Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-02-19

knees to such of the men as we could
reach and dragged out IA, eight of
them alive, four suffocated ia death,
and two were so horribly burned that
they died before we could get them
out of the building. We could not
see any of the men in the cells, of
course, but could hear their horrible
erie, above the roaring flames as they
came to realize the horrible fate that
was in store for them. Will Sh1os3er
was goi. through this terrible ex-
perience the flames We're extending
to the main building depart
nent. The wing IL which
the victims were being burned alive
was wrapped in flames, which were
shooting many feet into the air, and
illuminating the city for many
squares. At half past sight an alarm
lad been struck, and in half an hour
a general alarra was sounded VIXEN
the firemen arrived the FIRE was envel-
oping about ore third Of the main
building and burning forcely. Two
plugs IN the yard gave but an indif
ferent supply Of water. A truck ar
rived on the scene soon after the first
alarm, and its ladder was quickly run
UP 10 the third floor to the window
cells IN which the maniacs fastened
it. With an axe and hook the 1remen
attacked the iron gratings of the cells
and succeeded ia taking cut seven
men, four OF them being suffo-
Gated to death and three still
alive. The last man thus rescued was
the notorious Jim" Burke, who has
been in the Institution over thirty
years He was brought from an east
ern prison, where he was undergoing
a life sentence for murder. He has
killed, since he has been in the insane
department, a cook and two attend
ants. The firemep who rescued HIM
state that he died while being
taken to the ground. All Of the in
mates IN the insane department were
rescued safely except those on the
third story of the wig III which the
fire originated. The total loss of life
is eighteen. DR.. Alice Avery was the
only physician III the building VIXEN
the fire occurred. DR.. Richardson,
the physician IN chief, arrived from
ais home shortly after the alarm was
given. There is nothing except wild
theorizing as to the cause Of the fire.
No facts are known which would JUS
tlfy any statement whatever. At one
o'clock this (Friday) morning the en-
tire group Of buildings making up the
insane department was in flames, and
there was no prospect Of saving any
Of them, although the f1remen then
had the fire well ia hand
The following are the names ana
ages of the occupants of the 10 cells
IN ward M near where the fire
first started, all Of whom are sup
posed to have been suffocated or
burned 10 death, with the exception
of three who were rescued by fire
men:
Frank D. Dechalon, IS.
James Mccoy. 40.
John Lyden, 50.
Isaac ONeil, 35.
Chas. Scott, colored, 81.
John Dwyer, 40.
James burke, 81. This man killed three Of the
inmates of the institution during the twenty
years he was confined there. For twenty years
his hands were chained to his body.)
Thos. Rusll, so.
Michael WrOth 80.
RObt Cunningham, 45.
ChaS NOlenberger, 60.
ThoS. Jones, 81.
John Herriges. IS. (Herriges is the man who
was discovered in 1870 ia a shanty at Fourth and
Lombard streets, where he had been confined in
chains by his parents for 20 years.
John Koehler, CO.
Thomas Smith, IS.
Edward Murphy, 4S.
Charles O'Brien. IS.
Philip Newburger, so.
Jacob Glassman rescued hv yatchman