The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-10-02

Iuo OleVeIauu 116TVtU, OF september ~,
says:
We have rarely been called upon to
record more serious and 'amentable
public calamity than the near.y total de-
struction by fire, Wednesday afternoon,
ct Newburg. The building was 900 feet
tirely of stone. Two large wings had
but just been completed, at cost of
S300,00 These increased the capacity
of the institution to 60U patients, that
number being on the books at the time
of the disaster. The crowded condition
OF the asylum was owing to the fact that
there were 150 patients from the central
Ohio district.
It was hoped that the flames might be
extinguished without creating alarm
among the multitude of inmates. In
the course of fifteen or twenty minutes
it was found that in spite of every effort
the flames had worked downward, and
we're rapidly spreading through the up
per story of the building in every direc
tion. Orders were given for the imme-
diate removal of the patients. The
scenes that ensued during the next hour
almost defy descri ption. The officers
and attendants made haste to unlock tho
doors of the wards and cells, and direct
ed the inmates to leave the building. A
portion of them complied promptlY, aud
even rendered valuable assistance ia the
rssoue of others. Some of the unfortu-
mates were appalled, with terror, nnd be-
came absolutely frantic, uttering piero-
ing shrieks and cries. The extreme diff
iculty Of controlling GOO lunatics, under
such circumstances, can be imagined.
Many resolutely refused to leave their
cells, concealing themselves in closets or
under their beds. In many ms ances it
wns found necessary to pull them out of
their hiding places by main force. In
several cases suoh stout resistance was
made that the strength of two or three
men was required to overcome single
patient. In few of the worst cases
they struggled fearfully, fighting and re-
sisting with almost superhuman power
Some of them insisted on tuking with
them oil their clothing, bedding. and ar
ticles of every kind One man tied up
an immense bundle, that would have
staggered a pack-horse, and was vainly
| tugging to lift it from the floor. He had
to be actually torn from it by two men
| The female patients were even moro diff
ticult to manage than the males, some
making all haste to escape aud others re-
fusing to leave their cells Scores OF
them were taken by force. Several pa
tients, after being set at liberty in the
grounds, rushed back into the burning
building, to be again borne struggling
out. Farther from the centre the wards
%oTs generally cleared before the fire
women from the village and the region
| o1 to 1,r
the work of rescuing the patients
Shortly before 2 o'clock. n terrible ca
sualty occurred. Near the centre dome
was tank containing 5000 gallons of
water, kept full for the supply of the
building. Tho supports of the tank
having given away, it fell, the great
weight carrying it down to the basement.
crashing through all tho intermediate
floors. Miss Mary Walker, O seamstress
in the institution, was upon the third
floor. The falling mass passed near her,
tearing up tho floor under her feet. In
some way, her limbs got fast in the de-
driS, and it was impossible for her to ex
tricato herself. The fire which had been
carried down by the falling tank bazed
up through the opening, aud she was
quickly enveloped in flame
| About the grounds, tho scene was one
Of the widest confusion. GOO insane
men and women were scattered abont,
many of them screaming and rushing
through the crowd. AS soon US possible,
an effort was made to gather them toge-
ther and care for them as we'll "a posi-
BILE under the circumstances. The peo-
pie of Newburg did nobly, throwing
open their houses for the reception of
the sick, who had been all safely carried
out on beds, and such others rs we're
harmless.
The majority of the patients wcro col
ectcd and removed in wagons to the
churches in the village, all of which
were thrown open to them Considera-
bic difficulty was experienced in remov-
ing them from the grounds. Some had
to be forced into tho vehicle by main
strength. Pale. haggard and wild, bent
ing the mir and ruving incoherentIy,
moaning and weeping. tutoring manacal
laughs, or sitting in sullen silence, these
uniortunates presented spectacle that
moved the stoutest hearts. BY O'Clock,
all had been removed to the village or
neighboring houses. Few had sufficient
reason to comprehend the events of the
duy. Some crouched down in terror,
others raved wiluiy, or INDUCED in sing.
ing, laughing, crying, shouting or swear
| ing, the whole uniting to form terrible