New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-02-14
BLOCKLEY ALMSHOUSE FIRE.
SEEKING THE BODIES OF THE DEAD.
MANIAcs RUNNING WILDLY IN TIE STREETS
TROUBLES OF THE FIREMEN.

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 13.-Amid the ice-covered
ruins that are now the only remnant of what was
the nam department of the Philadelphia Aims
house, the tiremen have worked untirngly all day.
AS the result of their abors the list of victims has
been swelled to eighteen dead sixteen of whom
have been identified. The other two bodies were
so charred and disfgured when taken from
the debris OF the eastern wing that recognition
is impossible. The physicians in charge admit that
there are still twenty-five men and twelve women
unaccounted for, and the fear Is general that fur
ther search of the ruined building will result in the
discovery of many more victims. The sixteen men
whose bodies have been identified are: Thomas
Rusk, Michael Ruth, Charles Milligan, Robert Cum
mngs Thomas Jones, John Kohler. Francis Smith.
Edward Murphy, Charles O'Brien, Philip New
burger Charles Nollenberger, Frank d. Decachon,
john Lyndon. Charles Scott, John Dwycr and
James Burke. OF the fifteen inmates and fremen-
who were burned or injured at the fire, all are re-
ported TO be getting on avorably, and the injuries
of only two are thought to be dangerous.
The two bodies which still unrecognized were
taken out at o'clock this afternoon They were
inmates of the cells in ward "M," and DR.. Rich
ardson fears that many others, whose cells were in
the quarter, will be still numbered among the
dead.
Many of the patients wandered about the
streets last night almost naked They
seemed to he unable to understand tho situation,
and in some cases begged their captors pteously
not to throw them in the river. Others seemed to
take it as q grand joke. and laughed geefully when
the subject of the fire was mentioned One Of them
ran down South st. this morning with manacle
attached to his wrist aud few links of q chain
dangling from 1t. He shrieked and laughed as he
struck right aud left among the frightened people.
Ii was found necessary TO knock him down before
he could be secured. Another mailman caused
panic in street car, by rushing IN half clad.
with his face scOrchcd and backened. He
sat covering IN corner, and IL was soon found
that he moro frightened than those who had
run away from him. The report that the streets
were full Of escaped maniacs caused much alarm
in West Philadelphia and strangers looked upon
each other with much distrust
Many of the wanderers were taken to the district
20 oco stations IN various parts Of the city, where
they cared for until they could be removed TO
the pauper wards, where five hundred of
the homeless lunatics are huddlcd to-
gether in their mproyised quarters. Arrangements
for their temporary relief have already been made
Orders have been obtained from the court and fifty
OF the patients will be Immediately transferred to
tho State Institution at Warren. fifty 20 the asylum
n. Danyilc, and Others will find a home for the
present in the State hospital at Norristown.
A number of offers have been received by the
guardians of tho poor from various institutions in
the state. Offering temporary refuge 10 the un-
fortunate paupcts The Pennsylvania Railroad
offered the use Of it, old depot a. Thirty-second
aud Market sts which recently used as an
annex TO the electrical exhibition. This timely
offer was accepted. and to-day 1t Is preparing
for their reception.
were weary and half frozen each mans helmet
and coat appearing As hard IA armOr, but their
search for bodies was continued steadily. There
appears To hayo been n great deal oi unnecessary
trouble caused bv rotten hose and scarcity IN tie
water supply. To secure water he lrrmen chopped
"A holo Ia the thick ice on the Schnyklll River, but
when tie hose was introduced. tho mud and
grinding bits of lee split the leather.
The bodies of tae dead were carefully laid IN
plain pine boxes aud placed IN lows IN the dead
house. Most oi thrs" were horribly mutilated, and
som" were 80 cuarrrd that nothing but black
.Lapcl"a. rnu4. was left The body OF Burke the
maniac who chained for years, not
mutilatcd rs much a. the rest Tho lace was quite
lIfclIkc aud. with the exception ~ few cuts and
bruises the body not marked. The body OF
Charles Muhlcnucrg who occupied room on the
thri iloor. was fouud next 10 hat of Burke.
The scarcity of wafer ~ the vicinity OF the Aims
house the lack of discipline aud system IN the in
stItution, and the absence of all adequate safe
guards against such a c4stastrsphc have brought
upon the heads of tho management and the Ilty
citizens II il said that single fire cXtiuguisher
might have saved the building when the fire was
discovered, and the absence OF Il irc-alaTn box
I'D n the PREMISES whereby the Fire Department
was prevented from getting 10 work until nearly
al of the eighteen lives were sacrificed ~ one OF
the most astonishing omissions. the Importance of
winch is only realized now that tho calamity has
occurred.
lho names and occupations of the persons whose
injuries thought 10 be OF serious nature arc rs
follows:
Glssman, Jacob age hfty who occupied cell No 10 In
ward VI. IIo rescued by the watchman. william
Hanna lie was supposed to bo dead at drst aud
lniu "a
O'Neal. Isaac. age thrty yve occupied cell No IN
ward VI. lie was saycn 10y the membcrs OF Track T.
lie Is burned about the body.
shunamon, jesse "a mild patient. who seriously
burned aud suffers from partial sunocation.
Kaiser, Conrad, patient, burned about the face aud
Aiken. samuel, fireman attached to Engine Company
No >, was cut about the head aud face, caused Dy
falling skylight. lie Is also suffering from shock.
Those who sustained slight injuries or wounds
are
scuy, James, attendant In Ward X. ears and neck
craie, William, partly sulocated and burned.
SNYDER --, oyerseer was overcome 10y smoke and
burned about the hands while trying TO rescue
Froehicy, Conrad. burned about the head, face and
Moore Sergeant of the Third Police District, had his
ankle sprained by n fall.
Mc%y 1ei s%ar forty who occupied e.pSsa 'Si Sy
the arenen Of Truck at the same time that on,
quantity Of smoke.
IeerOn Peter slightly burned.
Mclaughlin, Nllldll Hge lWcUtD W.,
was thrown from "a truck He has a accrated wound
OF the scalp and "a broken finger lie was removed
to tine University Hospital
Brown Edward Paul, an Inmate, burned about the
legs. - A.,
sheridan, George inmate, was burned about the
body, face aud hands.
Quinn, Michael patient, inhaled fire.
-Oncial inv has failed as yet toshow the
cause of the lire.
FIREMEN HURT Ar BINGlIAMTON
BINGHAMToN. Feb. 13 (Special).-A fire broke
out opposite Eric depot block of buildings In
North Depotst. at o'clock tonight. The hanes were