Perry County AlArchives News.....Burning of The Judson March 1913
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Shirley Mellon Dewberry dewberry@cableone.net October 17, 2010, 5:41 pm

Personal Document March 1913
Source: Marion Newspaper, Marion, Alabama
Date: March 1913

Burning of The Judson

On the afternoon of November 24, 1888, the Judson was destroyed by fire.  It 
was a bright, beautiful afternoon and the girls were about their usual 
Saturday afternoon duties; some writing letters, some darning and mending, 
while others were in groups in the halls and on the lawn, telling stories and 
otherwise enjoying themselves. 

Suddenly the tower bell began to ring, loud and rapidly.  The ringing of the 
bell at the unusual hour immediately attracted our attention, and we all with 
one accord began to inquire the reason.  “The Judson is on fire” met every 
inquiry.

The alarm was soon sounded through out the building and it seemed only a few 
minutes before everybody in Marion was there.  The fire was discovered on the 
roof in the middle building, thought to have caught from a defective flue, and 
had no doubt been burning for some time before being discovered.

Marion at that time had no fire company, no water works, and when discovered 
the devouring flames had made such headway that a bucket brigade was of no 
avail.  It was seen at once that the building was doomed.  The excitement was 
intense, the fire raged for about four hours and the entire building was 
destroyed, together with most of the furniture, and some of the personal 
effects of the occupants.  But no lives were lost, no one hurt.

However, such an occasion is not without its amusing features.  Trunks, bowls 
and pitchers, mirrors and such things were thrown from the third story 
windows, pianos tumbled down the stairs, while mattresses and pillows were 
brought carefully down and laid safely on the ground.  I remember seeing an 
old fat-topped piano, with only three legs and just ready to topple over, 
standing out in the street, while a little Negro boy stood contentedly playing 
it, seemingly entirely oblivious of his surroundings.

We soon realized that we were homeless, but the good people of Marion, noted 
for their generosity and hospitality, opened their hearts and homes to us, and 
assured us that we were thrice welcome.  A comfortable home was provided for 
every girl and every teacher until other arrangements could be made.

In about ten days the Board of Trustees rented the King House for the 
remainder of the session.  This building was a three-story structure, 
containing about forty rooms.   Very few of the girls went home; most us 
remained and were made quite comfortable in our temporary quarters.

I dare say the ruins were scarcely cold before plans were on foot to rebuild.  
In February, afterwards, the contract was let: In May the cornerstone was 
laid, and we spent the next session in the new Judson.

The main building was completed in the year 1889.  Since then additional 
ground has been secured and a large auditorium has been erected. Also, a 
Carnegie Library and a beautiful new home for the President.  These with the 
spacious and beautiful grounds, stand as a lasting monument to the Baptist 
denomination and to the untiring efforts of the friends of the cause.


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