The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1828-08-27
BosToN, Aug. 20.
FIRE AT THE STATE PRISON

| hSH al AF1E STATE PklSON.
On Sunday afternoon fire broke out in the
workshops of the State Prison in Charles
town. An alarm having been given. our
Fire Department, with engines, were prompt
in repairing to the spot to aid their bretb-
len OF Charlestown in extinguishing it and
Col. Wainwright Immediately ordered a
detachment of the Marines of the Navv
Yard to march to the prison to prevent the
escape OF the cOnvicts, should thew attemDt
one. The fire was first discovered in the
Brush Department of the lower story of the
two-story brick building, which is 23I feet
long by about IS wide, with an attic. occu-
pied for workshops; and had made such
progress when, discovered, that no one
could enter the shop. The basement was
improved as cooper's shop, and as din
ing hall, cookery, bakery, and washing es-
Enlistment. The lower story was princi-
pally occupied for the mandatory of locks
and doors for the new prison, and other
smlthery, and for the employment of talors,
shoe-makers, and oakum pickers "a part
was improved by Mr.. Flavel Coolidge, brush
maker, whose loss, we learn, is about
$1,000: another part by Messrs. S. and
Z. Poor, who lost most of their tools. The
second story was improved by Charles Fos-
ter, as cabinet manufactor and upholst-
cry, whose extensive machinery for turning
was consumed-loss estimated at about
$3,500-partly insured. Mr.. John Doane.
brush maker, also improved part-some
OF his property was saved. In the attic the
Government had a number of looms stored,
which were destroyed. A wooden building
used as a blacksmith's shop was burnt, and
an old shed for stone cutters partly consum-
ed. The Chapel was mostly DESTROYED.
The fire, in all probability, was commu-
nicated by some of the convcts, in expecta-
ton that it would break out while thew
were attending religious services, or while
at dinner in the dining hall as we under
stand that an examination of the shops was
made about halfpast one o'clock on Sunday,
when no sign of fire or smoke was dscov-
cradle. They were also examined on Sat
urday afternoon, after the convicts had left
work. The prisoners were all confined at
2 o'clock, with the exception of the cooks
and walters, who generally are locked up
about five. On the discovery of the fire the
cooks and walters were ordered to their cells,
and obeyed without any resistance. None
OF the prisoners escaped. We are inform
ed that number of attempts to escape have
been made by the convicts since the opera
ton of the law which deprives them of many
former indulgencies, such as the use of to-
bacco, tea, snuff &c. purchased with money
paid for over-work. They have also exhibit
ed the utmost dread at the prospect of be-
ing locked up in the solitary cells of the
new prison now in erection.
The whole loss sustained is estimated at
about $4,000. much of which falls upon the
enterprsing contractors for the labor of
the convicts. The damage to the govern
ment, we learn has so far been repaired by
the exertions of the officers of the lnstit1-
ton, that the stone-cutters and blacksmiths
are again at work.
The fire did not break out till after the
convicts had dined, and been locked up
more than an hour. As the convicts have
learned from dear-bought experience, that
all their endeayors to elude the sentences of
the violated laws are fruitless, it is to he
hoped that they will not again add to their
punishment by a repetition of them.
Centinel.