Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1921-01-07
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT the SEMINARY,

quenccS of a disastrous fire in the
SSeminary here. EARLY Monday
Sin0rnlng the large thrce-story Dor
Smltory Building of between 80 and
lOO rooms erected back in the
9Os, was discovered to be on fire
from cause not yet aSccrtaincd,
ana which seems to be a puzzle to
all mo there are many theories. Be
The cause what it may the fact is
that some time before 7 O'clock the
dense volume of smoke making its
way out through the roof made
clear the fact that the building was
afirc tho the flames did not break
through the roof till about seven.
The ringing of bells and the call
of firel fire! soon brought the fire
fighters to the grounds and great
crowd of people eager to see and to
render such help as they could.
Water from the main was soon play
ing on the building but it was an
parent it could do little, if any good
tor by that time the flames starting
III the South end had spread ovnr
the two upper floors making the
removal OF the personal effects of
students and some of the teachers
utterly impossible. The Ronccvertc
Fire Company, under Management
of Homer Groves, kindly responded
but like our own Company, found
conditions wholly beyond control.
The flames spread with great ra-
pldlty and in an incredibly short
from the discovery of the fire, the
walls were falling and the Dormi-
tory was in ashes.
Fortunately no lives were lost.
The School was closed for the holi-
days and nearly all thc girls were
at home tho expected back the next
day. However, Miss Katherine
Marshall, Of Chicago, who remain
ed here for the holidays and had
with her as guest her friend, Miss
Esther Bllis-the two occupying a
room. on the third floor in the
South end. awoke early in the morn
ing to find herself and friend shut
in by the heat and smoke. Greatly
alarmed, of course, and not know
ing what else to do they raised the
window and, but slightly clad, leap
ed together to the ground below.
Both were badly Jared and for a
day Or two it was feared that Miss
Bills was Injured internally. They
were taken to the Community House
where they are receiving every
=, possible attention and both are now
recovering. 1t turned out that Miss
Marshall was only severely Jared
by the fall and that Miss Bills suf-
fcred similarly and also got wrist
broken. Miss Marshall's mother ar
rived from Chicago Wednesday
and is now with the young ladies
and greatly pleased with the way
they are CARED for.
Most of the personal property on
the first floor and some 'frem the
second was gotten out and the kitch
en- furniture, and much from the
store-rooms were saved tho some
what injured in the handling.
Miss Franklin, one of the teach
crs, had close call cropping her
way out through dense, hot smoke.
She closed her eyes and simply felt
her way out. Her hair was singed
and her wrist burnt by bracelet
which became heated. She lost her
entire wardrobe and much else that
she highly valued. Miss Brownlec,
another teacher, lost part of her
wardrobe and Mrs. Carter suffered
similar, loss. Nothing could be
gotten from the third floor.
The-me and boys of the Town
worked hard in taking from the
building everything they could
reach but the rapid spread of the
flames gave them but little time to
work in. Many think that special
mention should be made of the fine
work done by Mat Miller, and a
couple of other colored men, who
III addition to getting out many
valuable articles furniture, actual
~ brought out one of the safes, not
a very large one, handling il un-
aided. Mat is powerful man and
generously and heroically put his
strength and vigor to the test in
his effort to beat the fire.
The Board had $4,000 of insur-
ance on this building and contents
Inc balance Of the $4,000 of insur-
ance carried being on Carnegie
ltaii and The brick residence on The
grounds.
Already plans for the restoration
=" me building or the erection of
q pelter one are. under considera-
,'oh, ana. as we understand, the
ruDlic will be asked TO contribute.
me effort is one which men Of
Jrecnbricr. nhlc IN o..;s, sb,,,I,l