New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-11-24
BURNIyG or THE CENTRAL ONO LUNATIC
ASYLUM

The Central Ohio Lunatic Asylum, situated
at the eastern extremity OF Broadt in Columbus was
DESTROYED by fire on wednesday night The origin OF 'e
fire is and will probably remain mystery IL was hIs'
discovered shortly before ten near the northern
tv Of the east wing Of the Asylum which IS occupcu Wy
the female inmates smoke began TO Issue rom
those wards and cells which confined the ncuaoio
cIoss q, patients About 200 of the patients were
absent from their wards, having been CON
dncted in the early part Of the evening
70 the large Amusement Hal, where they had peeh
ioned by largo number Of ladies and gentlemen from
the city aud where both sane and insane were mnsIhg
together IN friendly intercourse and enjoying Tue
eTcting pleasures OF the dance AT first discovery
the fire caused serious alarm III was thouBnt wa.
The flames could be easily subdued, ard the prompt
arrival OF the fire companies, which had been tele
prauhed strengthened the confidence OF all III inns ocno
Rut tbe bremen were able do absolutely nothing TO
check the progress OF the flames. The wafer thrown
the building oaed of the Tin rOof ana ran uOwh 70 tuo
spout Ike ram The iron CRATES or bars broke the
force of the streams OF water turned against them anu
prevented the water from penetrating the rooms
HE orm Of spray And instead runnnghe hose through
the halls OF the building and beating the flames backnoh
within they driven forward by ATTACKS III .c ~.
from without In brief time II was announced that inc
sunnlv of water IN the cses exhausted, and then
the fearful truth flashed upon the minds OF All that the
entire Asylum was lost The whole OF this naghlncen.
sfrncure WAS Mt once abandoned to destruction one vi
those indi5crlbable scenes then followed, Whch arr
behcld but once In lifetime, a faithful impression! on
which cannot he conveyed TO those absent from the
appaing spectacle The flames had cut OIL comlnuhlca
ton between the extreme end OF the east wing ana
The main building 80 that the only hope OF rescuing inc
worst class of female inmates from their perllOus poson
cntiin, passas through the tn-plated roof Lad
ders were thrown against the walls, the strong non
ing covering windows was torn away ana the sneh
ing unatics were tcndery taken In the arms OF srohg
brave men. and borne down the long ladders 10 lne
ground Some were led along the steep roof OF inc Co
seTyaorv building and thence handed carefully down to
place Of safety dragged through holes CUT
i'm the ceilings Of their cells, and passing out upon e
HIGH roof OF the main building moved through the storm
like specters walking IN the air or upon the sea many
of these unfortunate women were almost entiey huuo
some had nothing but their nightcothing, some had
sheets or blankets wrapped about their heads 9theis
with their hair streaming IN the Nlnu' ioohvu nhe
! furies let loose. The feet Of almost all were
without covering. and not few were without covering
upon the upper portion OF their persons a stIa strange
spectacle presented another part OF TINS eNIa0t
binary All the female patients whose rooms cOuIt
be reached had been assembled III the lhgo ISL Nv
Hail. and had there been Locked IN 10 prevent teli GO
cape. Almost all the guards and attendants peing en
gagged in saving property ana me- tn.se GonEieS"u
aniacs were left TO indulge all the Wild fances ana va
carries Of their dlstempered minds some kheeed uoHh
and engaged in earnest prayer, some IN loud ekhOfta
tons declared that they had JUST reached ne poe
OF final torments. and that the flames around tsn wei9
the fires OF hell; while others INDUCED III louu a'u
tests uttering hOrr1d Oats now ing thelr eyes ~
application and again dancing IN perfect ecsiacy 3
delight. one immense woman spring, Win one noi.a
upon the beautiful piano AT the lead Oh inc room; au
with Der heavy shoes danced SO ipS !S Tec Wa not
lcnce upon It, that although the unatlG hcth M' ~
| broken, the instrument was completely uesuOyeo III
the removal OF these ravng maacs III carriages ana ON
nbuses they generally presented very q ,iet
and gave but little trouble, except mat SOME uducsltu
an unaccOuntable disposition 10 rush back into he hamS
! from which they had just been rescued seePlng IA
! rooms next To tho one IN which the nIe orsihaleh
| by EufocatlOn before help could reach them.
Their eless bodies snatched from the haines ana
beng borne the reach of the dcyourng element
Law stretched amid the falling snow upon the grass rem
dering more CHASTITY and ghO-ty the narrowing scene
Before midnight the patients had all been removed u tho
| Hospital the Deaf and Dumb Asylum and the Peniten
tar and at this hour # not before all hope OF saving
any part OF this magnificent structure had been utterly
| abandoned. The flames had run along under the I'm
roofing like fire along the on the prairie ana shot
heaycnward mutterug rythms Of vengeance mp the sky
river OF fire. extending hundreds Of yards, seemed 10
on when famed by the winds like the waves OF the
| sea. soon after midnight, 1000 people had
reached the grounds. Almost thousand
OF these set themselves 90 work to save tho
furniture and other movable property OF the Institution
Bedstcads chairs table, pianos. desks. mirrors, blank
cts quilts dishes books musical Instruments and paint
ings carried out at the doors or hurled from the
windows, and being deposited IN the yard formed m
numera mounds aud tumui. Ike the ruins ana debris
after an earthquakes destruction To-day these MASSIVE
walls IN their magnitude and solemn grandeur can 10
mind the monuments and remains OF Imperial Rome
An Institution the largest one In the Union-Which
for ~ years has been the pride and glory of our noble
state, has passed away. But 10 VIII reappear again,
grander in its proportions. broader IN ia charities ana
more houudless blessings 10 the brotherhood OF
man. louo STATE JouIhAi' NV ~