Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1886-02-12
THE STATE AT LARGE.
INCINERATED UNFoRruNArEs.
The Jackson County Poor House Burned---
Five Persons Burned TO Death.


The jackson county poor house, situated
about live miles from jackson was destroyed
by ire early on the of Jan. 24th.
When help arrived from jackson, a
short time after the fire
started, only the walls were standing, so rap
idly has the flames done the work. Five OF the
inmates persisted in the flames They were
Mrs G.. Atkinson, insane, froIl Grass Lake,
aged ~ years. she has been an inmate of the
county house twenty-tour years.
Catharne Avery insane, from Columbia,
aged - YEAR an inmate for 10 years.
Melissa Martin, insane from Spring Arbor,
aged 81 years, and an inmate for fourteen
years
Tina Boynton, deaf, from Jackson aged ~
years 3 wears an inmate
Nhas. Elliott, blind, aged % years, from
Jackson. The latter had been there only since
December IL.
The work of recovering the remains was at
once commenced, aud IN short time the
cLalred bodies were all recovered, but were
unrevugnizable.
The tire was discovered by Mrs. Smith, wife
Of the keeper Oi the house, about one o'clock,
in th men Kitchen. She wakened her hus-
band who slept in an adjoining room, and
then went to nclghbor's for help. Mr.. Smith
woke the hired man, telling him 10 rescue the
men while he looked after the women. Great
difficulty was experienced in getting the
women out. but all were finally rescued except
the five unfOTtunates named.
The one thought of MIR Smith and his help
ers had been 10 save the lives of the unfortu-
nate people confined there and when this was
aceO npll-hcd and they turned 10 save the
cGutcntS OF the house. but little could be saved,
-, swift had been the work of destruction.
There was no fire apparatus
about the place. and as stated
help from Jackson arrived too late 10 be OF
an avail. The servants were all away eN-
ccgt one hired man, and the neighhors, with
e. lttf,, IN, ~ l..
away, were not awakened until the building
was burned nearly Ia the ground.
very few OF the inmates had on more than
their night clothes, and all suffered intensely
from the cold
The thermometer registered 10 degrees below
Zetg al the time and some of the unfortunates
will perish from the effect of the exposure
They were placed IN the pest house until bet
ter quarters could be secured and later were
brought 10 Jackson, where portion were TAX
en Ia the Jackson house, a portion 10 the
Clinton house and the balance, nvt sick pco-
pie, were taken 10 Mrs. Ferris boarding house
cnnHnonlY known a. the railroad hospital.
IL H. supposed that the fire caught from a
defective chimney and that the Ioists between
the doors had been smOldcring for some time
before the flames broke out. Mrs. smith was
all tirough the house al 10 o'clock and every
thlhy at that time appeared TO hc all right.
here were forty inmates, fourteen female
and -Weuty-siX male, in the house.
But very little of the furniture was saved,
perhaps one wagon load, Mr. Smith lost near
~ a. his effects, including clothing, which
be valued at about $500, and on when there
was 40 insurance.
The remains of the victims were taken To
JacAsou and inferred in Mt Evergreen Gem
etcry.
Fortunately fire escapes were placed on the
building few weeks ago, by the mans OF
Whi,h many Of the inmates escaped.
The poor house was built three years ago al
a cost of Sl2. 300 IL was two stories high,
with basement and was built of brick with
wooden partitions. There was an insurance
ON the building of $1,000 and ON the contents
OF > al. q. all in jackson agencies.
VIM Mills one OF the inmates, was the man
who nrst issued sanders spelling book AT
one time he was worth S2jO,0lO.