New-York tribune., 1912-02-12
GIRLS SEE SCHOOL BURN
rs Pupils Lose Clothes and
Jewels at BriarCliff House.
SICK GIRL CARRIED OUT
Firemen Break Record Racing to
the Miss Knox School, but
Weather Hinders Work.

The Miss Knox School for Girls. wei
known boarding academy on the Pleasant
Vile Road. Briarclif Manor. was totally
DESTROYED by fire last night The twenty
five pupils, who come for the most par
from prominent families in the middl,
West and South, were able TO snatch to
gether only a few OF their belongings be
fore they were forced to leave the build
Ing.
The fire got it's start in a bathroom oil
the third floor OF the building. 1t was
o'clock when the blaze was discovered, an,
il had by that time secured a good start
The girl who made the discovery rar
through the halls crying Fire" and tht
entire school was soon In an uproar.
Most Of the pupils were dressing for din
ner, and without waiting to finish theil
toilets they seized handful Of their valu
ables and. perhaps. favorite gown, and
fed
The building is frame structure. and
so rapid was the progress Of the flames
that none of the girls was able 10 make a
second trip back to her room. As a conse-
quence all Of the pupils reported heavy
losses IN wearing apparel and one or two
behind them. One girl was in the infirmary
when the fire started, and It was neces
sary to carry her out Of the building.
The Fire Department of Briarcliff Manor
arrived twenty minutes after the fire be-
gan. II covered the two miles which in
tervene between the engine house and the
school in fifteen minutes. The oldest mem
Der of the company declared that the time
wsr departmental record
Despite this achievement, the company
was OF every little use when il did arrive
at the scene Of action. The intense cold
greatly handicapped the work OF the fire
fighters. and with only two streams they
were powerless to check the march Of the
flames
The pupils, in spite Of the cold. insisted
on standing and watching the passing OF
the school. Many Of them were without
coats, and they were finally persuaded TO
leave the grounds and go TO Miss Dows
School. a neighboring academy, which Of
fcreh a shelter to the homeless ones.
Chief Of Police Misslnger was one Of the
irst TO reach the building, and In attempt
ing 70 climb to the second floor on ladder
he slipped and fell He was removed 10 his
home, where it was said that his injuries,
although painful, were not dangerous.
The guests Of the Briarcllh Lodge, which
ls about half a mile from the school, were
on the scene soon after the FIRE began, and
were able 10 lend great assistance in re-
moving some OF the valuable furniture with
which the school was equipped.
The building was formerly used by the
State Agricultural School. and later be-
came known as Pocantco Lodge. II was a
three story frame structure, 70 by 70 feet
II was estimated that the damage TO the
building Was about $4,000. but that the loss
in personal property would bring the total
we'll above 5000 Miss Knox. for whom
the school is named. died year ago. and
the school Is at present conducted by Mrs
T. Russell Houghton.
There were in the building, besides the
twenty-five pupils. ten teachers and twenty
servants.
Among tho pupils enrolled in the school
are Miss Christina IIsusen. Miss Helen
Smith and Miss Jennie Smith. OF Detroit
Miss Marguerite Valcom Of Bath ~. Y.
Miss Pauline Watson. OF Flint. Mich; Miss
Elizabeth chapen. OF Geneseo. y. Y: Miss
Katherine Ives, OF Savannah. Ga. and MISS
Mildred Campbell, OF Mount Kisco, n. Y.