The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1880-11-18
A Portion Of the Maglif,
cent Insane Asylum De-
StrOyGd by Fire.
A LARGE NUMBER OF
INMATES BURNED.
The Mankato Fire Department to
the Rescue, who did Timely
and Efficient Work.
Tho Particulars.

Monday night, the fire bell rang out
shrill and sharp upon the frosty air,
calling together in hot haste, the
entire fire department, who, upon
assembling, learned that the Insane
Asylum located near st. Peter was
burning and they wanted aid. Hastily
pulling out their hose carts and
engine, the boys started on the run
for tho Northwestern depot and
placed them upon q car that was in
waiting, and which were Immediately
hurried forward to the scene of dis
aster. Arriving, the boys found the
whole west wing of the Asylum in
flames and the main part seriously
threatened. The hose was strung out.
the engine put to work and the boys
maintained their dangerous position
until every vestage of the fire had
disappeared and the main building
saved, The origin of the fire is yet
unknown but is supposed to have
been caused by the bursting of a gas.
pipe in the basement.
The scene in many particulars was
beyond description, as the hundreds
OF inmates, some half naked, others
entirely 80, went screaming along the
corridors, either attempting to escape
or battling all attemps at rescue.
Many fled to the woods, shivering
with cold, and there probably per.
ished, while others stood and were
consumed in the fiery furnace.
Tuesday morning, the spot, where
but a day before stood one of the fin.
est State buildings. was a scene of
chaos and smoking ruins. Icicles
hung in picturesque grandeur from
the ruined walls and timbers, while
the ground for rods around were lit.
tered with bricks, clothing, bedding,
&c.
II. B. Strait, president of the Board
of Trustees, reports the loss Oh the
building at $l00, 900, and only few
lives actually lost. Details of men
were sent out in all directions to find
the strayed, while efficient aid from
the various cities provided accommo-
dations for them. The loss of life is
sad to contemplate, while the loss
upon the building will serve as suf-
ficient reprimand for the niggardness
in not appropriating a sufficient sum
to keep up 4 proper insurance.
Before closing, we want to express
the sentiments of al, to the fact that
the fire department of this city.
headed by chief engineer Pay, are
entitled to the credit of saving the
main building, and as such should be
recognized by the proper authorities.
We append also what the Globe
and Pioneer-Press says of the boys:
and IL o'clock. At this time the fire was nj
It's height, and IL seemed a. II the entire
building had to go. The brave and heroic
efforts OF the fireman and citizens kept the
flames from reaching the cornice OF the CEN
tire building, and this Is all that saved II from
Observation-Disclosures.
am not simply surprised, am astonished
beyond measure, at the wonderful address Of
the 81. Peter fire company, Union No. I, and
marked efficiency of Mankato engine COM
pany, Superior No. 2. Both these companies
toiled like heroes as they were, and through
their efforts the main part Of the building was
saved wish had their names, every one
OF them, for publication. Nothing more
worthy OF honor or laurel wreathes has ever
been accomplished by any organization, mil
itary or civic. They pulled their old-fashion-
ed hand-engines two miles over the prairie, in
the face Of a bitter wintry blast, and worked
all night enveloped In icicles In the hope of
saving few precious, though clouded lives.
Ihoy succeeded admirably, and have placed
themselves at the head Of their calling
Pioneer fress