The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-03-23
Disastrous Fire at HARRISON College.

On last Thursday morning about three
O'clock the alarm Of fire was sounded In
the city Of Abbeville, when it was discov-
HARRISON College located near Abbeville
was in flames. The walls Of the building
we're already falling in before persons from
the town could reach the place to render
as~sisstance to the inmates. There were
some thirty or forty colored boys in the
building three of whom were burned to
ashes.
Two or three others suffered painful and
serious injuries in jumping from the So
cond story. The three negro boys who
spsrished In the flames were: Carl Duckett
of Charlotte. N. c., Samuel Jenkins, Of
Carlisle, 8. c., and Edward DuBose,. Of
Lamar, s. c.. The last named vas about
twelve years Of age.
The fire was undoubtedly i~ncendiary as
evidenced by the fact that kerosene was
also poured on the back door Of the Presi-
dents house and 1t too cot on fire. This
was s%xtinguished before any serious dam
age was done.
It SCENE that kerosene had been poured
over practically the entire lower floor Of
the main building, as the fire, when dis
covered, seemed to be burning in all parts
of the bnildidg at the same time. :
MAss MEETING HELD.
The act Of burning this building, reck-
lessly endangering many lives, and actual
ly costing three was severely condemned
xbys the citizsnso Of Abbeville as a whole. Al
large mass meeting was held in the Court
sHonse on the afternoon Of the burning
sS which the following resolutions were
tsdopted: II
Whereas, we, the people Of Abbeville
have learned with profound regret,
':6f the burning Of HARRISON
College, and OF the, attendant IA
Utilities: and whereas, the burning seems to
whereas. we desire to express our sympa-
thy with the Rev. Young, who is at the
bead OF the institution and to put on re-
cord our condemnation OF so foul a deed;
therefore. be 1t
Resolved by the citizens OF, Abbeville, in
mass meeting assembled, That we sym
paihizs with the Rev. Young. In the mis-
~ ikO lLoNo jacO u " Az 49,
stItution, OF which he Is the head;
Resolved, further, That we condemn as
strongly as we can the ~fncendiary burning
ofths College, whether the author Of such
ilawlessness be white or black.
Resolved, further, That we offer our as
sisgtance In ascertaing who is the guilty
party. ,
Resolved, further, That we request our
CITY council to offer a suitable reward Tor
the apprehension aud conviction OF the
guilty party, and that We also petition the
Governor to offer as large a reward as
possible for such apprehension and con-
viction.
Resolved, further, That a committee Of
three be appointed by the chairman OF this
white citizens OF the town to q fund to en-
ploy competent detectives, to hunt down
b criminals n to prosecute the guilty
parties to the fullest extent Of the law, and
that when such funds are raised, the said
committee Immediately secure the ser
vices OF such detectives and employ such
other assistance as they deem necessary,
and that they take such further action as
4 to them seems advisable.
The city council Of the city OF Abbeville
has offered a reward Of one hundred dol
lars for the arrest and conviction OF the
. guilty party or parties, and a committee
has been appointed to request the Cover
nor Of the State to offer a reward OF not
less than one thousand dollars for such ap-
prehension and conviction. The Rev.
Young, president OF the College, attended
the mass meeting of the citizens, and ask
ed that he be given a suitable guard at
night for a short time, until the students
could make arrangement to leave town, as
he was afraid OF future trouble, and a
guard will be stationed on the premises
81 long as it is deemed necessary.