The Portland daily press., 1880-11-17
TERRIBLE DISASTER.
Burning of a Western Lunatio
Asylum.
ABOUT TWENTY OF THE INMATES
BURNED TO DEATH.

CHICAGO, Nov 16.-The fire at the State In
sane Asylum at ST. Peters, Mimi, last night,
proves to have been terrible disaster attend
ed with loss of life. Only one wing of the
building was burned. The whole structure.
which was ten years in erection. was finish ed
three years ago at cost of S500,000. The loss
by the fire is $150,000 The reports of the loss
of life vary from to or three to fifty but no
bodies have been found, and no one has been
surely discovered as missing. When the dan
ger from the fire became imminent the Super
intendept ordered the release of all the pa
tients, and it is probable that in the confusion
some were overlooked and burned. The prob
ability is increased by the fact that some rooms
were quickly filled with smoke and could not
be entered by the rescuers. The inmates We're
cared for after the fire by citizens. 1t is
thought that come took advantage of the con-
fusion to run away, while others wandered
aimlessly.
A St. Paul bulletin to the Pioneer Press
from ST. Peters, says the number of lives lost
by the burning and freezing of patients at the
Insane Asylum fire is variously estimated at
from 20 to 25. Loss on the building 100000.
The special says the scenes at the fire were
heartrending. So appalling sight has rarely
been witnessed. The patients in the annex
wing were ma es Many of them refused ito
leave the building tat all and ran up and
down the halls screamil g 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 windows. Some were nearly
nude some shoeless and hatless and all expos
ed to an exceedingly cold night. The inmates
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 wretches
with half naked bodies and bleeding feet were
flying about and hiding in alleys and dark
corners. There were about 600 patients in the
building, and every inch of space was utilized.
malady increased by the excitement of the oc-
casion, is now serious question.
special from ST. Peters at p. M, says it
is still difficult to get at the names and partic-
ulars of the calamity, and list of those
killed and hurt is not now attainable. The
superintendent of the asylum says there are
more than twelve lives lost and probably as
many more hurt. More people are believed to
be injured and dying from exposure to the
weather Shan from the fire. 1t is otherwise
stated that 20 persons either perished in the
flames or died of cold. So many patients dis
appeared that it cannot be told who were kill
ed. The suffering has been terrible. Humid
reds of the patients are as helpless as children
| and almost insensible. Gov. PillSbury says he
can make arrangements for the accommoda-
tion Of most of the insane in no pitfalls and
houses. The actual damage to the hospital
building is about 5000, 600. The ruins are be-
ing overhanled in search of bodies and the
officers are making every effort to discover the
| whereabouts of the missing.
i