The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-11-18

| LIFTS sTATEMRxT-sHOCKfNG SCENES IN
AND AROUND TIE CONSUMED HOSPITAL.
ST. PAUL, MryN., November 1G.-A buIle.
| tin from 81. Peter says: "The number OF
lives lost by burning and freezing at the
Insane Asylum Is variously estimated al
from twenty 10 fifty"
The whole catastrophe II beartrending
one. The poor dszed inmates Of the asy.
lum 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 attempted 10 save them. The
al. was bitterly cold, and the poor wretches,
with haIi.naktd bodies and bleeding feet.
were rushing about, hiding 10 alleys and
dark corners for some time. The ca
paciiy OF the building has been tried
TO its utmost. There were about six
hundred patients, and every inch OF
space was utilized. What will be done with
these poor creatures, turned out in the cold
and their malady increased by the excite
ment OF the OCCASION, Is serious question.
There are two other buildings situated IN
the town which are used. but they are al
ready crowded TO their full capacity. The
asylum at Rochester is full, and will doubt
less be unable to provide accommodations
for any Of AIe inmates at ST. Peter turned
out in the cold by the terrible catastrophe.
DIFFICULTY IN CLEARING THE BUILDING.
Another special says: While the flames
were slowly progressing the matron OF the
female department made all haste to get the
inmates out, and many OF them ran shrek.
ing into the sDOw.drifis in their night
clothes, even buryIDg themselves in the
snow, and had TO be dragged into the barns
and sheds, while those near by wrapped
blankets and sbawIs around them. Hence
intense suffering could not be avoided,
as they bad to be taken about fif-
teen or twenty rods through the snow
to the nearest shelter, which was on
bill immediately in the rear OF the south
wing. The actual number OF burned cam
not be got 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 premises. Several
ladies were taken out Of some OF the rooms
and halls. and several persons were got out
into the halls, wien they seemed deter
mined to return TO the flames. One room,
occupied by TWO men, was broken into, and
while one OF the occupants had TO be drag
ged out, the other was determined to re-
main in his warm bed, and, when dragged
out, he insisted on waiting TO he dressed.
An old man named Adams, brought here
from Minneapolis, was taken out dead.
The principal cause OF delay in getting
stream Of water On the fire from the hos
piial hose arose from he fact that it bad not
been in uSe for 80 long that it required 10 be
wet from end TO end on the outside with hot
water. Meantime The flames spread very
rapidly from the basement, filling the balls
completely full OF smoke and making 1t i'm
possible to do anything at saving the inmates
OF the north wing only by putting up lad
ders and pryiDg off fire screens from doors,
taking the occupants out and actually carry
lug them d)wn-wthout clothing in many
cases. Al some Of the windows there were
three or four begging TO be saved from
death. while the flames were bursting from
the adjoining windows at them. One poor
fellow was dragged through balf-open
screen and badly maDgIed. Assistance has
been teleeraphed for 10 Rochester, MIMI,
and st. Paul for food, clothing, and shelter
for the men. Two thirds OF the hospital is
saved. The walls Of the burned part are
standing entire.
GUESSING AT THE CASUALTIES.
a special at O'Clock this afternoon says
it is still difficult 10 get at the names and par
ticuIars of the disaster. a list OF those
killed and hurt Is not now obtainable. DIR.
Bartlett. superintendent OF the asylum, says
that there are not more than twelve lives
lost and probably as many more hurt and
suffering from the bitter cold OF last night.
Indeed, more people are believed to be in
jured and dying from exposure TO the
weather than from burns. Other people
say that as many as twenty insane people
either persisted in the flames or died
on the cold hills during the night. So many
patients have disappeared that it cannot be
told who are dead and who ran away. The
SOLDERING has been terrible. Hundreds OF
the patients are as helpless as children, and
are seemingly shocked and daZed 80 as TO
render them almost inse nsIbe. Governor
PilIsbury heads a band OF wOl kers who are
doing everything possible for the comfort
of the distressed. Tie Governor says he
can make gemeDis for the accommoda-
ton OF most OF the insane al st. Peter in
the hOspital-houses.
Mr.. Carson, OF Minneapolis, has found
the dead body of his father-in-law, MIR.
Abrams.
The damage to the hospital building will
amount 10 100000. The ruins are being
overhaued as fast as possible in the search
for the dead. The officers Of the institu-
ton are making every effort to discover the
whereabouts Of missing patients and to
take care OF those still here. Arrangements
will be perfected before the night closes by
which all will be comfortably cared fol-
The telegraph-ofiice here is oyeicrowded
with messages from all parts Of the State
and the greatest difficulty is met in receiv
| ing or sending any news. II is impossible
| to get any names tonight.
THE NUMBER OF DEAD ABOUT TEN.
CHICAGO. November IA dispatch from
| st. Paul, Mimi says Congressman Strait
president OF the Board Of Trustees OF the
st. Peter Insane Asslum, telegraphed tC
the Pioneer Press at midnight that the
number OF dead will not exceed ten. An
other CORE. poDdent estimates The number
at from ten 10 fifteen.
The inmates are now being returned tc
their homes.
Fire I'm Mobile.
MOBILE, ALA, November ia fire
started this morning in the grocery.store al