The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-11-23

dent can confer In this view OF the case the state
Of opinion in the United States is possibly deserving
Of more attention than It has received
THE COLUMBUS, OHIO, HORROR.
~~>~--~~~~~~~->>>->~~-~-
Farther and Startling Particulars Of the
Burning Of tho Central Lunatic Asylum
Frantic Conduct Of the Mhniacs.
columbus, Ohio Nov. 1o), correspondence of the
Cincinnati Commercially
It has been the custom for some years past TO have
social dancing parties at the Central Lunac Asylum
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 insane. or
course only the most tractabe OF the inmates were
allowed to be present at these parties. The anuse.
ment hall was one OF the handsomest In the State
being painted and decorated IN gilt and bright
colors, and all OF the surroundings were calculated
to attract the wandering thoughts OF the poor shat
tered minds Of the patients There Ia no doubt that
these parties have been productive OF much good
and 1t was seldom that anything occurred to mar the
Last night at haif-past nine O'Clock the dancing
room filled with patients and invited guests and
all was going pleasantly, when the terrible cry q
from one part OF the building to another, and soon
reached the amusement room. At first It was sup
posed 1t was but 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 patients. The names spread
several OF the sleeping rooms were in names Then
the work OF desoiaton and scenes OF horror began.
burning rooms TO the amusement hail. where attend
ants were ready to supply such as needed them with
II was with dificulty that many Of the most vio-
lent patients rescued. The general panic made
them perfectly frantic. They danced, sang and
howled ike fends waving their hands and Laughing
as the flames approached them. All the efforts OF
the attendants were unavailing. They seemed TO
have forgotten the faces OF those around them and
refused TO leave their rooms, and at last It found
necessary to call upon the citizens to take them by
force TO other parts OF the building.
AT eleven O'Clock the amusement hall presented q
strange appearance. Such as had participated ia
the dance were arrayed in all the nery that only the
partly naked, executed fancy dance on top OF the
piano, and it was with diincuty that clothes were
put on her.
shape OF shawls, and seemed perfectly quiet and
happy. Others were quarresome, and needed con.
to care whether they lived or died. one elderly lady
insisted comforting all the ladies and kissing oil
and mace constant efforts TO escape.
In the upper hall OF the eastern wing sad sight
presented Itself. Here laid the bodies OF the six I'M
fortunate women who were suffocated before they
could be rescued, their pale faces blacxened by the
fire and smoke, looking horrible in the uncertain
dead wore a look of determination. and did not
show signs OF great suffering although the face or
one OF the younger women was distorted her mouth
being twisted aud her upper lip somewhat burned
The bodies OF the dead were saved and will be
properly cared for until the relatives arrive.
one OF the saddest sights OF the hight was 20 see
the SON OF one OF these unfortunate women sitting
by the side OF the body OF mis- dead mother weeping
bitterly and holding her cold hand In his, calling
upon her TO speak to HIM only one word.
Al midnight II was found that the fire was gaining
ground, and all hopes OF saving any portion OF the
m were now en o s violent ssene
taken from the amusement hell TO the detached
hospital some distance northeast OF the main
building. Il was found necessary to call on the
police to take charge OF some OF them Their QUERY
was most pitlful to hear. Conveyances were pro-
cured as soon poss BILE, aud most OF the females
IN ken IN Deaf and DumD Aaylum.
TN TO this time the male patients had been compa-
rativey quiet; but as the devouring element an
preached them they became frantic, and many called
through their strong barred windows 10 the crowd
not to abandon them: but with almost superhuman
Drmb Asylurn. where beds were Immediately pro-
vfded for them in the eastern dormitorJ.
THE SCENE At ONE o'CLocK
wac one OF general confusion. The ground In front
OF the building was strewn with every conceivable
article OF clothing. bedding, furniture, &c. Thou
Of SoS To sa
ruin. As might be expected the sneak thieves were
enjoying carnival season and many articles were
There was one OF the female attendants gong
from place TO place. wrnging her hands and asking
many Il they had seen her trunk. aud IN answer 20
"Oh Lor1y, all my winter clothes are In that trunk,
and among them my very best SILK dress with the
PompadOur waist. Oh, Lordy, L0rdy.n
Another OF the females whose trunk helped 10
pack. insisted on unpacking 70 see where her best
blue velvet bonnet was which, alas, when found
One man who insisted upon helping 70 remove the
valuables from the upper portion OF the building
wcirht Of 4 huge bucket OF coal, and only came to
his senses when he had safely deposited his precious
load among the bedding, near the outer gate.
At the Deaf and Dumb Asylum at haf-past two
O'Clock st another curious sight was presented.
The frightened pupils, hurried from their beds to
make room for the patients, were huddled in shiver
ing groups IN various parts OF the building not I'M
derstandng at rst what could be the matter; but TO
their everlasting credit be Il said that when they did
understand II they without an exception, were oil
OF those around them and without single murmur
consented 70 double upn which, TO say the least In
bed jus, large enough for one IL not elyslsm.
Too much praise cannot be awarded to DR.. Peck
and wife aud his noble corps OF assistants. DR.. J.
NJ. smith, VI this city, also performed tho duties
pertaining 70 his calling In such . manner
Pay, Metron westerveit, "Aunt Rnthr and In fact
all 81 the attaches OF the Deaf and Dumb Asylum did
all they could 70 make comfortable the patients.
. The patients Miss Hattie Love, Mrs. Bain and MIS-
Morgan. were In fair way OF recovery when I
was 81 the asylum this morning. The Injuries sus
tanned by Louis Seibert and T. y Rickly OF tha city
are not 40 severe "a was supposed.
Inc summing up 10 about as foovs:--The largo
portico Of the main building and the outside walls
sre good. The centre wing, including the chapel
enn bakery, are also Ia good condition The engine
mouse, stables and detached hospital are UNI
touched by the nre. The patients In the hospital
are very comfortable aud do not seem TO have
aunereu very much from the terrors OF last night.
When II Is remembered that over 200 patients were
confined at The time OF the DIRE all must certainly SEQ
that 10 rescue all but Elk was no easy work. and
could not have been done unless perfect discipline
had been maintained IL Is sti impossible TO tell
how the nre originated but u 10 supposed from q
defective 1ue. kilograms have been sent to the
trustees OF the institution to report here mrnedi-
ately Orders have also been received nom several
counties TO forward tho patients as possible
70 their respective counties All things Considered
eli are doing exceedingly well.
ARRIVAL uf the YACHT EVA " HAMPTON so,us.