Carthage College - Driftwood / Crimson Rambler Yearbook (Kenosha, WI)

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On the evening of February eighth. Carthage Col- lege was rocked by words pronouncing disaster The P.E.C. is on fire! At one point. flames were shooting thirty feet into the air. Fortu nately, no one was injured by the fire since the Monday night class had just been dismissed. and the building was emp- ty at the time. For several hours. frantic students and faculty members helplessly stood by as the four alarm fire burned out of control. When they,were allowed to enteT' the REC. however. students and faculty alike. united under a common goal. worked to save everything possible. Students moved equipment. swept water. and dried the main floor of the gym on their ha nds and knees. Tuesday. February ninth. morning classes were cancelled to allow fatigued students to get some much needed-sleep. Although the fieldhouse roof continued to smolder for several days. the worst was over. Classes were rescheduled. physical activi- ties were shifted about. and administrators took stock of the damage.

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President Harold H. Lentz expressed his feelings of the fire on the February eigh- teenth edition of the arrow. 'iln spite of the blow which the College has suffered from the fire in our Field- house. there are certain factors which cause us to give thanks. One of these is the wonderful attitude evidenced by the students who offered their assistance in every way possible. I wa nt to express the official thanks of the College. as well as to express person- al gratitude. to all those who gave so generousiy of time and effort. during the late hours when the attempt was made to prevent water damage to the Fieldhouse floor. Your actions have received much praise from firemen and other outside our Carthage tamily. The tragedy of the tire is partly offset by the oneness that developed on this occa- sion; thus, once again I was very proud of our student body.