The Fire
Transcript for newspaper article on the left of the screen: "MAROON AND GOLD. ELON COLLEGE, N. C, JANUARY 19, 1923. NUMBER 18. ADMINISTRATION BUILDING IS BURNED. OLDEST ANd STATELIEST BUILDING ON CAMPUS RAZED BY DEMON FIRE. Greatest Catastrophe in History of Institution Occurs Yesterday In the Early Morning Hours. LOSS IS AROUND $123,000 Building Housed Library, Society Halls, Class Rooms and Administrative Offices. The greatest catastrophe in the history of Elon College occurred last ' Thursday morning, when flames razed the Administration Building of the college to the ground. The origin of the fire is unknown. It began in the early morning, and had gained a head way sufficient to make any attempt to save the building futile. The Alumni Building was also slightly damaged. The Administration Building was the first structure of the college to be erected on the campus. It was constructed in 1890. About it has centered for 33 years the life of Elon. Within its walls the 440 alumni have received their instruction, and in the chapel, winch was in this building, they were graduated. The burned building housed the library of the college, the three literary society halls, the class-rooms, and the administrative offices. The loss is estimated at $150,000, of which $27,000 is covered by insurance. The loss is by far the heaviest that the college has ever sustained. As soon as the fire was discovered the alarm was given and students began to work heroically to save the other buildings which were endangered by the flames. It was early seen that any attempt to save the burning building would be futile, and efforts to save the furnishings were in the most part vain. The flames had the right of way throughout the interior of the building, and the equipment was doomed before the students could have begun the fight. The Burlington fire department was called early in the fight, but it was found when they arrived that the fire (Continued on page two.)
TO THE LEFT—The historic and stately Administration Building which was completely destroyed by fire early yesterday morning. ** BELOW is pictured all that remains of this handsome structure, as seen by the staff artist of Maroon and Gold. The work of dynamiting the tottering walls is proceeding rapidly and the spot where this building stood will soon be marked only by a heap of ruins. OFFICES ABE MOVED TO EAST DORMITORY ROOMS. College Safe Cracked in Its Fall From the Third Floor of Building and Records Destroyed. At a meeting at the home of President Harper Thursday evening it was decided to locate the administrative offices of the college in East Dormitory Dr. Harper’s offices will occupy rooms two and four, while the dean's office goes to room three. This arrangement will effectively care for the offices of the college, and will not seriously disarrange the present situation of rooming for students. The records were stored in an iron safe in the President's office on the third floor of the burned building. In falling the safe was cracked and all records were destroyed. There were three other safes in the building, and none of them has been extracted from the mass of smoldering ruins. Literary society members and administrative officers are manifesting much interest in the probable condition of the safes.
PHILOLOGIANS MEET FOR LAST TIME IN OLD HALL Only One Program Given Since Holiday-Hall Was Destroyed by Recent Fire.
The last meeting ever held in the old Phi” hall was the first held after the Holidays. Variety was the feature of the program. The following program was rendered: Life and Works of William Shakespeare—G. C. Crutchfield. My Summer’s Vacation -R. D. Clements. Flanders Field—F. L. Gibbs. Humor—J. H. Dollar. History of the Phi Society, 1900-1902—M. I. Crutchfield. Current Events—Bruce Bowlin. Life of Woodrow’ Wilson—A. T. Braxton. Debate: “Resolved, That capital punishment should be abolished.” Affirmative—Jack Corbitt, J. R. Barker; negative—J. M. Fix, H. E. Crutchfield. The decision was rendered in favor of the affirmative, with J. R. Barker as best speaker on the affirmative and J. M. Fix best on the negative. R. D. Clements was voted best speaker oratorically. No definite plans have been made for meetings of the society since the loss of the hall by the fire, but the society will resume its usual work somewhere. The fur market of Paris is flooded with specially prepared rabbit hides masquerading at high prices as rare Hudson Bay and Russia furs.
ENTHUSIASM ABOUNDS AT A MASS MEETING FOLLOWING CALAMITY Many Pledges of Loyalty Given— Elon Spirit Made Real in the Present Crisis. TIME OF STERN TESTING Members of Faculty and Student Body Give Evidence of Renewed Devotion.
