Muscatine County, Iowa

COMMUNITY NEWS


Source of article: "Muscatine Journal", Muscatine, Iowa February 12, 1896
Submitted by Norma Rogers

HIGH SCHOOL GONE

Completely destroyed by Fire this
Afternoon at 2:30 O'Clock

THE PAGE RESIDENCE ALSO BURNED

The High School pupils march out in order
Loss $25,000 on building with $12,000
Insurance---Pages residence damaged
$2,500---Fireman Brown has his collar
Bone broken.

_______

Gutted by Fire

This afternoon about ten minutes past 2 o'clock fire broke out in the roof of the High School building, caused by a defective flue and within a few minutes the entire edifice was wrapped in flames and far beyond a possibility of saving from destruction any portion of the stately temple of learning.

Before the alarm was sounded throughout the building the fire had gained such headway that the upper story was completely wrapped in flames.

Upon being alarmed, pandemonium seized the scholars and for a short time it seemed as though the flames would overtake them before order could be restored and the pupils safely gotten out of the doomed structure. By good management and the coolness of most of the teachers, who regained their composure after the effects of the first scare had worn off, the scholars were mustered out in good shape, some without hats and others with bunches of books under their arms. Their appearance indicated that they had been subjected to a terrible ordeal.

Fifteen minutes after the first alarm was sounded, the big bell that occupied a position in the cupola came down with a crash, carrying everything with it into the basement. This gave the fire new life, furnishing it as it did, an opportunity for the cruel flames to get into the lower stories. It was hoped to be able to save the library, but in a very short time it became evident that all effort in that direction was unavailing, as the heat was so intense that the firemen were forced to retreat from the positions they had taken.

The force of the wind was greatly against the firemen in their efforts to do effective work and the intense cold was almost unbearable. Twice before within a few months this building had taken fire and was threatened with destruction, but the third time was the charm. In thirty minutes after the first notice of the fire was given the entire building was gutted and nothing left standing but the four black walls to indicate that so spacious a building occupied the site. No time was given to remove books or other valuable paraphernalia, so quickly did the demon fire perform its dreadful of destruction.

DATE OF ERECTION OF BUILDING

This building was put up in 1873 by S. B. Hill, at the cost of $18,000. By reference to the Journal files we find it was dedicated to educational purposes on Saturday, Nov. 1, of that year, when an address was delivered by T. S. Parvin and a poem read by D. C. Richman. The building had been somewhat improved in later years but on the whole was not as convenient or as well adapted to the purposes as are like buildings of more modern construction.

OVER $12,000 INSURANCE

The loss will reach about $25,000, The insurance being a little over half that amount, as follows:

J. H. Eversmeyer, on building....................................$2000
Bridgman & Son,   "   "...........................................2000
Thos. Brown,         "   "........................................3000
Chas. Tappe,         "   "........................................2000
J. H. Monroe & Son   ''...........................................1200
      "     "          "      Bell.................................200
Kemble & Horton, tower, clock, etc.................................590
T. Brown, Apparatus, etc...........................................750
Furniture, etc.....................................................500
                                                          ------------
                                                       Total   $12,150

This is all as could be learned when the JOURNAL went to press. There may be more discovered on further investigation. Mr. Bawjen was chairman of the Insurance company and it is not definitely knownwhether there is any more than the above or not.

The Academy of Science, which met on the second floor, in the south room, also sustained a heavy loss on their accumulations of many years. Treasurer J. P. Walton advised the JOURNAL representative that they carried $400 insurance.

NOTES OF THE FIRE

Nearly all the scholars saved their books, as did the teachers, but the labratory and all the apparatus belonging there were destroyed, as were the furniture and books in the room just south.

Some of the scholars were dancing around declaring that they would now have a vacation, while others apparently regretted it.

There was much complaint about the pressure of the water, it not being sufficient to even break the window glass.

A good many citizens were rejoicing over the loss, as they said it removed one of the poorest school buildings in the State.

Superintendent Witter, when seen, said that it seemed to be almost instantaneously that the flames communicated from the roof to the rooms below. It was his first intention to ring the bell, but on second thought he changed his mind, thinking it would cause a panic among the children. He said that all the paraphernalia contained in the Academy of Science room was consumed in the blaze, but that it was quite well insured and the loss would consequently not be so heavy. Several valuable telescopes and microscopes were destroyed. The library, containing many valuable volumes, went up in smoke.

The school board will endeavor to secure some suitable building for school purposes to accomodate the children until some definite arrangemant can be made for re-building the school.

THE PAGE RESIDENCE IN FLAMES

Shortly after the fire had been thought to be under control and the fire companies' services no longer needed, they gathered up their hose and returned to their respective quarters. In a few minutes subsequent to their withdrawal, smoke was observed emanating from the roof in the rear of the Page home on the corner of Sycamore and Fifth streets. An alarm was sounded, but before the firemen could be recalled and enter upon the scene, the garret was ablaze. Willing handss promptly responded to the call and proceededto chop holes in the roof to admit water. By that time, however, the flames had gained such headway that all hopes to save the home had vanished. Nothing remained to do, but get out the furniture that could be removed. The first thought was of Mrs. Page, who is an invalid. She was carried out of the burning building on a sofa and taken to Mr. Jayne's home, next door. When the firs boys returned, they fought nobly to save the house but it is doubtful their earnest efforts will avail them much. At 4:00 it seemed positive that the beautiful home was doomedd to destruction.

Fireman's Collar Bone Broken

At about 4 o'clock,while the firemen were fighting the flames at the Page home, a ladder, upon which George brown, of the Champion's, Jos. Bilkey, of the Rescues, and another man, whose name was not learned, were standing on, broke down and precipitated the three men to the ground. In the fall, Mr. Brown, who is employed at Nelbert's brick yard, broke his collar bone. He was conveyed to a neighboring house and medical aid summoned and the fracture reduced. The unfortunate young man was removed to his home in North Muscatine. The other two men were somewhat bruised but not seriously injured.

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