10/30/1916
Private Roy E. Teel, Eight Cavalry, Fractures
Hip in Fall From Roof; Structue, Furniture and Chemical Equipment Valued
at $30,000 Totally Destroyed.
__
Fire of unknown origin shortly
after 6 o’clock yesterday morning completely destroyed the
administration, or main building, of the State School of Mines, located
one-half mile east of Fort Bliss. Private Roy E. Teel, Troop I, Eighth
Cavalry, was seriously injured. Private Teel was with the soldiers from
the post whose heroic work is said to have saved other buildings of the
school. It was at the time the dormitory was seriously threatened that
Private Teel made his way to the roof of the building and there, despite
the terrific heat, remained fighting back the flames. In some manner he
lost his balance and fell from the roof. His right hip was fractured
and he sustained injuries about the head. The injured soldier was
removed to the base hospital. His injures are considered serious.
Private Teel is 21 years old.
Loss Is $30,000
The building
destroyed and furniture alone was valued at approximately $30,000. This
is not taking into consideration the equipment of the different
laboratories, collection of mineral specimens, supplies and other
accessories, all of which were among the fire losses.
The chemical
laboratory, which was reputed to be one of the most complete in the
southwest and had a value of $10,000 placed on it, was probably the
greatest loss sustained in the item of equipment of the building.
Cabinets of mineral specimens that had taken years and expense to
assemble were lost. Some of the specimens had been donated, but the
majority had been gathered after considerable time had been spent in
research work and thorough examination. One cabinet of mineral
specimens, scientifically arranged, was on exhibition at the
International Soil Products exposition, recently held here. It was a
costly exhibit and created much interest among mining men and mining
engineers. In addition to the mineral specimen the School of Mines had a
complete assay furnace in operation during the exposition. The cabinets
and other similar ones were destroyed along with the building and
equipment.
It was stated it would be difficult to place value on
the equipment that was lost in the fire, but it is believed that the
amount would be considerable.
The building and equipment was insured but the amount, it is stated, will not replace the loss.
Dr.
Stephen H. Worrel, dean of the School of Mines, was called out of the
city Saturday to a place near Pima, Graham county, Arizona, and it is
not believed he has yet learned of the loss. However, efforts were made
yesterday to communicate with him by telegram. Dr. Worrel is expected to
return to the city today. Dr. and Mrs. Worrel, who had apartments in
the administration building, had recently moved to an apartment in the
Alexandria. A number of Mrs. Worrel’s personal effects were still in the
building, and those were destroyed.
Soldiers at Fort Bliss first
discovered the fire and rushed to give assistance. These stated they
first saw smoke and flames coming from underneath the northwest corner
of the roof of the building.
Building Soon In Flames
Students
occupying the dormitory, which is near the main building, stated they
were awakened about 6 o’clock yesterday morning by cries of fire and
hastened from the dormitory to see the main building in flames. The
fire, when first discovered, was burning rapidly and it was only a short
time when the entire building was aflame. Despite this students,
assisted by soldiers, went into the building in the effort to save
whatever possible. Several articles were saved in this way. However,
when the flames had eaten their way to the roof, the roof began to
crumble and shortly afterwards caved in. Attention was then turned to
saving the dormitory and other buildings, which was accomplished through
the heroic work of the students and soldiers. Although the fire
threatened, time after time, to spread to the dormitory and adjoining
buildings, the student and soldier fire fighters stuck to their posts. A
bucket brigade was organized and in this way the buildings caved were
kept thoroughly drenched until all danger was past, which was not until
only the walls of the main building, scarred and wrecked, were left.
Efforts then did not cease, water being continually thrown on the
smoldering wreckage.
Praises Soldiers’ Work
“Had it not been
for the heroic work of the soldiers,” said J.W. Kidd, professor of
engineering at the School of Mines, “from the various branches of the
service stationed at Fort Bliss, there is no doubt but that all of the
buildings would have been destroyed.”
Mr. Kidd especially commended the work of the officers and men of the Eight Calvary.
The
building destroyed was of colonial type. Huge concrete columns
supported a portico over the main entrance. The building in addition to
being of attractive design, was spacious and afforded ample
accommodations for the class rooms, lecture rooms, offices and
laboratories. It was two stories in height and a basement. The building
occupied a conspicuous site. It was easily visible for anyone to see the
building from either East El Paso or Ysleta.
Legislature Establishes School
It
was through an act of the legislature the School of Mines was
established here. The condition made, however, was that the citizens
furnish the site and buildings. Richard F. Burges probably was the most
active worker in support of the bill and in the work required after the
passage of the bill in completing the establishment of the school here.
Dr. Worrell and Dr. Phillips also rendered invaluable assistance. It was
by virtue of the subscriptions on the part of the citizens here that
the necessary site and buildings, which were formerly occupied by the El
Paso Military school, were obtained.
The school, in its initial
opening, stared with an attendance that no mining school in the country,
with possibly the exception of Columbia university, New York boasted on
its first enrollment.
Classes Resume Today
Despite the loss
the school is prepared to carry on its sessions. Regular classes will
be in session today and the fire loss will not interfere with these. The
assaying equipment, located in the building, which was in the rear of
the main building, was not harmed. Nor was the milling plant, where the
tests are conducted for the proper treatment of different ores. It may
require a short time to equip a laboratory, but this will not in any way
interfere with the regular classes and assignment work that will be
carried on without interruption. It is believed the state will take
immediate steps to replace the destroyed building and equipment.
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