The Smethport
Graded School and Academy Destroyed by Fire.
McKean County Miner
February 3, 1893
page 3 column 1
Shortly before two o'clock Tuesday
morning the people of Smethport were startled from their slumbers by the
shrill tooting of the alarm whistle on the hose house, caused by fire having
been discovered in the school building on King street. Owing to the
snow and ice some considerable difficulty was experienced in getting up
the hill, and by the time the fire department reached the scene, the fire
had gained considerable headway. Added to this difficulty it was
found that the pressure of water was inadequate to the occasion and soon
the building was a seething sea of flames, which illuminated the entire
town to the brilliancy of day. The fire spread rapidly and its progress
was only stayed when nothing was left to burn. The ruin was complete,
not one stick being left upon another. Furniture, fixture and all
the paraphernalia of the school, which was very valuable, together with
the belongings, or nearly all, of the scholars shared in the general destruction.
The origin of the fire is attributed to an over pressure of gas.
The loss is estimated at $13,000, on which there is an insurance of 8,000,
$7,000 on the building and $1,000 on the furniture and fixtures.
The destruction of this building brings vividly
to mine the trouble experienced in its erection, it being claimed by a
large number of the towns people at that time that the projected building
was not a necessity, that the demands of the town would never require so
large a building. However in 1874 the building was erected at a cost
of $8,000, which has since prayed the wisdom of the Board of Directors
which at that time was composed of L. Rogers, President, Ira Gleason.
Secretary, J. C. Backus, M. A. Sprague and two others whose names we do
not now recall.
In 1888, owing to the crowed condition of the
school it was found necessary to erect a wing on the east side of the building
which was done at a cost of $2,500, bonds being issued for that purpose.
Of this amount all has been paid but $500 which is provided for.
Recently an unused room was fitted up at a cost of $200 which was designed
as a receptacle of a library, the donation of Hom. Bryron D. Hamlin.
Undoubtedly the destruction of the building will be received in the light
of a dread calamity, but if we mistake not a year hence but little regret
will be manifested as we hope to sec erected, with a view to the future
upon the old site a building which will be a credit to the town.
The school directors are now wrestling with the question of temporary quarters,
having in view the hose house, the old St. Luke's church and other rooms,
and to have thing arranged within ten days so that the regular session
of the school may be held.
Since the foregoing was in type the directors
have met and determined to reopen the schools on monday morning next.
The above mentioned buildings and probably the old M. E. Parsonage and
rooms in the Backus building will be used. |
