The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1879-01-30
Lunatics Let Loose.

ST. JOSEPH. No.. January 25.-Ihe
buildings of the lunatic asylum No. .,
about mile from this city. were com
pletcly destroyed by fire to-day. The
fire was discovered about noon in the
drying room Of the laundry. in room
in the second story III which no fire had
been for the past two days.
DR.. Catlett, the Superintendent, was
In his office with the steward. and they
Immediately put every man 70 work TO
extingaish the flames. The Babcock
FIRE cxtinguishers were out of order and
as there was no engine on the premises.
the buildings were left absolutely at the
mercy of the flames. The building was
in the form # cross and the fire was
in the eastern extension and burned
quite slowly. The citizens Of st. ,jo-
seph went ont 10 the scene in large num-
bers with the hook and ladder company
and all efforts were directed 10 the saw
ing of the inmates. Of whom there were
2l7. : me of them obstinaiely refusing
10 leave the building. but i, i believed
that all were got out safely and placed
under guard in an enclosure IN the
premises Considerable furniture IN the
main building was saved, but IL a dam
aged condition The patients We're
brought to the city and placed in the
new courthouse. very large aud Tooniy
structure, whore every care and atten-
tion is shown them by the board of ,an-
ayers and citizens.
Three patients escaped. one of whom
was seen seven miles from town. running
towards his home. without coat or hat
ami Yelling fire Another. Il German.
was captured at night at the railroad
dep {. lnquir!ng for a ticket To rer;na-
ny. One woman. a Mrs. Lawrence. If
Holt county. and Mr.. Bower, of Stew
artsviIe. are vet missing.
4 meeting { the board of managers
has been held. at which steps were Ia
ken for all needed supplies { r the in-
mates The ard of trade sent dele
gates to The managers. while tile work.
ingnen. and other organizations. also
med with the Delegates Il proflered
their services and assistance in every
way.
Tonight beds aud clothing have been
provided for all the patients and all ~ill
be made comfortable. The weather j.
very mild and all the citizens have in
teresied themselves in supplying the
wants the managers.
The asylum cost about $3.50 900. but
"a the walls are still standing aud appa-
rcntIy unframed. . better strnrture can
pr. baby be put there for one-half the
money. The fire was burning fully i've
hours before the last room Was licked
mp BIZ the flames. There was 20. dol |
lar of insurance IN any If the -saie'-
pr perry.
The bard Of managers have just |
passed a rpsolu,ion ip-trgofing their /
President. Mr. v ries. 10 report MI The /
facts H. the General Assenibi, and ask /
I a committee 10 th roughly inyosii- (.
gate sill circumstances connected with 4
the fire.
DR. CatIcti. the Superintendent, lost /
nearly al his private furniture. Inelud- I
ing costly plan. which was wedgea in 4
one If the halls in the cpnfasi u and /
c uld rot be exfricated.
Al the rec rtis and books II The 10
s,ifuii were saved. Al Of the en- I
ployes lost their RI thing asd sums Of 4
money. Mis- McCsrd. the IanndfesS.
81 all her cloth, Q and seven hundred +
dollars in money Mrs.. Calhoun. the 4
matron. LOST all her clothing and * /
hundred dollar in iaosay. The engin- 1
Ger sost all his clothing. fine gold watch /
and three hundred dollar IN money. +
Every eInploye worked up 10 The last I
moment in saving the patients and odd !
not 60 TO their rooms io secuTe their +
.yaiYlaifIe-