The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-07-11
The Dauphin County Aims House
Totally Destroyed by Fire.

HARRIsBU RG, July 2.-The several
buildings comprising the Dauphin
County poorhouse, with the barn
and other outbuildings, were entirely
consumed by fire this afternoon.
The buildings comprised two large
three-story brick structures, set at
right angles. Another three-story
brick building stood in the rear,
which was occupied by insane pa
tients. A two-story brick building
in the rear of this was the wash
house. The large barn, situated so
feet from the other building, and
various smaller outbuildings were
also consumed, leaving the site on
which the beautiful and costly group
of public buildings were located a
barren waste. Most of the furniture
in the buildings and all the contents
of the barn were consumed, includ-
ing one horse and five mules. The
loss is variously estimated at from
100000 to $4,000. There is an
insurance of between s25,0O0 and
$4,000 on the property.
The fire originated in the barn,
though no one seems able to fix the
cause, even by conjecture. 1t was
first discovered at about one o'clock,
when workmen in an adjoining field
detected smoke issuing from the
roof. The building and contents
were very inflammable and were
soon a mass of ruins. The building
used for the custody and care of
tramps was next to fall a prey, and
sparks from this soon communicated
with the main building. The super
as well as all available
force, turned attention to the remov-
al of the insane and other patients
from the burning building. This
was successfully accomplished,
though at the expense of much offort
and great pains. Several of the
women fought like furies against
being taken out, and they were
finally forced from the building.
Nobody was hurt during all the ex-
element, and it was not until every
body was out of the house and
count was made that
ONE POOR HELPLESS WOMAN.
was found to be badly burned. She
nad been carried out and laid in the
ield, and a large spark fell on her
setting fire to them and
burning her limbs badly. She was
AIKEN to the hospital. 1t was a pitt
,ul sight to see the old and decrepit |
ooking vainly at their home, for it |
vas their home, burning before them.
They sat around on old trunks and
,exes. the oldest in the arm chair
hat had been carried in from the
building, and wrapped in anything
hat could be caught up in the mo-
nent. They presented a very desc
ute sight. Some of the Older ones
we're laid on the edge of the hay
ocks which were shaped to give
hem a soft bed. Some of the rheu-
natic patients screamed with pain
While lying nnder the trees, and the
walls of one colored woman could be
leard above the shouts of the fire.
men. Women with little infants
for meal sat on the bare
round and seemed to enjoy their
as they were stared at by
he crowd.
Several idiots were attempting to
xplain how the house was burned,
nd deaf and dunn boy tried his
,est TO make himself understood
With his excited mumbling. A crazy
Woman importuned Mr.. Reem to
atch the author OF the fire and throw
lim in the building, and she uolun-
eered to help. One old woman, who
lad been confined to bed for four
ears with the rheumatism, screamed
With pain from the depth of hay
,ed and warned everybody not to
'ome near her. The policeman final
y put the crowd back and the suff-
rers were not molested further by
he crowd. The flames ate their way
through the roof to the third story
downward, their progress being ac-
by loud explosions as the
late was forced out and the tin
ornice was blown off. Occasionly
portion of the wall would fall with
report like cannon.
A DEFECTIVE WATER SUPPLY.
The buildings are situated three
niles from this city, and on the first
.larm detail of police and the fire
department. ofthe city were dispatch
d to the scene, but unfortunately
he supply of water was very slow
nd had to be carried too far to be of {
my use.
There were in the almshouse 1S5 {,
inmates, of whom q females and
Z males were insane. Some ofthose
we're gotten out, 1t was afterward {
earned, came directly to Harrisburg,
where they were cared for. The
luge three-story building had burn
d down to the first story by 2
''clock, and while the walls were
landing the whole interior was
furnace, and the was full of
lying sparks, cinders and thick
lack smoke. Arrangements were
made to shelter the poor tonight. ;
hey will be disposed ofin the sur '
county almshouse until a /
lew house is built. {
The origin of the fire could not be
earned.
Superintendent Reem says that
II of the men were away from the
arm but one colored man, and it is
'ossible he may have been smoking
pipe, spark from which ignited
he combustibles in the barn. He =,
oes not charge this, however, and is {
nclined to think that careful in ,
estigation will lead to finding some ,
ther cause.