, 1891-12-27
MOST H0RRIBLEl
Fire Destroys the State Insane
Asylum in Michigan.
Nude Demented Women Vel
come the Flames With Glee.
Seven Hundred Crazy Men
Rush Wildly Through
The Burning Building Howling
Like Demons.

PONTIAC. Mich, Dec. 26.-Fire was
discovered in the north wing OF the East
ern Michigan insane asylum at IL o'clock
this morning. The flames spread with
fearful rapidity. and with the limited
facilities at hand the fremen we're power
less. Fifteen miputes after the first
alarm was sounded the occupants of the
wing-500 womeu-were turned loose.
Screaming frantically with terror. the
maniacs surged through the corridors,
where the air was already filled with
smoke.
The flames were visible through it all,
and the sight filed the demented crea-
lures with terror. Some ran like wild
animals, tramplIng their slower compan-
ions in their mad efforts to escape. 9th
ers were paraiyzed with fear and stood
rooted to the spot with eyes staring horri-
bly, into the roaring fire. The attendants
performed deeds of heroism in their
endeavor to rescue the helpless, rushing
hither and thither, dragging the hcsitat.
ing ones from the rooms, they drove the
insane women into the open air.
When some we're once upon the outside
they would break and rush for the build
ing again. Superintendent Burr snd his
assistants or the medical staff gave direc-
tons Tor the removal of the inmates and
by their excellent and valIeut labor, all,
it ia believed, we're rescued alive. Never.
tholess. some saw several women we're
seen at the windows after the patients
were supposed to b. all ont. They had
torn every vestigo of clothing from their
persons and were laughing in hideous glee
-. l.. A. D. 4 ~
the entire north wing was wrapped in
flames. The attendants did all in their
power aud nothing was left but to try to
save the rest OF tho Asylum from the
flames
Spectators declare they heard shrIeks of
anguish from the awful pyre, as of the
demcnted victims Yielding their lives to
the flames. but in the confusion it was i'm
possible to distinguish the screams of the
frightened maniacs without from the ex
plring quito IT the victims within ii any
we're there strenuous effort was made
to convey IT, pltlents to the cottages for
safe keeping. This was accomplished
with the utmost difficulty. Great fear is
felt lest the fire should cross to the south
wing. where nearly 100 men are confined.
Preparations were Immediately made to
remove the men it it became necessary.
Inside the south wing, from the moment
the flames came in sight, the widest ex-
citement prevailed.
The 700 crazy men tore about their
rooms yelling like demons. Hundreds
of people fIom Pontiac and vicinity
Joined in the fight with the flames at this
iuucture and by the most stubborn resist.
ance the wing was saved. Aside from
this. everything save the chapel. hospital
- - l-.. -.. la,-a-AI A
number of women who we're in the Sec
ton of the building first destroyed were
severely burned on being removed, but
prompt attention averted any serious con.
sequences.
James Lyon. Frederick Linton and
another attendant, whose name could not
be learned, had a narrow escape while
fighting the flames on the fourth floor.
Unknown to them fire surrounded the
spot al which the men we're working aud
only when they found every avenue of
escape except one small window closed,
did they think of their safety.
One of the board of trustees Of the
asylum estimates the loss at not less than
$500, 900. The patients must for several
DAYS at least suffer great hardship. The
kitchen is among the destroyed buildings,
and some time must elapse before the
culinary department can be re established
and the ~lunatIrs properly fed.
When the flames were nearing them
a long ladder was secured and the men
escaped Just as they were Gu the point of
falling back into the raging furnace. A
number of other narrow escapes occurred
aud but n few Of me attendants cscaLed
without severe burns or other Injuries
Ii is difficult to obtain accurate figures on
the loss.