The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-08-20
TIE ALTON PENITENTIARY DEsTROYED By
' FIRE. e. ...A ~
From the Alton Democrat, Aug. IA. ]

The most severe fire that has visited Alton for many
years occurred last night within the penitentiay walls
At about dusk, and some fifteen minutes after the con-
vics had retired from the yards and shops, and the
night watch having been on guard some ten minutes,
fire was discovered bursting out in two three places
from a in the building near the gate, designated
the drying house for cOOperage In instant as it
were the flames spread through the room, and to the
adjoining rooms Of large long building The alarm
being given the fire department and large number Of
citizens speedily collected about the walls So filled
the building with cooperage stuff, machinery Sc, that
the flames beyond all control ere the fremen got
fairly at work upon it. ... -.... ar a..
Their efforts were then directed to saving the adion
ing buildings readers being generally aware that
several large buildings comprising different branches of
business grouped together within the prison walls
with alleys or roadways between them.
The eating hall and hospital building ON fire,
there not being sufficient hose to reach from the gate
way. Hose taken up through the warden's house
and past grated windows and thus stream directed
on to the dining floor but too late for the and
upper story window-frames were on fire. .
Thus for several hours from to o'clock, the fire.
and citizens toed at the engines and inside for the
heat had become so intense inside the wall to drive the
engine companies outside until they quite exhaust
ed and the flames being tocrably well under, many
tired to their homes But vast pile Of slaves, some
800 900, had taken fire, and not to be subdued 1t
commenced burning aesh and the long coopershop
to it in great danger. alarm given
guns fired bells rung, and drums beat and the citizens
and fremen again assembled and went to work.
Long before this, however, the city military called
out about forty of the Yager company with loaded
| arms to aid in preventing rebellion among the four
hundred prisoners portion of the Yagers mounted the
walls and guarded other weak points, and also stood
sentry about one hundred shortterm and best dis
posed of the convcs the latter being set to work the
engines, &c. which again brought within tho walls
The heat and smoke now enveloped the main prison
building in which the prisoners were locked up for tho
night such intense heat that the convcts began to
call loudly for dcliverancc 10 prepare frustrating all
possibility of escape, Deputy Warden Wells placed q
strong guard upon the walls with orders to shoot any
convict who showed spirit of nsubordnation. The
most internal noises from the penitentiary of
in their cells yelling for fear of the singing
others while working at the breaks of the shouting
through trumpets and the general noise of the crowd
This noise distinctly heard at residence In Sem
pleton mile from the spot, and it seemed if
general rebellion and revolution was going on
The main cell building not gnited, but the upper
floors and tiers of cells became heated and full OF
smoke that the convics in them were turned into the
halls of the lower Stories where the heat and smoke
less intense They very fearful of being burned
alive apparently.
No escapes were effected, although two or three at
tempts were made, by prisoners changing clothes and
trying to pass out among remen and citizens while
wing wagons and other property The roll called
at 10 clock to day. and every man answered to his
name The loss is about onethrd of the buildings of
the prison. valued, with their contents at between $40
900 and $50 600 We learn nothing definite as to
the insurance. the lessees of the prison not being here
One report is of no insurance another Of $50 000 There
is insurance the premises at any agency at Alton
The pile of SO 900 slaves alone worth Sl per thou
sand.
In conclusion remark that the opinion generally
prevails that the fire the work of more of the
prisoners started and concealed that it had got
under full head before discovery.
Since writing the above, learn that it was started
in the keg shop, twostoy plank she'd adjoining the
stone building. Some prisoners seemed to act in
cert with it, by throwing missiles out of their cell win
dows but dessted when the Yages paraded before
them and were order tn nj wind from,
which missile came. Some of the convicts had taken
in stones in their pockets others threw out padlock
which had been left in the hasy unlocking of the cells
Under such circumstances, do not claim too much
for the remen, the military the prison officers and c
zens of Alton, in saying that this confagraon in the
pententiary exceedingly well managed and resulted
fortunately We will add that the prisoners to-day
being employed in cooling off and clearing out the prem
ses that sheds will speedily be put up for them to eat
in the engine and boilers will be set up again. and ere
long the business Of the establishment win progress the
main cooper shop carriage shop blacksmith department
the cell buildings &c, escaping unlnjurcd