The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1884-12-24
ORPHAN ASYLUM FIRE.
Tie 0harred Remains Of Thirteen Per-
sons Have Been Taken From
the Ruins.
or tho $50 Boys In the building ut the
Time OF the Flro 65s Only Are
Accounted For-122 Are
Still Missing.
A TERRIBLE SCENE.


BROOKLYN, N. Y, December 49, ABBOTT
three o'clock yesterday afternoon fire
broke out In the drying room in the build
ing adjoining the right wing on the south
ern end of the Catholic Male Orphan
Asylum at the corner Of St. Marks and
Albany Avenues, and was quickly commu-
nicated to the main building, structure
2lOx150 feet which was almost entirely
destroyed. The part In which the fire
originated contained the boilers, heating
appliances, ETC., and on the third-noor was
the dormitory in which were sixty Of the
orphan inmates Of the asylum, whose ages
ranged from six to ten years. They were
suffering from various complaints and
whether OF not all were rescued cannot be
known until the children, who are scattered
about the neghborhood, are counted. The
impression now prevails that some Of them
have been burned to death.
Sister Josephine, who was in the dormi-
tory when the fire broke out made heroic
efforts to get the frightened children out Of
the building and by so doing sacrificed
her life. She remained In the room until
the flames had nearly surrounded her, when
she ran to window and climbed out upon
q cornice.
Meanwhile the fremen had entered an
other part of the building and began pour
ing water upon the flames. Foreman Nc
Groarty, of Engine Company No. 4, saw
sister Josephine, and being unable to reach
her with his hands, extended his coat TO
her from window in the wing. She caught II
and loosening her hold on tlle cornlce swung
toward McGroarty. The coat slipped from
her grasp and she fell to the ground, strik-
Ing upon her shoulder and head, and was
conveyed In an unconscious state TO ST.
Catharine's Hospital.
Joseph Ryan, boy who was upon the
same floor, attempted TO descend by the lad
der. When within ten feet of the ground,
the ladder broke, and he was severely In.
jured by falling. John McGrath, eight
years old jumped from one of the third
story windows and was also badly hurt
Sister De Chantel, the Mother Superior,
was in her Office when tile alarm was given.
She quickly dispatched her assistants To
various parts OF the building and notified
the fire department. There were 7S5 or.
phans In the institution, and the greatest
excitement prevailed among them. The
Sisters made every effort TO get the children
out OF the building as quickly as possible,
directing them to go 10 any house IN the
neighborhood and remain until called for.
Hundreds Of the little fellows ran out into
the storm screaming and crying, most OF
them being without coats or hats.
There were about thirty Sisters 10 the
asylum, nearly all Of whom went out with
the throng OF boys, but II was impossible to
keep the children together. About 100
took refuge in the Bergen Street Railway
car stables, and nearly every house, store
and saloon in the vicinity was filled with
them.
Edward Hasslett, the City Supervisor OF
Hydrants who was passing the asylum at
the time the fire broke out, together with
several others who were In the vicinity, In
Guiding Bergen Street car conductor who
left his car for the purpose, rendered yalu-
able assistance in rescuing the inmates from
the burning building. Mr.. Hasslett is OF
the opinion that tile fle could have been
checked had tie fire department been more
prompt In reaching the scene, 1t being fully
twenty minutes after the alarm was given
before the second engine came
George Irish. twenty-five years Of age, n
truckman, living near the asylum, ran 10
the building when the fire was discovered
and procuring ladder placed II TO one Of
the second.stOry windows. He mounted the
ladder and handed down seven boys, when
bystanders seeing his danger shouted 10
him TO come down. The flames were then
bursting out Of the windows beneath him
and II was with great difficulty that Irish
reached the ground, his clothing being
nearly burned from his body and his hands
and face burned and bllstered. From other
| windows In various parts OF the building
| little boys were being taken out by brave
men, while miny little fellows dlsregardlng
the commands Of their rescuers 10 remain
where they were for moment longer,
threw themselves headlong TO the ground.
| Tie most Of them sustained little or no In
jury.
Several people who watched the progress
OF the flames, say they are certain that all
OF the boys did not get out OF the burning
building and are also sure that they saw a
woman who attempted TO reach q window
fall back Into the flames.
BY the time the firemen reached the
burning structure II was apparent that the
building could not be saved, and they con
fined all their energies to resculng the in
mates while the lire was having full sway
Sister Anthony, through whose efforts n
least one hundred boys were enabled "a
escape, was badly burned about the face
and hands. One OF the boys who escaped
from the building said the fire was caused
by one Of the orphans going into the drying
room with lighted candle, which acci
IDENTIFY touched some clothes hanging up0I
line. In an instant the fire blazed ~
and the boys ran out rs fast as possible
Two firemen were severely Injured by fall
ing from ladders, one being knocked dow
by piece Of cornce which fell from tn
roof.
At one time II was thought that the from
part OF the building might be saved but q
eight o'clock ut night the flame
had reached the cupola and tn
tall, guilt cross surm0untlng II
As their supports weakened, they swaye'
10 and fro for short time and then cam
down with crash. The scenes In tn
neighborhood Of the burning building wer
heartrendIng. Men and women, cryln
aloud were running In every direction an,
iOus for the safety OF relatives. YeSterda
was visitors day" at the asylum, and
number OF ladies were In the building whe
the fire broke out
AT midnight the fire was still burnIn