The much-talked-about “Elon spirit” was never more clearly manifested than it was Thursday morning at a mass meeting held in the boys’ gymnasium after the terrible catastrophe of the early morning. Students, faculty and friends from far and near were there. In the beginning there was an atmosphere of deep sorrow and depression, but before the crowd dispersed, hope and courage reigned high in every heart. After a devotional service was conducted by the college pastor, Dr. N. G. New man, stirring and touching speeches were made by Doctors Harper, Lawrence, Atkinson, and Wicker, of the faculty; Messrs. Scott, White, Bray and Stoner, and Misses Bailey and Goff, representatives of the student body. Mrs. Crawford and other alumni and visitors present assured the faculty of their loyal support in this crucial hour. Telegrams were read from friends throughout the country assuring the college of their support and cooperation in rebuilding a bigger and a better Elon. It was made clear in these addresses that the real Elon is not in the material equipment of the college, but within the heart of every student and friend of the institution. It has been said that a university consisted of Mark Hopkins at one end of a log and a boy at the other. The log is burned, but the boys (and girls) are here, the Mark Hopkinses are here, and with the help of the loyal friends of Elon College they’ll find another log! Necessity is conducive to resource fulness, and sometimes it takes a crisis to show the latent material in students. Everyone pledged his loyalty and support and the students love 'their almamater too much not to make any sacrifice for her that is possible. They will prove true-blue, support the college to the last degree, and prove that they are worthy of the trust reposed in them.
SCHEDULE ARRANGED FOR CONTINUED WORK People Generous With Buildings—Class Rooms Provided in Village. In the meeting held in the boys’ gymnasium Thursday morning in which such a wonderful spirit of college loyalty was displayed by everyone. Dr. Harper announced that another meeting would be held at 4 o’clock in the same place. In this meeting the faculty presented the plans which they had formulated by which all classes might begin on time Friday morning. It was the faculty’s desire that classes should begin as soon as possible in order that no more time be lost than necessary. The citizens of the town responded (Continued on page two.)"
Transcript for newspaper article on the left of the screen: "OLDEST AND STATELIEST BUILDING ON CAMPUS RAZED BY DEMON FIRE (Continued From Page One) was too far advanced and they could do nothing. The firemen returned, but were almost immediately recalled to the scene of the fire when it was discovered that the Alumni Building was burning. On this trip they were able to render great aid to the college students in their brave fight to save the building. The girls emptied the West Dormitory of their personal belongings early in the excitement. The boys did not begin the process of clearing their building of their personal effects until it was known that the Alumni Building was burning. Trunks and other belongings were scattered broadcast over the campus, and much trouble will be experienced in re-arranging the furniture of the buildings. The fire in the Alumni Building was soon brought under perfect control and extinguished, though every precaution is being taken to safeguard the building should there still remain smoldering sparks in the rood, where the fire occurred. It is not known where the fire originated. It has been suggested that it was probably caused by a short circuit of the electric wiring of the building. There are no signs of incendiary origin, and no cause is known to have existed for such an origin. The authorities have announced no plans for reconstruction, but a meeting of the executives board has been called for Monday. At this meeting it is expected that plans will be laid for the work of rebuilding. Telegrams have been pouring in to Dr. Harper expressing sympathy and pledging support to the college in this calamity. The faculty met at noon Thursday and formulated plans to continue the class work. All the work of the college has been arranged for and the work was continued today with only the loss of one day's work. During the day the Alumni General Secretary, Mr. G. C. Donovan, rushed a letter to the alumni informing them of the catastrophe which had befallen Elon."
Transcript for newspaper article on the left of the screen: "SCHEDULE IS ARRANGED FOR CONTINUED WORK (Continued from page one) willingly and promptly to the call for places in which to hold classes. The places in which the different classes will meet are listed below in order that alumni and old students may know just how this situation is being met. All classes are called at the regular scheduled time. Masonic Hall. Religious Education I, Religious Education III, Education I, Education II, Education IV, Philosophy IV. Philosophy III, Social Science IV. Y. C. C. Hall English II, English III, English III-B, English IV-A, French I (afternoon section), Mathematics IV-E. New Post-Office Room. All of Mr. Cannon’s work: all of Mr. Everett’s work. Girls’ Gymnasium. English I (all sections), Bible I (all sections), French I (morning session), History I-B, History IV-A. Geology Laboratory. German I, French A, Science I-B, Science IIl-B, Science ll-C, French II. Room on Second Floor of Laboratory Building Near Physical Lab. Spanish I, Mathematics III. Chemical Laboratory. Science I-A, Science ll-A, Science III-A. Physical Laboratory Mathematics I, Mathematics II. French III and IV, Science I-D, Science II-D, Science III-D. Dr. J. U. Newman's Home. Greek I and II, Greek A, Greek III, Bible III. Reception Hall, West Dormitory. Latin I and II, Latin III, Spanish A, Spanish II. Domestic lectures, Domestic Science laboratory in the Art Room."
