Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-05-15
THE ASYLUM FIRE.
The Sister Superior Places the Loss at
Possibly Fifty.
The Scene Not One Easily Described and Not
Easily Forgotten-Deeds Of Heroism
in Saving the Inmates.

TONGUE PoNTE, P. O., May IA
correspondent of the Associated Press
has had an interview with Sister Therese
de- Jesus, the superioress of the asylum.
this morning. She Is remarkably clear
headed woman, and although at the
time of the disaster was confined to
her sick bed in the infirmary, she
had SO far recovered that she has taken
the direction of affairs in her own hands
with headquarters at St. Isadore con-
vent, near the bank of the st. Law
renee, just below where the asylum
stood. She places the loss of life at
certainly twenty, and possibly
fifty. She expressed her determine
ton to at once rebuild the institution on
the most approved scientific plans, both
as regards treatment of patients and
with view to preventing the leRat pos
sibility of O recurrence of yesterday 3
horror. DR.. Duquette, government med
ical inspector, was next seen. He places
the loss of life at least sixty. On being
asked his opinion as to the present sys-
tenn of placing lunatics under the care OF
sisters, he replied that he was strongly
opposed to such a plan, and would ask
the government TO place incurables and
furious lunatIcs in small institutions where
they could have skilled treatment by
staff of specialists. Harmless insane per-
sons could, he said. be placed to q
greater advantage under care of the sis
tiers.
The ruins of the asylum were next
visited. Nothing but heaps of smoking
III ~ 80 10,
dead can be traced. In the rear are
stables where about 100 men pa
tients were quartered last night
under the supervision of the
Sisters and four Montreal policemen.
The scene is not one easily described and
surely not to be easily forgotten. Lying
on heaps of straw sickly and feeble lu-
natics were to be seen moaning, gibber-
ing. shrieking, twisting and jumping.
There were more sturdy ores on the floor
around them. 1t made one shudder to
pass down between the two large hay
mows on which were confined the worst
cases, so fierce was the expression on
their oountenauces. 1t was remarkable
to see the GOODNESS with which the good
sisters soothed their rawlings, cheered
the depressed and ministered to the
wants of the sick.
The laundry was the next place visited.
There are confined 100 patients, mostly
quiet persons, whose aid has been taken
advantage of in putting things in shape.
At the door of the laundry was John
O'Rourke. This man worked with the
greatest herolsm, and with the aid Of his
brother James and William Higgins,
saved twelve women, when all hope OF
being able
TO SNATCH THEM FROM THE FLAMES
had been abandoned by the other spec
tators. There were four overlapping
verandas on the outside of the building.
Back of these hole was out through the
floors Of the verandas and he
ascended to the top one.
The verandas are bound with
iron, He snatched the passing women
through the hole, handed them TO his
brother, who IN turn passed them to
Higgins and thus they were safely
lowered to the ground. MIR. 0'Rourks
gives the names of four who
were burned to death. Mrs.
Kelly of Montreal, Mrs. Williams
Of Halifax, Montreal woman known as
Bridget, whose sirname was either
Malone or Mallory, and Miss Letournay
of Malson Neuve, or HereheIegla.
The loss financially was very
great, being placed at 81 $780,
600. Insurance $500 900, placed
with the Royal OF England which
in turn has sub-let this amount to
eighteen other Canadian and American
companies. AS one approaches Tongue
Pointe the place is hardly recognizable.
Instead of the huge building that lent
character TO the village there remains
merely heap Of runs. The walls have
fallen to the level of the outhouses, aud
the scene on the whole Is one Of barren
ness.
1t is yet merely q matter Of speculation
as to the exact number of dead, but the
general census Of opinion is that 1t can
not be fewer than 100, and per-
haps nearly doubls that amount. The
only names of the dead that can be
procured up to this time are
Sister Boutelleir, Sister Lumine,
Sister Victoria, Sister st. Nichols and
Lahaire, of the Sacred Heart convent.
The latter was patient in the violent
ward. The only other patients names
obtained are Mrs. Kelly, Miss Soullen
and Miss Therault, OF Montreal; Mrs.
Williams, Halifax; Bridget Malone,
Montreal; Miss Lobournay Paison.
Nueve.
While much sympathy is felt and ex-
pressed for the sisters their methods OF
administration excite only indignation.
The Quebec government allowed them 81
for each patient and the seventeen years
this has been granted they have paid
thus far all debts Of the convent.
Al places of refuge around the asy-
iuEl are crowded with anxious seekers for
lost friends, but the nuns eau give no
Information. DR.. Dequette asserts that
the superstition is not correct that all the
men were saved, as some persisted.
The following are missing: Victoria
Beadry, Augustine L2reaux. Camille
Marchmonf, Delshine Archambeaut,
Marc St. Demos, Eli So. Louis and
Christine DENIES.