Morris tribune., 1880-11-25
DIRE CALAMITY.

Burning Of the Minnesota Insane Asylum
full Loss of Life.
The Minnesota hospital for the insane, locat-
ed at st. Peter, Nicollet county, was discovered
to be on fire between z and o'clock on tie
evening of the l5tA. The fire began in the
laundry in the basement of the
north wing, and considering the substantial
character of the building spread with great
rapidity.
The asylum is located full mile from the
city proper, and the first news of the
contiagration was given by DR.. Bartlett, super
intendent of the asylum, who telephoned from
the main to the temporary hospital, the latter
building being in the heart of the city. The
alarm WAS then inside general and the hand tile
engine was hastened to the scene of the conha-
CARTON while the populace turned out en-
masse.
Aid was summoned both from st. Paul and
Mankato. special train was started prompt
ly from MankatO with an engine and 100 men,
but in st. Paul there was great delay in secur-
ing transportation, and it was a. m. before
the train with steamer, hose cart and equip
ments left the st. Paul depot.
Meantime q terrible scene was in pro gress at
the asylum. The patients already crazed were
made doubly 30 by the alarm and excitement
of the fire. The citizens gathered by the
hundred and though terror stricken at the idea
Of several hundred lunatics being turned
loose upon the community, worked manfully to
save the patients. The wing in which
the hre was raging was occupied
entirely by males, some of whom were found
utterly ungovernab.e. Window gratings were
broken and ladders erected to bring the victims
out. As many as possible we're brought down
the stairways. The hall doors and all means
of exit were thrown open and two OF three
hundred availed themselves CT the opportunity
to secure their liberty. How many refused to
leave may never be known. The first
reports Indicate that forty or fifty lost
their lives, but the later advices may reduce
this.
Those who escaped were in pitiable condi-
tion, and lily prepared for the winter expos
ure. Many of them were almost naked, bare
foot and hatless, and probably as many as were
burned to death will be found to have perished
by exposure. With the characteristics of in
sane people they sought dark alleys, out-build-
ings, and by ways throughout the city. Some
took to the woods and very likely will never be
heard from again. There was no means of Sc
curing or caring for them, and they roamed at
will. The death list from exposure, when add
ed to those destroyed by fire, will make fear
full aggregate.
The flames appear to have been confined to
the wing where they originated, though at one
time it was thought that the whole magnificent
structure would be utterly destroyed.
While the flames were in progress, VIM.
Schimmel, secretary of the board of trustees,
telegraphed Gov. Pillsbury for aid in caring
for the burned out patients. The Governor
called upon the railroad for cars and secured
the promise of transportation to remove the
afflicted to st. Paul and Minneapolis, or uch
portion of them as could not be cared for at
St. Peter.
The building was begun in 1866, and was
planned on such a magnificent scale that it
cost over half a million to complete it. Ithad
capacity for 65U patients and for months has
been full to OVERLOOKING. The loss to the State
is total thera being insurance on the build
ing or furniture. How it originated is still
mystery and may never be known, but be that
as it may, the flames did effectiYe service.
Gen. PIlIsbury promptly visited the scene
of the disaster on the morning of the 18th. As
many as possible were accommodated in the
main building and south wing which escaped
the destroying element. Temporary habitations
were also found for many while those who mad
escaped or psrished lessened the number to be
g., Z Ill Il
fore the loss of life can be known and
it is not certain that it will ever be fully as
certained. The deaths by exposure will probably
leave it matter of doubt forever, as to the
exact number who perished in the flames.
When the helpless and dangerous character
of the inmates is considered, and the multitude
of friends scattered far and wide, utterly pow
erless to aid, is taken into the account. the
calamity is the greatest which ever befel the
State.