The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1884-11-07
FIRE AT THE PENfTENTIARy.
A Lean-to Burned and the Building In
Peril,

At $50 last Friday fierce gale was blow
ing from the West. A frame vsnsered lean.
TO, about 1sx22, has been used Is . cook-house
for the prison. 1t was built against the exits
rior Of the west wall of the wing, and the
victuals were passed through wicket In the
gratings OF q window. A bake-oven annex
communicated with the cook-houss. The
gale, 1t is presumed, blew down the oven
chimney and scattered embors on the floor.
When discovered the fire had good Roadway,
and almost in q minute the cook-hsuse was
abiaze throughout. There were no hosks to
tear 1t away, and the gale gave 1t frightful
impetus. The minute 1t was discovered the
tele phone sent the alarm to tswn, and in
another minute the fire bell was pealing, and
hundreds of citizens, some with the engine,
some with guns, and some sat large" were
hurrying to the prison. In the meantime
Warden Creel and his guards, and Mr.. Nc
Dewitt and his workmen, engaged on the
central building, together with the TRUSTEES
at work in the yard. were heroically fighting
the fire with bucket brigade, endeavoring
to prevent the flames from reaching the roof
or the interior Of the prison through the
window, the casing OF which was on Are,
and through the broken sash of which the
flames and smoke were being beat in by the
gale. A covering of tin on the lean-to roof
and the heavy wind did much to prevent the
flames from reaching up to the cornice. The
prisoners were much alarmed and some on
the upper tiers almost stified by the smoke,
but As rapidly as possible they were taken
out and put in the old Jail building, which Is
isolated. Meantime the citizens and engine
arrived. but there was no water available for
the latter, and the bucket brigade was rein
forced and did valiant service. Finally the
cornice took FIRE and the danger of the roof
Of the prison burning was very imminent,
but several men cut their way out through
the dormer window and chopped away the
cornice, letting 1t fall to the ground, and the
prison was saved. A number Of good men
and true rendered most heroic and efficient
service in the dangerous work of saving the
prison, risking their lives In the sitting
fame and smoke, and in cutting away the
cornice. The damage to the building can be
repaired with a few hundred dollars, and the
cook-house, except for its convenience, was
wsrth little. The central building in course
Of construction was net damaged, except one
window casing charred. 1t is q matter Of
congratulation that, despite the confusion |
incident and the rapid transfer Of so maHy |
prisoners amid so much excitement, not enc
escaped. Warden Creel in another column |
expresses his obligations for the efficient aid |
furnished him.
The disaster has demonstrated that any |
building erected for like purposes should be
fire proof-stone or brick, with metal roof |
and tagging foor-and that q fire cist-rn |
should be built close to the prison. IT has |
likewise suggested the individuality Of using |
any portion Of the building now in progress |
As kitchen, until at least steam heating |
apparatus is put in and tank Of COED capac- |
ity Is placed near the roof, as is the case in |
the College. In that event an interior fire |
might be flooded out, but until that is done |
and as provision against accident by light
ming, or to the tank, cemsntsd cistern
should be built The perils OF existing con-
dtions wa, wildly demonstrated on Friday
last