December 15, 1904 - Cool-headed
action by Principal Nettie Waite and prompt obedience by 34 kindergarten
students of the old Lincoln School, Sixth and Washington Ave. North, Minneapolis,
prevented a panic when the building caught fire this morning and probably saved
several lives. As it was, every child got out of the school without trouble,
and few knew the building was burning over their heads.
Shortly after 10 a. m., Miss Waite smelled smoke in the schoolroom. Looking up,
she saw flames creeping across the ceiling, apparently coming from a vacant
room above.
Realizing the safety of her students depended upon her, Miss Waite walked to
the piano and struck the signal chord for every pupil to rise.
“Now, walk out into the yard,” commanded the schoolmistress, “and don’t wait
for your wraps.”
Then to the cheering music of a march, the students obediently proceeded into
the yard. They were soon joined by their teachers, who had remained behind to
collect their wraps. By that time, the upper story was blazing merrily and many
of the children learned why they had come out of the building only when they
saw the flames and smoke.
“The obedience of the children undoubtedly saved them from injury,” said Miss
Waite. “Most of them were between three and five years of age and not one of
them had ever been in a fire drill. My assistants, Ruth Whittlesey, Agnes Rice
and Bessie Cook, aided me in getting the children out.”
The building was abandoned for general school purposes about a year ago and has
been for sale. The room that held the kindergarten class was the only part of
the building in use.
Lincoln School is the oldest school building in the city still standing and was
one of the first erected after pioneer days. The main part was built in 1867. A
wing was added in 1871 and another in 1883.
The fire started from the furnace in the basement and followed an airshaft to
one of the vacant rooms on the second floor, where the flames spread to all
parts of the building.
It is unlikely that the school will be rebuilt. The board wants to sell the
property as the location is not desirable. The only value of the property is in
its frontage on the railroad tracks.
Minneapolis Journal; “Tots March From
Burning School; Implicit Obedience to a Quick-Witted Teacher Prevents Panic at
Lincoln Building.”; Dec. 15, 1904; p. 1.
Photo taken by Pamela J. Erickson. Released
into the public domain December 15, 2014,
as long as acknowledgement included.
