The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1866-01-25
Destructive Fire-State Reform School at
Waukesha Burned.
From the Waukesha Freems


From the Waukesha freeman, Extra.
THURSDAY MORNING, Jan. 11-3 o'clock
A short time before midnight this Thurs
day morning, the large and massive stone
edifice-tbe State Reform Schoo-was dis
covered to be on fire, and in a very brief
space of time the whole immense structure
was one vast sheet of flame. The inmates to
the number of some 100, of all sizes and
ages, were sound asleep, but all managed to
escape, with their clothes, minus their caps,
and in many instances their shoes and
stockings There was light depth of snow
on the ground, but fortunately the weather
was mild and pleasant When we arrived
on the ground, the greater portion of the
furniture, except that in the lodging rooms.
had been gotten out of the building, although
in greatly damaged condition.
a wooden building with few feet of the
school, and used as work room for the
boys, although in great danger from the
excessive heat, was saved without injury,
by the active exertions of our citizens.
Mr.. Hendrickson, the Superintendent in
forms US that when he first discovered the
fire it was in a small apartment on the Sc
cond floor, known as the kerosene ROOM"
but as to its origin he could not state. The
building was four stories high, made Of cut
stone. with very heavy walls, and cheapy
but neatly furnished; although, from the
long time it had been in USE nearly every
thing needed repenishing
The walls of the building stood the fire
bravery and are seemingly uninjured. The
actual loss is from 500, 900 to $50, 900 up
on Which it is stated there are three jnsur-
anees viz In the Morris Co, of New York,
$1,000, Home, of n. Y, SIS coo; and in
another Eastern Co, So, 900
The children who are thus thrown out OF
a home will be temporarily provided for in
some church basement or uuoccupied build
ing.
1t is pleasant feature in this great pub
lie calamity, for us to be able to state thai
none of the many Inmates were killed or III
ljured, and that no blame eau rest upon the
very excellent Superintendent Mr. Hen
Erickson, as he is universally conceded ;
man of untiring aud sleepless watchful
ness
Since the above was put in type, thu
Board of Managers, in connection with I
Legislative committee, have had a meeting
in our village and investigated the cause o
the late fire and we understand that they
have no doubts the bulldog was fired b,
one Of the inmates-Malcolm Wells "a boy
about Is years Of age, who is representa-
, as perfect desperate.
, Quite number of the boys escaped du
ring the confusion incident to the fire; som
of whom have been caught and among Their
, the one who is believed to be the incen
, diary.
We learn that the Board of Manager
and the Legislative committee are in fave
of re- building as soon as possible; and fc
the present. erecting temporary building
Qike barracks for the accommodation
the children who are now ahuddled into tn
workshop and the lower buiIding,fo ten
porary shelter. We shall probably hay
the report of the committee in few day
i'll au official form, and therefore defer flu
ther remarks for the present
We regret to learn that Mr. HendricksoI
the Superintendent. suffered loss Of abol
$500, consisting of household furniture.