Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1868-11-26
The Burning of the Central Lu-
natic Asylum.
Correspondence Cincinnati Commercial. ]

COLUMBUS, November 19, 1868.
1t has been the custom for some
years past to have social dancin g
parties at the Central Lunatic Asy
lum for the benefit Of the patients;
invitations were issued to numbers
of our citizens to participate, and SO
bring the sane in contact with the in
sane. OF course, only the most
tractable of the inmates were allow
ed to be present at these parties.
The amusement hall was one of the
handsomest in the State, being paint
ed and decorated in gilt and bright
colors, and all of the surroundings
we're calculated to attract the wan
dering thoughts of the poor shatter
ed minds of the patients. There is
no doubt that these parties have
been productive of much good, and
it was seldom that any thing occur,
ed to mar the enjoymen. of the even
ing.
Last night at halfpast 9 o'clock,
the dancing room was filled with pa
tients and invited guests, and all
was going pleasantly, when the terri
bic cry OF fire was raised by one OF
the attendants, and passed from one
part of the building to another, and
soon reached the amusement room.
At first it was supposed it was but a
small affair; the alarm was sounded
and measures taken to extinguish the
flames, great care being used to keep
all knowledge of the fire from the pa
tients. The flames spread rapidly,
and before the engines reached the
place, several Of the sleeping rooms
were in flames. Then the work of
desolation and scenes of her-or be-
gan. AS soon as possible the pa
tients were taken from the burning
rooms to the amusement hall, where
attendants were ready to supply such
as needed them with various articles
of clothing.
Il was with difficulty that many of
the most violent patients were rescu-
ed. The general panic made them
perfectly frantic. They danced, sang
and howled like fiends, waving their
hands and laughing as the flames ap-
preached them. All the efforts of
the attendants were unavailing.
They seemed to have forgotten the
faces of those around them, and re-
fused to leave their rooms; and at
last it was found necessary to call
upon the citizens to take them by
force to other parts of the building.
At IL o'clocS the amusement hall
presented a strange appearance.
Such as had participated in the
dance were arrayed in all the finery
that only the insane person knows
how to contrive. One woman, part
ly naked, executed fancy dance
on the top of the piano, and it was
with difficulty that clothes were put
on her. ft
Others paraded the hall with sheets
folded in the shape of shawls, and
seemed perfectly quiet and happy.
Others were quarrelsome, and need
ed constant watching. Others wept
in silence, not seeming to care
whether they lived or died. One ell
derly lady insisted in comforting all
the ladies and kissing all the gentle
men present. Several stood near
the door and made constant efforts
to escape.
IN THE UPPER HALL OF THE EASTERN
WING
A sad sight presented itself. Here
laid the bodies of the six unfortunate
women, who were suffocated before
they could be rescued, their pale
faces blackened by the Ere and
smoke, looking horrible in the un-
certain light of the burning rooms.
Most of the faces of the dead wore a
look of determination, and did not
show signs of great suffering, al
though the face of one of the young
er women was distorted, the mouth
being twisted, and her upper lip
burned.
THE NAMES OF THE DEAD
Are Caroline Connor, Lizzie Herrold,
and Mrs. Bradford, of Athens coun-
y; Mrs. Parker, Of Licking County;
Mrs. Bridget Brophy, of Columbus,
Ohio.
THE BODIES OF THE DEAD
We're saved, and will be properly
'ared for until their relatives ar
i've.