The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-28

ValneQ that the QreS can De started again this
morning Gas stoves were put up in every ward
on which coffee and tea We're made, ana plenti-
eul quantity of supplies was cooked in the cul-
mary department of the other division of the
hospital. Superintendent Fletcher ordered from
Bryces bakery l, 700 pounds of bread, and with
200 pounds additional saved from the bakery, the
supply of bread stuffS was rendered sufficient.
Additional arrangements for cooking will be
made to-day, and there will be no trouble about
providing proper and plentiful quanty of food.
The burning of the hospital was the absorbing
topic of conversation on the streets yesterday
and in all quarters the lmprovident action, or
rather inaction of the State authorities in failing
to provide the asylum adequate protection
against fire. as we'll as the shortsighted business
policy in failing to insure the buildings, were
condemned without stint. There is not dollar
of insurance on any of the States buildings and
the loss is therefore total. A Journal reporter
visited the hospital yesterday afternoon, and
found Superintendent Fletcher busily engaged
IN preparing statement for submission to the
committees of the Senate and House.
He had not been in bed the night
previous and his indefatigable efforts of
the proceeding day and night had just begun
to show their effect. II have repeatedly called
the attention of gentlemen in position to remedy
Dr. Fletcher, but as yet no steps have been
taken in thai direction. On the day following
the disastrous fire at the Karkakee asylum, |
addressed letters to Senator's Foulke, Magee and
and | am confident that had this fire not oc-
CURED at all some measure of proper character
would have been presented to the Legislature.
Our water system consists Of twelve clsterns
having an aggregate capacity Of IA goo barrels
and eight towers with a capacity of 5000 gal
Ions each. Besides these we have
six additional towers with a capa-
city of 5000 gallons each and three
driven wells supplied with duplex force-pumps.
The six smaller towers and the wells furnish
est wh lOtandpu
and the cisterns and large towers are intended
for use in case of fire. The towers are seventy
five feet above grade, and according to the orig
inal intention should afford high pressure but
they fail to perform what was expected of them.
The pumps were guaranteed to supply from the
wells 672 gallons a minute, but last night when
tested to their utmost capacity furnished but
167 gallons minute. The domestic supply is
ed for by the fact that we have in
creased our capacity fully one third
since the system was put in and
partly for the reason that it never was sufficient
We have to use an immense amount of water
here. The water closets must be kept running
constantly, and the laundry uses an extraordi-
Marty large quantity. Some plan should be de
vsed without any delay to furnish this institu-
ton with largely increased water supply.
am no alarlnist and do not wish to convey the
impression that the Insane Hospital is fire.
trap, or any more liable to visitation by fire
than any other building In point of fact the
place is so we'll patrolled by watchmen and at
PENDANTS that fire could not possibly gain any
considerable Roadway before being discovered,
and our force is we'll up in fire drill, but no
place is exempt from danger from this source,
and too grea. precautions cannot be taken TO guard
against serious disaster. | would recommend
most urgently that proper provision be made at
once | think the better plan would be to dis
card economy and lay water mains from the city
to the hospital to connect itwth the citys water
works. The water works engineer estimates the
cost to the State of laying twelve-inch mains
from the Whiteriver bridge to the asylum at
SOB, 800 There is conflict of opinion, how
ever, between him and some of the local plumb
ers as to the ACCESSIBILITY Of obtaining our
water from this source, the plumbers insisting
that the great pressure would burst the smaller
pipes in the building, while he maintains the
contrary, and scouts such an idea Another
plan that has been suggested is to build gallery
which shall be supplied from Eagle creek, by a
sort Of syphon arrangement but this. also, hasits
objections, chief among which wcn ~ De the
llip nfitv Of the water in the Sumner months.
In case Of severe drouth, this might also fail
The cost of such gallery and appurtenances
complete could, in my opinion, be kept withln
the limit of $I2, GEO. Still another Plseik-te-
sink several driven wells Of great capacity, which.
shall be walled as cisterns are, and TO be kept
full | believe the first plan is infinitely the
best one, although the most expensive. There
can be such thing as too rigid economy. If
the objection urged by the plumbers is found,
on experiment, to be valid, there is no absolute
necessity for connecting the water works with
our domestic pipes, and their mains may be used
only in case of fire, and the domestic supply OBJ
tanned from other sources
Icalled the attention of the trustees to the fact
that found no insurance pagers among the
other effects when | took possession of the insti
tuition" continued DR.. Fletcher, '.and from them
learned that no insurance was carried. [ urged
that some be placed and Mr.. Gapen was heartily
in favor of it, but the other trustees made OBJ
Jectons, and the question was not again consid
cred.
mo one can depict the horrors that must have
ensued had the main building become involved"
said Superintendent Fletcher by way of re.
joinder 70 a remark by the reporter. mo one
knows the way in which the patients would re-
small blaze in the Sixth Ward a few
weeks ago the inmates were removed. Many
of them were perfectly terror stricken, ana, al
though the smoke became SO very dense that we
had TO grope about in the darkness for them,
they fell PROSTATE and resisted with all their
strength the efforts being made for their re-
moval. Without meaning to draw an offensive
comparison, many of them act like horses do
under similar circumstances, and refuse to move,
hence when they are in considerable numbers
many of them are lost through their absolute re-
fusal to accept assistance. During the fire last
night three women escaped, but one of them was
fonnd almost immediately. Of the others, one
went clad only in light calico wrap and bare
headed. through the binding storm and the
snowdrlfts to Haughsville, half mile distant,
where she aroused saloon keeper and was shell
tered until [ could 60 after her.
The other escaped bare-footed and bare
headed. without other clothing than her
calico dress and waded through the snow to the
front OF the building where she took refuge on the
steps. When l found her she said she was waiting
for the stage to take her home, and threw her
arms about me and kissed me impulsively No
one was injured, and to-day all of them have
recovered their compoSure."
A Journal reporter also interviewed Chief
Fire Engnee: Webster. at the scene of the fire
yesterday morning. MIR. Webster's experience
as fireman certainly renders his opinion
worthy of respectful consideration, and he ex-
pressed it without reserve, saying that the water
supply Was ridiculously inadequate in case of
general conhagration. Chief Webster and the
firemen are deserving of especial !, com
mendation for their effective work at
the. fire. AS for Superintendent Fletcher.
he was apnarentlY nhiauitous and did more