The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-05-07
PERISHED IN THE FLAMES.
ONE HUNDRED INSANE PATIENTS DIE
IN BLAZING BUILDING.

trrnl, burned at MIddny-Over I 400 Pa
tients Turned Loose-VIOient Female Pa.
tients in tho Upper stories Resist At
tempta to Rescue Tbem-An tho Victims
womeu-SevernI Nuns Perish While Try
Ing TO save Iives-A Terrible Spectacle.
MONTREAL, May 6.-Montreai was tho
scene to-day OF one OF the most frIghtful
calamites ever recorded In hor history. Tho
famous provincial insane asylum. Thich IL
known all over Canada and the United States
and which contained inmates from every por-
ton OF the continent, is tonight mass OF
ruins. The magnificent structure has been
burned TO the ground. and Of tho 1000 inmates
over one hundred nre supposed to have
perished In the flames Tho buildings
constituting the st. Jean dc Dieu Asy
lum are Mt Tongue Pointe. o small
place about ton miles from Montreal. fronting
the River st. Lawrence. The asylum, which
was established by the Quebec Government in
1873, consisted OF Il main building and four
smaller buildings connected by wings, with n
total frontage OF $50 feet. The buildings wore
OF brick and cut stone. Tho principal building
was six stories hiyh and the other buildings
five stories. The institution was under the
care OF the Providence order OF nuns.
About noon to-day report reached Montreal
that fire had started ut the asylum, and THE
Sun correspondent was soon on the scene.
About II 80 o'clock this morning smoke was
discovered entering the chaplain 8 room in the
centre building. The chaplain Immediately
rushed out into the chapel and made desper-
ate effort to save whatever he could. but he had
to beat hnsty retreat of or being badly burn
al J,, tLa titnn tho fire which Ia n
posed to have started in u cupboard in the top
OF tho centre building, spread with amazing
rapdity. and the buildings were in an incredi-
bly, short space Of time enveoped In flames.
There were over 1900 inmates In the burning
building at the time. The scene was we'll nigh
indescribab!e. There were 1863 Sisters In the
asylum. and their first care was for the unfor-
tunate inmates who were unable to care for
themselves. Many OF the inmates rushed from
their rooms and jumped from the different
stories OF the buildings to the grounds beneath.
which were soon swerIning with demented
people rushing wildly hither and thlther. In
the background stood the vast buildings al
most entirely pod in flames. which shot
high into the skies.
Only the two end wings we're untouched, built
was only question Of time when these. too
should GO. OF the centre building nothing was
visible but flames and smoke, and at intervals
portions OF the walls could be seen tumbllng
into the fiery mass below.
Above the flames could be heard the shrieks
and mouns OF many of the demented in
mates who were Icing roasted to death in the
upper stories Of the buildings. At intervals
men and women would appear at the windows.
linger for u moment amid the smoke and
flames, and then irantically Jump to the ground
below or fall back into the secthing mass
Hundreds who had escaped wandered aimless-
ly around the grounds. some with nothing but
their underclothes on and with bare feet.
few who had torn their garments OF in their
excitement were entirely naked.
To add to the horrors OF the scene, tho rain
was pouring down in torrents, and the fright
ened inmates. dazed with horror were hud-
died around in groups. shuddering and moan
ing The Sisters and men connected with the
asylum worked like heroes to rescue the In
mates from their terrible position. Many O
Sister lost all thought OF herself. but. filled
with noble herolsm. rushed to the cells OF the
inmates and literally dragged out the INN ates.
who in many cases made frantic by the flames.
refused to move.
To prevent the inmates from escaping. the
large gates leading to the grounds were shut.
and were only opened to allow tho sisters 10
pass out with groups Of inmates. who were re-
moved 10 tho St. Isidore Convent, a large nsti-
to burn with undated fury, and it soon be-
came dangerous to approach within twenty
five yards Of the burning buildings
The demented inmates, however, appeared
TO be entirely oblvous Of all danger. Half
dozen of the more violent lrenzied by excite
ment rushed from their keepers and jumping
under tho tumbing walls. started TO yell at the
top OF thor voices. tearing their hair. comfort
ing their faces. and laughing like witches at
the ruin that was being done. They had to be
removed by force.
While tho flames we're Mt their highest many
of the inmates still remained inside. although
the nuns and doctors had done everything i'll
their powor to got thcm out. Tho flames
seemOd to have terrible fascination for the
poor creatures. who in many instances. well
coined the horrible death that awaited them.
All hope OF saving those In the upper portions
OF tho building was soon abandoned. Most OF
the men were got out, but many women es-
pecaly those in violent wards, had TO be left
Many acts Of heroism were performed by the
nuns and doctors in trying to save tho inmates
continued his enort- until he had to bo carried
out half dead from smoke. As soon as one
o2dy OF their naees Until at least tWoe
thirds OF tho inmates PAD peen rescued. The
utter destruction OF the institution was GER
tainty from the beginning Of the fire. The VII
lage lru brigade WAS unable to cope with
such fire. and the Montreal brigade
witch was called. arrived loo late to be
Of on any seryiro Al 3 r, NJ, the flames
inter consuming tho main building, attacked
the two out.ii" wings. and II became evident
that nothing bit the ouihouscs could be saved.
Shortly aitcrwHrd tho front wal Of the main
building ictl IN und WAS followed by the back
wall Then with II roar the ROOF Of tho eastern
wing fell in, carrying the wal Is with It. In IT.
lie less than an hour he whole reries OF build;
ings were IN flames the remaining walls fell
in with a IumUiuR sound like that OF artillery,
and a dense cloud Of smoke and sparks as
csnded. " Ron evening fell all that remained
OF the splendid set OF buildings which cost
over 37uUuUD. were a few outhouseB.
The loss Of life is yariously estimated but II |
is almost impossible TO give any accurate idea,
and PERHAPS the exact number OF those who |
have pcrisned will never be known, as tho roc
rds arc believed 70 have perished in the flames.
The NIeIuen say they never witnessed such u |
scene OF horror Chief Benslt. accompanied by |
several ol his men. rushed into the w"mens |
ward whore frlghttul Hcane was witnessed.
In the violent ward were seen twenty five |
women huided together with their arms on
twlued waiting for the hRn0s 10 roach them. |
The hrcnen tried 70 break their ranks. but they |
resisted and tho iremen had barely time to oS- |
cADs with their lives. In another portion OF |