Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-11-17

Minnesota Insane Asylum Burned.-Los.
100000.
CHICAGO, ILL.,, November l6 The fire Al
the State insane asylum at St. Peters, MIMI,
last night, proves to have been a terrible dis,
aster. Only one wing Of the building was
burned. The whole structure, vhichv& ten
years in erection, was finished three years
ago at a cost Of sjOo,OOO. The loss is
$4,000. Reports Of the loss Of life vary
from two or three to fifty, but no bodies were
found, and no one was surely discovered as
missing. When danger became imminent
the superintendent ordered release Of all
patients, and it il probable in the confusion
some were overlooked and burned. This
probability is increased BY the fact that some
rooms we're quickly filled with smoke and
could not be entered BY the rescuers. There
were Csc patients in the hospital last year
The inmates were cared for after the fire by
citizens. Some took advantage of the con-
fusion TO run away, while others wandered
aimiessly.
ST. PAUL, Mimi, November Ii. A bull
letin TO the Pioneer Press, from ST. Peters,
says: Number of lives lost by the burning
and freezing of patients at the insane asylum
fire is variously estimated at from 20 10 p
Loss on buildings 100000.
A special saws: The scenes at the fire
al. no lin - zT.rlN,
has rarely been witnessed. The patients in
the annex wing were males. Many of them
refused to leave the building at all and ran
up and down the halls screaming and crying.
Those who could neither be coaxed nor
forced out of the building were those who
were suffocated or suffered horrible death
IN the flames. The others were saved, some
by ladders and some by leaping from the
windows. Some were nearly nude, some
shoeless and hauess, and all exposed to an
exceedingly cold night. They were TO be
seen in all directions, flying in wild fright
from those who attempted to save them. The
air was bitter cold and the poor wretehes,
with half naked bodies and bleeding feet,
were flying about and hiding in allies and
dark corners. There were about GOO patients
in the building and every inch of space was
utilized. What will be done with those
sdNtu, tntlr IildlauN lHCTeaSeu pN the eN-
citement of this occasion, is now a serious
question.
A list of those killed and hurt is not now
obtainable. The superintendent of the
asylum SAYS there are not more than twelve
lives lost and probably as many more hurt
More people were I'M ured and died from ex-
posture to the weather than from the fire. So
many patients have disappeared that it cannot
be told who are killed. Suffering has been
terrible. Hundreds of patients are as help
less as children and almost rsensible.
Gov. Pillsbury says he can make arrange
ments for accommodation of most of the
insane in hospitals and houses. Actual
damage to hospital building is 100000.
Ruins are being overhauled in search of
bodies. Officers are making every effort to
discover the whereabouts of those missing
Mammoth City in Ashes.
SAN FRANcIsco, Cal. November l6. A
Bodie despatch states that Mammoth City
was destroyed by fire, Sunday. No par
ticulars.
Box and Single Mills Destroyed.
Abingdon, Mass, November l6. Gideon
Studley's box and shingle mill at Rockland
were burned tonight. They were full of
sawed logs and boards. Loss $1,000; partly
insured. Machinery is total wreck.
Newport, Arkansas, in Flames.
NEWPORT, Ark, November lG. Two
thirds of the buildings in town were destroyed
by fire last night. Two hundred families
are homeless and distress is very great. Loss
5000, 900.