The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-03
SPECTACULAR FIRE DESTROYS SCHOOL The Florence University for
 Women Burns MARROW ESCAPES President NJ. w. Hatton's Losses Are Nearly 0,000-The Second
 School He Has Lost With
 in Four Years

Florence. March 2.-tspecial)-Ta greatest fire in the history of Florence occurred this morning when the Flor ence University for Women, two miles north of Florence. was completely de- stroyed. The fire started in the third floor in the northeast wing. from an electric wire it Is believed. as the furnace was not running
 It was discovered by Miss Lucy Needham. a teacher. whose room was at some distance from me fire. She was awakened by the smoke at 2:S0 and found the hall filled with smoke.
 She gave the alarm and was the first to start the gallant fight against the flames which was waged for 8 time with the private fire apparatus, but it had gained too much headway and a strong north wind drove the fire back over the building.
 When the city fire company reached the scene the entire east wing was gone and they could do nothing but assist the inmates in saving some of their belongings. A number of girls and teachers dragged their trunks down the stairs and saved their clothes, but many escaped only In their night robes. Miss Needham lost everything, even her purse, in her efforts to arouse the students and save the building. President Hatton worked like a Trojan on the second floor, unaware that the third floor was in flames and thought for time he had conquered the fire. His ankle was badly sprained in his flight down stairs when he finally gave up the hopeless fight
 So fierce was the fire that in less than an hour and a half from the time the alarm was given the flames were dead, as there was nothing left to feed upon The university occupied the highest site about Florence and lit up the city two miles away like daylight. The falling of walls sounded in Florence like the boom of dis tant cannon.
 great crowd quickly collected and the girls and teachers were taken care of, most of the homes of Florence being put at their disposal and everything possible done for their comfort. Next to Presi dent M. W. Hatton the greatest loser was C. W. Best. director of the musical de- partment. MT. Best was spending the night in town and lost all his belongings, including a grand piano, $10oo harp be- longing to Mrs. Best, and many valua- hle manuscripts and household articles. He carried no insurance.
 Only one piano was saved and the loss is estimated at considerably more than s160 GOO. President Hatton carried only $l6,000 insurance on building and fur.ii- ture, which was raced with local agen- cies.
 The narrowest escape was made by Donald White a fireman, who came in contact with live wire on the lawn. He was turned a somersaut, standing on his head and fell across the wire. his rubber coat saving him from electrocution. The wire carried 23Oe volts, and a hog which shortly after came in contact with the wire was instantly killed
 The trustees of the school are busy today trying to arrange new quarters so the school can complete the term. Me- gotiations are on for the Jefferson Hotel building, which is unoccupied. and 1t is probable that lessons will be resumed at once.
 The university was formerly the old Baptist university, built in 1890 by the Florence Educational Land and Devel- opment company, Dr. J. B. Hawthorne, president It was operated for but one year and then closed and stood vacant until 1908, when Mr Hatton and MT. O. w. Anderson bought it and spent many thousand dollars in remodeling and im- movements The school had run less than three years and had enjoyed phenomenal growth and success.
 While MT Hatton was in Florence pre- paring to open this university the school which he had been operating in La Grange, Ga. and which he had expected to furnish the "snews of war while ne was establishing this school, burned in- lcting heavy financial loss upon him.
 MT. Hatton has the hearty sympathy of the people of Florence and every as- sistance in their power is being rendered him.