Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-06-09


of the fire. The employees were aroused,
and the first thing they did was to save
the inmates, all of whom were females.
ACRY OF FIRE.
The fire was in the hallway, and had
not reached the rooms of the inmates.
DR.. Moncure rushed through the smoke,
reached the room of the inmate nearest
the fire, and, picking her up in his
arms, carried her out to the veranda at
the southeast angle Of the building and
there turned her over to an employe.
Quickly returning, he carried back an
other, and his efforts were seconded by
others, so that in brief space Of time
there were no inmates left in the imme-
diate neighborhood of the fire.
ASKING AID.
Seeing the probability that the fire
would reach perhaps other buildings,
and fearing the consequences of gene
raj confagration, DR.. Moncure sent the
following
"ChieJ Of He Fire Department:
Come at once and bring engine. East
ern Lunatic Asylum on fire. VIII be de-
stToyed If help is not coming soon.
JAMES ID. MoNCuBE,
superintendent"
TRYING TO STOP THE FIRE.
The town of Williamsburg is not
provided with fire-engine of any sort,
and the means Of subduing a fire are
confined to methods Of the most primi-
tive sort. In view of this fact and the
possibility of fire the attention of the
Legislature has been from time to time
called to the necessity of providing
some protection against fire. A guam
tity of hose was supplied and couple
of towers built upon the roof Of the
addition that has been recently built.
These towers hold large quantity of
water, supplied by pump from a well
that furnishes bold flow of
water. As soon as those whose
lives were in immediate danger
had been removed the officers Of the
asylum turned their attention to the
fire. Help was freely volunteered from
the citizens, and an effort was made to
put out the fire by means of the hose
and. water. 1t was, however, soon
seen that this could not be done, and
in order to save the new male wards
wet blankets were placed upon the roof,
and the frame colonnade that connected
it with the burning building was torn
down by means Of ropes held in the
hands of stout men.
OTHER PRECAUTIONS.
AS the fire sped along the right wing
it increased in power, and it was seen
that the whole building, nearly four
sides of a square, would be probably
burnt. At the southeastern and south
western angles of the building the
frame-covered connections with other
buildings were torn down, and it was
determined to try the efficacy Of blow
ing up portion of the building. Two
small kegs of powder were sent for and
placed ahead Of the flames. The town
was now in intense excitement.
Men and women of all ages and sizes
focked to the scene of the fire, and
were doing all they could in removing
the lunatics and aiding in putting out
the fire. The inmates in the male de-
psrtment had been turned out, and
were straying around or were being
cared for as best they could. The fe-
males had been all taken to the old
College building, and orders were given
for everybody to stand aside and keep
out Of danger.
A PRETTY PICTURE.
The people withdrew from the enclo-
sure and stood at safe distance under
the trees. They watched the scene
with curious and mingled feelings.
The gibbering lunatics were moving
here and there in the neighborhood,
and it was found necessary to keep
keen lookout to prevent them from re-
turning to the fire. The night was
bright and clear (; the moon was on Its
last quarter, and was shining brightly.
Very little air was stirring, aud this
caused perfect spray Of sparks, sent
up by the force Of the fire, to sift
slowly down over the town like
great red fountain Of fire. The
people waited patiently until the
powder exploded and sent flying in
every direction the burning fragments
Of the building. The purpose intended
was not accomplished, as the pieces Of
burning timber set fire TO other parts
of the building, and it was seen that it
was impossible to do more than await
the arrival Of help from Richmond and
look after the safety Of the inmates.
The doctors and their assistants had
their hands full in this matter, as the
men had been turned loose mostly to
look out for themselves. None Of the