Bridgewater State University - Alpha Yearbook (Bridgewater, MA)

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FORE WORD We do not wish to dwell unduly on the many difliculties which all have met this year as a result of the disaster attending our beloved school. However, the Normal Board asks that the reader, when judging this book, bear in mind the irregular year through which we have passed and the resultant obstacles to thorough and complete work such as a compilation as this demands. Although twenty-six Normal Offerings have preceded, we believe that this will be un- usually treasured because of the splendid display of the true Normal spirit during the catastrophe of this year. Without the least dis- couragement all continued their work, In the face of difficulties, enthusiasm did not wane-on the contrary, rather it became aug- mented. This inspired the members of the Normal Offering Board to perform their task in a manner befitting the- high standards set before them. Whether or not we have succeeded in our efforts, we know that you will always cherish loving memories of dear old Normal, and we hope that this, the twenty-seventh publication of the Normal' offering will be an esteemed reminder of those associa- tions.

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NORMAL OFFERING 11 The Great Fire .iliill-Q On Wednesday morning, December 10, 1924, the night watch- man, while making his last round, discovered fire behind the ceiling of the old gymnasium on the basement floor of the main building. He immediately gave the alarm on the steam whistle of the school, at the same time sending one of the boiler tenders to pull the pub- lic fire alarm. As the fire was very difficult to reach with hose streams, it soon spread out of control, and, breaking through the open stairway, went quickly to the roof. In a short time a consider- able part of the building was a seething mass of flames. When the Chief of the Bridgewater Fire Department arrived he saw that the situation was beyond the capacity of his depart- ment and he summoned help from the neighboring cities and towns. The intense heat from the burning of the scho-ol building eventually broke the windows in Tillinghast Hall, allowing the interior to be- come ignited, and that building was doomed in spite of the heroic efforts of the firemen. From Tillinghast the flames communicated to the Cottage , and, as that was a wooden building, it was soon consumed. The administration building was nearest to the burning structure and was subjected to an intense heat. Three powerful streams were directed on this building, and the fact that the build- ing is now standing is a monument to the courage and valor of the firemen. One of the striking features of the fire was the manner inwhich the students in the dormitories marched calmly to- safety, and, when it was seen that there was time, returned for their valuables under the direction of the dean of women, Miss Elizabeth S. Pope, assisted by others of the faculty and student body. There was not the slightest trace of excitement, every one attended to her own busi- ness as calmly as though it were a daily occurrence. The immediate cause of the fire is merely conjectured, but it is probable that rats and mice were respo-nsible for it. The heating ducts keep the concealed places warm at this time of year and make them good places for rodents. Matches may have been taken in