Monmouth College - Ravelings Yearbook (Monmouth, IL)

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The Fire. rnain building ' of Monmouth College was gutted by a fire which started in the garret from a defec- tive flue Before the fire was discovered it had gained great headway and when the firemen got there they found the whole of the roof burning fiercely. In spite of the fact that hundreds of students and citizens were engaged in the work of removing books and furniture djring the progress of the blaze, but one fatality occurred. Orville Dean, a young man who had been employed by the Monmouth Telephone Co., was caught by a falling floor and crushed to death. Just how long the fir? had been bj-ning before it was discovered is not known, the first intimation being the breaking through of the fire into Prof. Bretnall ' s class room in the northwest corner of the third floor. The teacher and the members of his class immediately left the room, and the alarm was spread to the other class rooms. The students filed out quietly, and but few of them reilized there was anything seriously wrong until they were out and looked up to see the roof ablaze. As soon as it was seen that the fire would probably result in the destruction of the building, the students turned their attention to saving as much of furnishings and equipment as possible Much of the furniture was saved, as well as hundreds of volumes of valuable sc entific works and the library of the Eccritean society. Many of the students grew too daring in their e.Torts to save propety, and narrowly escaped serious injury by falling debris, several received minor injuries All of the available fire apparatus of the city was called into service, and the regular firemen, assisted by volunteers, did their best to confine the fire to the top floor but the range of the fire was too wide, and it grad- ually worked down and destroyed the ceiling of the second floor throughout nearly the whole structure and the first, second and third floors of the north wing where the fire started. At one time the fire in the north part was nearly under control when an explosion of chemicals in one of the laboratories spread the fire, and soon it was raging more fiercely than at first. Although affairs are somewhat in chaos the members of the faculty expressed the hope that they would be able to resume classes although the work will be handicapped by the lack of facilities. All of the apparatus in the laboratories was a total loss, which will keep the classes from the practical part of the workfor many weeks. Class rooms will be fixed up temporarily in the auditorium, the gymnasium, the Second United Presby- terian church and probably in the residences of some of the teachers. As to plans for reconstruction nothing definite can be told at this time, but it is the general opinion of mem- bers of the faculty that reconstruction will be started at the earliest possible time The college proper was built in 1862, and was ready for occupation early the following year, being for- mally dedicated in June that year. The original size of the building was 50x80. and contained fifteen rooms In 1876 an addition, which was the north wing, was opened, giving additional space of 54x63 feet. No fur- ther additions have been built, but the interior has several times been remodelled and improved until the building was worth far more than its original cost. That the work of the institution may not be hindered any more than could be avoided, the faculty held a meeting at which plans were made for resuming classes and arranging a scedule. — 12—

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The Day Of The Fire fl USPICIOUS of ihe great events that were to transpire that day. Nov. 14th. 1907 dawned chill and Fn dreary upon our little city It was to witness the destruction of the scene of Monmouth ' s first X fifty years of history with its changing vicissitudes and fortunes. The sun set that night over a scene of charred and blackened ruins, one part of Monmouth College; but its departing rays lit up the chapel where another part assembled in the evening hour, sorrowing but hopeful, sad but thankful for the past and determined for the future; assembled to hear the plans and announcement for the continuation of the work; for was not Monmouth College a spirit, the spirit of service and no more to be destroyed by the raging of the elements than the love in loyal hearts which flowed in on the close of that event- ful day in the form of telegrams, letters, and messages of condolence, hope and sympathy? At nine forty five that morning, the old bell which had rung in and out so many college generations, tolled its own knell; it rang in the last session to be held in the old main building and the halls resounded and grew quiet again with the noise of hurrying boys and girls. And then the flying footsteps — the alarm and the halls again filled with students this time leaving the building never to return; and then the struggle to retain only a few of the things which had proved dear — and then the warning cries, and the shouts and roaring flames and the crowd of faces —inquisitive, anxious, fearful, sorrowful — and then confusion, desolation and night. And only the odor of burned wood and hanging smoke remained assurance that all was not a horrid dream. —11—

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