Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-03-20
The Wellesley College Fire.
Boston Transcript


Few of our higher institutions of
learning that have advanced far
enough to achieve a history have es-
capped the baptism of fire. That is now
the experience of wellesley College.
THE College Beautiful" as it has
been called. There are many hearts
that are saddened by the apparent
calamity that has visited it in the
burning of College Hall. That was the
oldest of the many buildings that con-
stitute the college plant. Its location
upon che of the highest elevations of
those beautiful grounds, its fine archi-
tectural treatment and its large and
dignified proportions gave it command
ing prominence. the chief gem in a
magnificent setting. But it did not de-
pend Upon its physical features alone
for its prominence in the life of the
institution. 1t saw the beginning of
things in the college. 1t was the centre
of student and faculty activities. When
the alumnae spoke of Wellesley it was
College Hall that stood first in their
minds.
Just how much has been lost that
cannot be replaced it is too early to
say. 1t contained many valuable and
in tradition. Doubtless many valuable
records have been lost. Fortunately,
though the fire did its work al q time
when the hundreds of students were
asleep and gave them no time TO save
even personal property, no lives were
lost or serious injury incurred. The
GOODNESS with which they responded to
the alarm and followed the discipline
which had been given by the fire drill,
cannot be too highly commended. 1t
shows that college life is a practical
artidote for hysteria and panic. the
situation was extreme in its sudden
ness and its danger and it could not
have been met with finer courage or
presence OF mind.
We have spoken OF this visitation as
an apparent calamity" Great as is
the loss, and strong as is the shock to
the thousands of alumnae and friends
of the college, we believe that the re-
suit in the next decade will be q finer,
stronger, richer ard more useful We'll
lesley than though it had not passed
through this temporarily painful ex-
perience. When the old seminary at
what is now Mount Holyoke College
burned down there was wide lamenta-
ton, but it was the beginning of larg-
err and better things. The mere fact
that College Hall was the central and
largest of the structures and that 1t
stood for so much of both sentiment
and service in the minds and hearts of
those who had been connected with
the institution will stimulate public
spirit and wise philanthropy and call
attention to it's needs as nothing else
could have done. 1t is not alone a new
building to replace the old one that Is
now called for, but an endowment to
strengthen the teaching force and for
the erection of new domitories so that
In the near future the entire number
of students may be housed upon col
lege grounds.
If present loss does not mean future
gain we shall be much surprised and
shall lose faith in presidents. When
old Dartmouth Hall was destroyed 1t
caused an awakening that made good
the loss in practical sense and much
more with 1t. Wellesley has proved
her worthiness. She has sent forth
host Of noble and highly trained wo-
men who are making happy homes or
filing high and useful stations in So
ciety The college is entitled to gener-
Gus public support and in this time Of
her trial 1t should not be necessary to
even ask It. 1t should flow spontane-
ously from those who have the means
to come to its relief.
Who Pays the Bill?
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