The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-11-17
g
BURNING OF An INSANE ASYLUM IL
MINNESOTA.
IndescrIbabiy Fearrul situation At the
Firc-Numerous Lives Lost, and The
MaIady Increased In all Cases
No Provision Made for the
HoaseleSs Inmates
BURNING orTHE rAlasANE
ASYLUM.


says: "a number OF lives were lost b,
burning and freezing in the Insane Asy
lum, and is variously estimated at from
twenty to fifty. The loss on the buildinl
is 100000"
A special dated at a. NJ, says
"Ths scenes at the burning OF the soutl
wing Of the hospital were heartrendipg IL
the extreme. So appalling sight ha
rarely been witnessed, and we trust ma,
never be again. The patients in the an
mex wing were males, and many OF then
refused 10 leave the building at all. TheI
ran up and down the balls screaming anG
crying, and acting like bedlamites. They
were, OF course, those who could not be
coaxed nor forced out Of the building, and
became unhappy victims of the flames
and sufocated in the pit OF the flames.
Others were saved. some by ladders and
some by leaping from the windows. Some
were nearly nude, some shoeless and hat.
less, aud oil were exposed to the exceed.
ing cold OF the night Many OF the poor
demented and cTazsd inmates fled as II
for their lives and could not be oyertaken
to confne. Their suferings in this frightul
condition can better be imagined than
described. The whole catastrophe Is
fearful to contemplate, and impossible to
describe. The poor daZsd inmates OF the
asylum who had escaped the flames, were
at large, half clothed, and were to be seen
in all directions flying in wild fright from
those who were attempting to save them.
The cir was bitter cold, and the poor
wretChes with half naked bodies, and
bleeding feet, were flying about, hiding In
alleys and dark corners. 1t was 0 sight
once seen never to be forgotten.
For some time the capacity OF the build.
ing has been tried to its utmost. There
were about six hundred patients, and
every inch Of space utilized. What will be
done with these poor creatures, turned
out in the cold and their malady increased
by the excitement Of the occasion, is q
serious question. There are two other
buildings situated in the town which are
used but are already crowded to their
full capacity. The asylum at Rochester ia
full and will doubtless be unable to pro.
vide accommodations Tor any OF the in
mates at st. Peter.
Another special says that while the
flames were slowly progressing, the matron
OF the female department made all haste
to get the inmates ont, and many Of them
ran shrieking in their night clothes in the
snow drifts, even burying themselves in
the snow and had TO be dragged
in barns and sheds, while those
near by wrapped blankets and shawls
around them, hence intense suffering
couldn't be avoided as they had to be
taken about fifteen ortwenty rods through
snow to the nearest station, which was on
q hill Immediately in the rear OF the south
wing;yet when weturn to the male apart.
ments our blood runs cold as we gaze into
those burning walls and realize what was
the doom Of more than one poor dement,
ed man. Tonight these were crowded
into the long corridors OF the southern
wing, where they stood moaning and
shivering like poor dumb brutes.
The actual number burned cannot be
gotten at in any way at the present time,
as many are known to have wandered
away in the intense excitement that pre-.
vailed throughout the whole premises
Several bodies were taken out OF some OF
the rooms and halls. Several persons
were gotten out into the halls, when they
would seem determined to return to the
flames. One room occupied by two was
broken open, and while one was dragged
out the other was determined 10 remain
in her warm bed, and when dragged out
insisted on waiting to be dressed.
An old man named Adams was taken
out dead. The engine telegraphed for from
st. Paul did not arrive, II at all, in time
to do any good. There were about six
hundred patients in all at the asylum.
The flames spread very rapidly from the
basement, filling the halls completely full
Of smoke and making 1t impossible to do
anything at saving the inmates Of the
north wing, only by putting up
ladders and prying of the fire
screens from the doors, taking them out
and actually bringing them down In their
arms without clothing in a number OF
cases. While at other windows there
were three or four begging 10 be saved
from death while the flames we're busGting
from the adjoining windows. One poor
fellow was dragged through half open
screen and badly mangled. One fireman
was also badly injured by the Mankato
company's force pump, the handle OF
which struck him on the shoulder; also q
St. Peter man injured by falling on the
steps in the main hall,
Assistance has been telegrGphed for to
Rochester, Mimi, and st. Paul for food,
and shelter for the men. The
fire is under control and two.thirds OF the
hospital saved entire. The walls OF the
burnt part are standing entire. Two
MankatS hose carts arrived by special
train about II o'clock, and the boys have
done splendid work, but will not leave
until the fire is completely out.
ST. PAUL, November l6,-A special from
st. Peters at 3 P. N. says that it Is still dif.
fcult TO get at the names and particulars
OF the awful calamity that came upon ne
last night, as all Is terror and excitement,
and the grim ruin and slowly rising
smoke strike the heart as sullen remind.
ers OF the shocking fires. To get at the
complete list OF those killed and hurt ia
not now among the possibilities.
have Just seen DR.. Bartlett, of the Asy.
lum, and he says there are not more than
twelve lives lost, and probably as many
nOE6 uuIb huu euuSIlhS AOh tue pALteL
cold Of last night, indeed, more people
are believed TO be hurt and dying from ex-
posurs TO the weather than from burns re-
ceived last night.
Other people say that as many aa
twenty insane people either perished in
the flames or died on the cold, hills dur.
ing the night. So many Of the patients
have disappeared that It cannot be told
who are dead and who are away. The
suffering has been terrible, and no pen
can describe, or human mind realize It
A hundred patients are as helpless Al
children, and are seemingly shocked and
dazsd go as to render them almost insensi
Gov. PiIlsbury heads the band OF nobl,
workers, who are doing everything posi-
BILE for the comfort OF the distressed. Thu