The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1864-1911, 1868-11-25
From the Ohio Statesman.
DESTRUCTION OF TsEE LUyA.
TEC ASELEM.
Full Particulars of tbs Heart
rendIng Disasters-Naane
OF the ea1-lssCidents

at tNe EhHP--
Never in the history of Columbus was
there such a confagration as that at the
Lunatic Asylum, Of which we gave hasty
and necessarily partial account yesterday, a.
all sorts of rumors were flying, and We did
not wish to give more than the facts. Pay
ine visit to the ruins, yesterday. we were
enabled to gather many important particu-
lars, and have time to relate besides what
we heard and saw.
THE FIRE
The Gre broke out about half rast nine
o. clock. 1t was first discovered in one of
the rooms at the north east corner of the
east wing Of the building. This east wing
was devoted entirely to the use of the female
patients, and the ward or section where the
fire ori. mated contained some fifty of them
Fifteen minutes before all that portion of
the building was in flames, the attendant
having that section in charge, passed
through it, and there were no signs OF fire,
smell of smoke, or other indication of dan
ger Quick as fash il must have spread,
tor. by the time the engines arrived on the
ground. though the flames did not show
through the roof, the Interior was so filled
with smoke and fire ns to threaten death
to any one who should attempt 10 penetrate
it.
The major rortioa of the inmates had not
yet retired, but in the ward where the fire
originated, some of the most mischievous
we're, and some sick ones. Ali efforts to
inGuce these to leave their rooms were un-
availing, and tie few citizens who had
reached the place, and the attendants, at
the risk of their own lives, rushed in and
dragged them from the horrible fate that
awaited them. The roar of the flames, the
rolling clouds OF smoke, now black as night
and again lit with lurid glare; the cries,
screams, shouts, laughter and uancing Of
the dementcd women, whose madness
seemed increased by the wild and exciting
scenes around them, made up picture ter
rible to look upon.
By-and.hy came word that some were dy-
ing in their rooms, suffocated in the smoke
and Others raving and struggling to free
themselves frem their confinement. Then
some OF our heroic citizens rushed into the
flames and dragged forth the dead and the
dying Some were dead when reached
others died shortly after coming to the fresh
air. One poor creature, beautiful girl
Of about eighteen, whose arms were confn-
ed because oi her mischievous propcnsities,
on being brought out called piteou ,ly for
her mother, and died with the prayer on
her lips that she might be allowed to lay
her heed upon her mothers treast, it
pains me so, she said.
There were six Of the female patients
who died of suffocation and inhalation of
the fames The were placed ON mattresses
afterward conveyed to the dead house in
kl, nsI k.> Il .D(
of their friends. Their names and residen>
ces are; Mary Murray, Wyandot County;
Susan A. Parker, Licking County; Bridget
Brophy, Columbus; Clara Bradford, Lizzie
Herold and Caroline q, nner, Athens Co.
There were rumors OF m my more having
lost their lives, but it is absolutely certain
that the above names co nprise the total
fatalities. Three persons, Hattie Love,
Mrs. Balm and Mrs. Parker, We're nearly
sutfocated, but were all right last night.
Mrs Brophy's body was taken to her
late residence, on Buckeyes street. in the
northern portion of the city we believe,
yesterday morning.
The opinion of those connected with the
Institution in regard to the origin of the
gre is that some one of the patients, in a
spirit of mischief, lit a reace of paper at
the gas burner in the hall, just alter the
attendant had passed through, and set fire
to her bed. On no other theory can the
choking, binding smoke be accounted for
The building was heated by steam, and no
story of defective fues' will answer. The
gas burner in this portion of the building
was in easy reach, the ceiling being low,
and although the strictest orders are issued
to prevent patients approaching the lights,
yet the cunning of madness often is too
much for the watchfulness of sanity.
The immence building was totally consum-
ed.
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TEAnuER'S EXAMINATIoN -Tharo ,u;ll