More about school fire

I was pleased to read in the Looking Backward column on Feb. 27 about an incident that I was a part of 75 years ago. At that time I was living in Ogdensburg and attending No. 2 public school at age 12.

Let me enlighten you a bit regarding some facts not in your report. Before we were marched out of the building, all of the students were assembled in the second-floor assembly hall while attempts were made to contain and douse the blaze. We were then marched out of the building to safety. To my recollection only one student was injured, who turned her ankle. Another girl, a neighbor, was home sick. She had all of her school books with her. The rest of us lost our books in the fire.

Arrangements were made to move No. 2 school students to No. 1 public school with split sessions with alternative weeks of half-day sessions — one week morning, the following week afternoon sessions. Since we had no books, students of No. 1 school had to leave their textbooks for us to use.

Incidentally for me, I was scheduled for that day to have a violin lesson and had taken my instrument to school with me. I re-entered the building to retrieve my violin, which I still have. I have no idea of how I was able to get away with doing that.

It is my understanding that No. 1 school in recent years has been considered for other uses than for school use.

David A. Corp

Watertown