The copper era and Morenci leader., 1919-11-21
H|GH SCHOOL AT DUNCAN REDUCED
 ID ASHES
Origin of Fire Remains Mystery; One Theory Is That 1t Was h. cendiary. Blaze Did Not Have It's Inception In Places
 Where Fire Would Be Ex-
 pected To Originate.

Duncan's Union High school build. ing was destroyed by fire on last Saturday morning, only the stark walls standing as a monument to that which was once the pride of the entire valley. How the fire origin ated is a mystery to all.
 The fire was discovered by Luke Buck, who gave the alarm. In a short time many citizens responded but they at once saw the utter ip,- possibility to check the flames. Shortly after the fire was discover ed the roof fell in and the blaze at once spread to all the upper floors and in a few minutes the flames be- gan eating their way through the floors to the rooms below. It was all over in about an hour, and then the flames had completed their work leaving nothing but a pile of glow ing embers within the walls which had once held one of the best schools in the southwest
 Considerable mystery surrounds the cause of the fire. When it was first discovered it appeared to be in the center of the rear portion of the building. This was occupied by the assembly room or auditorium, the ceiling being two stories high. All who were at the scene soon af- ter the discovery of the fire are of this opinion. Therefore, the blaze could hardly have had it's inception in the chemistry room, the boiler room or domestic science ,rocrr these being the only piaces where any possible cause for the fire could have been found The janitor states that there was no fire in the furnace located in the basement after 10 o'clock on Friday morning. Had the fire originated in any of the rooms mentioned the flames would have been noticed in these rooms, but as it was, the chemistry room was dark at the time the blaze was discovered, as was the domestic discovered, as was the domestic science room. This has caused many to believe that the cause was incendiary, although no clues to this effect have been discovered. No theory is advanced as to how the fire could have originated where it was discovered.
 The destruction of the school will occasion a loss of around $5O,O0O or $60,000, partly covered by insurance, there being $23,00O carried
 The insurance will be far too small to rebuild the school and it will be necessary for another bond issue to supply the funds necessary for replacing the building and con- tents.
 Temporary quarters have been secured for the school, the two To- cal churches being secured for the purpose. The buildings have been undergoing some alterations for this purpose and the school sessions were resumed this week in the new quarters. The primary grade of the Grammar school which has been using the Presbyterian church, has been transferred to the local branch county jail. where it is now being conducted in the justice court room.
 On Saturday morning the school board met for the purpose of mak- ing arrangements for conducting the the school in other quarters until such a time when the school could be rebuilt. After looking over all available locations which could be used for the purpose they decided upon the churches, and we are gratified to report, both churches were cheerfully given for this pur- pose.
 The loss of the High school has cast a pail of gloom over the dis trict, but everyone seems to be of the opinion that in due time the dis trict will recover from it's loss.