The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1911-01-05
ESTIMATED Loss 100000
Original Building OF Trinity College
Was Burned to Ground in One
OF the Wors, Fires in the
History Of Durham.
Origin Unknown.

the NdtNiuSton Duht buhuiub ~"
entirely destroyed Wednesday morn
ing by fire. which is supposed to have
originated In the Office. The loss Is
100000.
Famed by high wind. the flames
which were discovered by students
occupying the building. quickly
spread 10 all parts OF the building
and many narrow escapes were made
by the 40 students who arrived here
Tuesday for the reopening OF the
college. The most narrow escape
was that OF Lee johnson. of Apex,
who occupied the room just above
the Office and who was awakened 10
ind his bed on fire. Many other
students were compelled TO leave the
building In their night clothes. Only
few managed to save their belong
ings and trunks anu suit cases were
scattered over the campus. where
they had been dragged from the
burning building.
Fire In Detail.
In the most spectacular fre seen In
this city in years the Washington Duke
building. the Oldest structure OF the
academic plant was totally destroyed
al Trinity college early "Wednesday.
The alarm was turned in by Mr.. III. X.
Hunter OF the senior class who was
sleeping In his room on the second
floor OF the burning building. The
blaze was first seen AZ $50 IN the
morning when the flames were seen
bursting from the third floor vim
dows and licking the slate roof. A
fierce north wind was blowing and the
building within a few minutes after
the Are department arrived on the
scene was a mass OF seething flames.
The building was the oldest Of the
Trinity group having been the nrsl
building erected in 1898 when the col
Iege was removed from Randolph
county to this city Il vas a beautiful
three story structure lofty tower O
which was visible from almost ever,
mart Of the city. II contained the exc
cutlve and administrative offices and
many OF the academic class rooms OF
the iirst and second floors. besides al
fordlng dormitory accommodation
for about 60 students on the thirs
floor. Most OF the inmates OF tn
building returned on the early morn
ing trains Just in time to see theil
habltations so up In smoke. SOM
20 boys had arrived earlier IN tn
evening and were asleep In the build
ing when the fire was discovered Tn
alarm was rapidly spread through tn
Railways and most Of the students ha'
ample time to escape from the burning
structure. although several had to re
sort 10 the Ere escapes 20 reach safe
~. A few succeeded IN th-owinl
their trunks through the windows AM
In saving a few articles OF wearing
apparel and books. Most OF the boys
however. escaped only with a It'll
clothes gathered together In haste
their books and belongings being con
sumed by the Ere. OF these the great
est sufferer. perhaps was Mr.. Hun
ter. who unable 70 unlock his roou
door which had caught fast. climbe
over the transom. and ran 10 the near
eat Gre box several blocks distant
clad only IN trousers and undershi-'
and turned in the alarm. When b
returned the IRE had gained sue
Roadway that Is was impossible :
make ones way back into the build
Ing. In addition 20 all OF his person
al effects. consisting Of books. clothes
and bedding. he lost ALSO fifty dol
lars IN bills which he had brough
back with him from home. Sewers
Of the law students roomlng In IN
building lost valuable collections {
Law books. and other personal effectl
among these being Mr.. X. G. Goldstei
aud Mr.. !. N. Templeton. Mr. y.
Hardlson escaped with just enough
cover his body. all Of his belonging
becoming a total loss.
The destroyed building was cree
ed by Mr.. G. II. Norton is years af
at a cost OF some $4,000. Togeth'
with subsequent improvements N
building represented a value OF aboI
100000. about $4,000 OF which
covered by insurance. u Will
recalled that the contract for n
tearing down Of this building WI
LET some weeks ago. II was to haN
come down next summer 10 mai
room for the replica Of the new a.
minlstration building which IL 10 !
built on the site Il occupied. AZ a
end Of the fall term In December
was announced BY the Office that VII
the beginning Of the year all class
held the past year IN the washln
ton Duke building would be tran
ferrcd TO the new academic buildIn
An unavoidable delay. however. pr
vented the removal, and II was pIa
ned 20 hold classes In the old bull
ing for a week or two longer aft
which time II was TO have been tur
cd Into a dormiiory for the use
the students until June when II VI
10 have been torn down 20 NAL
room for the new building. Ever
thing was In readiness for the I
aufut.ff..ft ~ .faaona thta ,,.aeal.s oh.