turned in to Mr.. j. TAYLOR FL
! tyson, president Of the board Of trus-
tees.
The alumni headed by Mr. George
I!ryau. Of Richmond. their president
are busy IN the work of raising con
tributions. MIR. Bryan having started
"A fund with 500. Contributions fol
j the students were taken zip IN mos
If the Baptist churches in Richmont
Sunday.
Looking over the college rulnt
Tuesday afternoon, Building inspeetol
Beck said that the walls We're not dan,
gerous in their present position, nn
less a strong wind prevailed.
ON the east side of the centra
building, heWcYer, the Inspector dis
covered a crack and sag in the wal
lust above the little annex to the cha
pei built to enlarge the pulpit. AS tht
building was locked, he was not ahl,
to inspect the defective wall more
closely, but he Nentured the opinion
that in building the annex the con
tractors had Weakened the foundation
Of the main wall by taking ava,
some of its supports.
Inspector Neck will probably cal
the attention Of the college autheri
ties.to the defect.