Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 79, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 April 1914 — COLLEGE GYMNASIUM TOTALLY DESTROYED [ARTICLE]

COLLEGE GYMNASIUM TOTALLY DESTROYED

St. Joseph’s First Fire Results in Loss of $75,000 with only $25,000 Insurance.

CONTRACTOR ABO LOSES. Frank Medland, Who Had Contract For the Extensive Remodeling, Will Suffer Loss of Several Thousand Dollars—Seven Pianos, Pipe Organ and All Gymnasium Equipment Was Lost—All Buildings of the College Were Threatened—Rensselaer Firemen Worked Heroically and Secured Praise From the College Faculty. The gymnasium at St. Joseph’s College was totally destroyed by fire at an early hour this Thursday morning, entailing a loss conservatively estimated at $75,000, with only about $25,000 insurance. The origin of the fire is not known and when discovered at about 4 o’clock the flames were issuing from the west gable end of the roof. Whether the fire started in the basement or on a higher floor is not known, but it had probably been burning for a long time before discovered and had secured such headway that nothing could be done to save -the building or the contents, although many of the students were bent on entering the burning building to try to save some of the equipment Realizing the imminent danger, the priests restrained them from taking any risks and the precaution was well taken, for the floors soon fell in and the building collapsed. The front remains standing, but can not be used in' reconstruction. This Is the first fire of consequence that has taken place since the foundation of the college. Its effect will prove a serious temporary handicap, owing to the fact that the gymnasium not only served for the purposes its name suggests but also as a music hall and an assembly for many other purposes, containing the stage and being used for the various college dramatic performances. Included in the loss was all the gymnasium equipment, the band Instruments, seven pianos and the pipe organ. It was about 4:15 in the morning when the fire whistle gave the alarm, sounding 99, which is -higher than the fire plug numbers of the city go. The fire department and hundreds of people hurried to the college and the company did all in its power to stay the flames and to save the other buildings. Fortunately the wind tor the most part carried the burning materials away from the other buildings, but even then the Intense heat threatened the hospital, the nearest building to the gymnasium and - had it eaught fire it is probable that the entire college plant would have been destroyed. The college has a large water power plant and the fireman were able

to play three streams on the -burning building but water was of little effect. The members of the college faculty expressed themselves as desiring to publicly express their thanks to the fire department tor their splendid effort. Frank Medland, of Logansport, the contractor for the alterations and reconstruction of the gymnasium, work that was practically completed, will be a heavy loser, probably suffering from $6,000 to SIO,OOO of the loss. Mr. Medland had drawn 85 per cent«*of the money tor the work completed. He will lose 15 per cent of the contract price, and also all loose material which was destroyed. Mr. Medland had no Insurance. , ‘a V The gymnasium was erected in 1904 and consisted of a large main room,_with basement beneath and chib rooms on the sides. The- original eost was about $35,000. The remodeling consisted of raising the building and putting in a new story, providing an additional floor for gymnasium purposes and adding to the clubroom features. The work was practically - completed and a start had been made toward the construction of a large natatorium or swimming pool at the west end of the gymnasium. This was to be in the basement and above it was to be erected two floors to provide a science department. The improvements under ; way, outside of the construction of

the science hall were to cost about $50,000. The loss is, therefore, very conservatively placed at $75,000. The officers and members of the faculty at the college are not prepared at this time to discuss the rebuilding project. The erection of buildings in that institution has advanced as the money has been in sight and the funds have usually been closely figured to provide for the new buildings. A loss of $75,000 is a very serious setback and unless some money can be raised from a source not at present in sight the building can not be undertaken on the extensive plans so essential in keeping with the other magnificent buildings which constitute the college plant. The walls of the building were left standing, but it Is expected that the west end will collapse at almost any time. When the roof fell in, only about a half hour after the fire was discovered, there was a loud crash that was heard by many in Rensselaer.