4 & 6 January
11 & 13 January
18 & 20 January
25 & 27 January
Congratulations to all those that graduated and were commissioned today. Best of luck to you!
Have a safe and memorable holiday season.
Erin Jones
MMI Archivist
ejones@marionmilitary.edu
334 302 1038
Courtesy, Perry County Herald, Travis Vaughn. Originally published, 15 Oct, 2009.
"The deadly MMI fire occurred in 1924 in a white frame structure called South College Barracks and claimed two victims, Jefferson Bryant Meharg of Pensacola, Fla., and Lawrence Christopher Olsen of Waukegan, Ill. The monument on the honor ground recalls this event:
'Erected By The Cadet Corps 1923-24
Cadets Jefferson Bryant Meharg And Lawrence Christopher Olsen Who Lost Their Lives In the Burning of College Barracks March 17, 1924...'"
Courtesy of Travis Vaughn, http://perrycountyherald.com/
From “History of Marion Institute” Speech in Chapel by Cadet J. W. Matthews; Fall, 1959
“The two cadets shared a room in South College Barracks, a two-story white fame building a short distance south of the present campus area. About 5:30 on the morning of March 17th, 1924, South College Barracks caught fire. Fire call was sounded, the entire battalion formed in front of the chapel and everyone was reported preset. The tragedy occurred after dismissal from this formation. One of the boys (it’s not known which) had left his watch in the building and decided to return for it. Smoke was pouring from the building at this time, but there was no sign of flames. He apparently could see no danger. His roommate discovered that he was missing and guessing that he went back into the building, went to find him. The building suddenly exploded and burned swiftly. Meherg was killed instantly. Olsen somehow managed to get out, but he was fatally burned and died six hours later in Selma Hospital.
The following year, the Cadet Corps erected a monument to their memory. This monument is the cannon overlooking the drill field and the plaque on the monument bears the inscription:
“Greater love hath no man than this,
That he lay down his life for his friends”
Courtesy of MMI Foundation Archives.
Courtesy of MMI Foundation Archives, Lawrence Christopher Olsen’s Attendance Card
Hello! It's been a busy couple of weeks for me as I grow more and more familiar with the MMI collections. I've found many interesting things in my exploring.
This scrapbook, along with several others, make up a set of articles on MMI that range from 1968 to the early 80's. Unfortunately, I can't be more specific than that. Until my supplies arrive in early November, I'm holding off on opening some of the more damaged pages. Those I have been able to open speak of community service performers by MMI Cadets and Faculty and some of the amazing awards won by individual and Company, alike. They are displayed in the Archives. I'll turn the pace once a week until we see them all.
Relief Template
