The conduct of our students was truly admirable. Each young man worked with a will, wherever he was placed, or at whatever needed to be done at the moment, whether it was at the pumps or carrying water, guarding a roof, or taking out furniture and books. None worked harder than some of those who had rooms in the chapel building and were losing nearly all they had, forgetful even of the trunk or handful of clothing that lay somewhere scattered about in the yard—all that was left of their possessions. Many of the young women, also, showed much presence of mind and were of great service. One was found upon the roof of the mansion with a bucket of water.
We received much assistance, too, from friendly neighbors both white and colored. One old colored woman was the means of saving a great deal from the burning building, running in and out carrying away the books and loose furniture.
Previous to the fire every available room was occupied by our students, and many apartments which were barely comfortable for two had to accommodate three. At ten o’clock that Sunday night our main dormitory for young men was in ashes. Thirty were without a place to sleep. For that night fifteen were stowed away on the floor of one of the teachers’ rooms in the mansion, five were put similarly in one of the offices, and the rest managed to squeeze themselves into the ten beds at the “Barracks.”
It shows the earnest disposition of the class of students which are attracted to Tougaloo University that we were able the next morning, promptly at nine o’clock, to go on with the regular school work. The classes all recited as usual, though school books had been scattered upon the campus and our school room and two recitation rooms had been turned to ashes by the flames. The Monday writing-class, however, did not meet. Pens and desks were burnt.
The fire has indeed seemed to result in a moral blessing, softening the disposition of many, and teaching a lesson of unselfishness. It has served, we think, to attach our better class of students to the institution as perhaps never before.
Students have been arriving every week since the fire and we have sent none of them away. The very week following brought us half a dozen young men. In addition to this, about the first of March quite a number of young men as well as young women are expected to return to us from their winter schools.
TENNESSEE.
Statistics of Teaching by Students now in Fisk University.
From reports carefully made out by students now in attendance on Fisk University, the following facts are ascertained: