Grand Rapids morning telegram., 1884-12-19
THE MERCILESS FLAMES.
AN ORPHAN ASYLUM BURNED.
Pitiful Scenes Witnessed in Brooklyn
Several Lives Lost-Loss EstI-
mated at $1,000. 900.

BaooKLYs, Dec. 18.-This afternoon fire
broke out in the dryingroom in the building
adjoining the right wing on the southern end
of the Catholic male orphan asylum on the
corner of st. Mary's and Albany avenues
1t was quickly communicated TO the main
building structure 2l0 by 80 feet, which
was almost entirely destroyed. The part IN
which the fire originated contained the
boilers, heating apparatus, etc. On the third
floor was the dormitory, in which were sixty:of
the orphan inmates of the asylum, whose ages
ranged from six to ten years, and who were
suffering from various complaints. Whether
or not all were rescued cannot be known
until the children who are scattered about
the neighborhOod are counted. The impress
sion now prevails that some of them have
been burned to death. Sister Josephine,
who was in the dormitory when the fire
broke out, made heroic efforts To get the
children out of the building, and by so do
ing. probably sacrificed her life: She re-
manned in the room until the flames had
nearly surrounded her. when she ran to
window and climbed out upon the cornice.
Meanwhile the firemen had entered another
part of the building, and began pouring
water upon the flames. Foreman McGroarty,
of engine company No. IA, saw Sister Jo
sephine. and being unable to reach her with
his hands, extended his coat TO her, from
window in the wing. She caught 1T, and
loosening her hold on the cOrnice, swung to-
ward McGroarty. The coat slipped from
her grasp and she fell to the ground, striking
on her head, and was conveyed III an un-
conscious state to st. Catharlne's Hospital.
Joseph Ryan, boy who was upon the same
floor attempted to descend by a ladder.
When within ten feet of the ground the lad
der broke and he was seriously injured by
falling. John McGrath. eight years old,
jumped from one of the third-story windows
and was badly hurt. Sister DeChantel,
the Mother Superior, was in her when the
alarm was given. She quickly dispatched
assistants to various parts of the building
and notified the fire department. There
were 7S5 orphans in the institution, and the
greatest excitement prevailed among them
The sisters made every effort to get the chill
dren out as quickly as possible, directing
them to go to any house in the eighborhood
and remaiu until called for. Hundreds of
little fellows ran out into the storm scream
ing and crying, most of them being without
coats or hats.
From windows in various parts of the
building little boys were being taken out by
brave men, while many little fellows, disre-
garding the commands of the rescuers to re-
main where they were for moment longer,
threw themselves headlong to the ground,
most of them sustaining little or no injury.
Several people who watched the progress of
the flames say they are certain all the boys
did not get out of the burning building. and
are also sure they saw a woman attempt to
reach window and fall back into the flames.
Sister Anthony, through whose efforts at
least one hundred boys were allowed to
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 accidentally
touched some clothes hanging upon line.
Two firemen were severely injured by falling
from ladders. At O'Clock night the flames
reached the cupola and the tall gilt cross sur
mounting it. As the supporters weakened
it swayed to and fro for short time and
then came down with crash.
At midnight the fire is still burning and
the entire asylum is in ruins.
Sister Josephine died in the hospital at 6
o'clock. and it is believed three others lost
their lives. 1t can not yet be ascertained
whether all the children got out of the build
ing, but it is thought all escaped.
The loss of life "a far as known is that of
Sister Josephine and the woman who is de-
scribed as falling back into the flames. The
only person who could tell TO a certainty
whether all the boys escaped was Sister Jose
phine, who is dead. She was undoubtedly
the last living person in the building. ALI of
the boys who were in the dormitory have
been accounted for except six. At midnight
hundreds of persons were on the streets
searching for missing lads. Judge Andrew
Walsh, treasurer of the Asylum, says the
total loss on building, furniture and ap-
purtances is $5.0O0,0O0 and the insurance
&. 100000. The structure was begun in 1865
and finished in 1870. The fire is still burn
ing Mt O'Clock.