The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-12-27
Five Hundred Demented Women
Surrounded by Flames That
Spread Rapidly.
One Wing Of the Big Insane Asy-
lum at Pontiac, Michigan,
Burned.
Tho Inmates All Rescued by the Most
Heroic Efforts Of the AtteRdan nts--
Wierd sccne8.


covered in the north wing of tho Eastern
Michigan insane asylum at II O'clock this
morning. The flames spread with fearful
rapidity, and with the limited facilities NJ
hand the fremen were powerless. Fifteen
minutes after tho first alarm was sounded
the occupants of the wing, 800 women, were
turned loose. Screaming frantically with
terror the maniacs surged through the COR
rIdors, where the air was already filled with
smoke. Flames were visible through II all
and the sight filed the demented creatures
with terror. Some ran like wild animals,
trampling their slower companions in their
mad efforts to escape. Others. paralyzed
with fear, stood rooted to tho spot, with
eyes staring horribly into the roaring fire.
The attendants performed deeds Of heroism
in their endeavors to rescue the helpless.
Rushing hither and thither, dragging hesi-
tating ones from the rooms. they drove
the insane women into the open nir.
When some we're once upon the outside
they would break and rush for the building
again. superintendent Burr and assis-
tants on the medical staff gave directions
for the removal of the inmates and by their
excellent and valiant labors all, " is be-
lieved, were rescued alive. Nevertheless,
some say several women were seen at win
dows after the patients were supposed to be
all out. They had torn every vestigo OF
clothing from their persons and were laugh
ing in hideous glee at the approach OF the
flames. BY t1:30 the entire north wing was
wrapped in flames. attendants had done all
in their power, and nothing was left but 10
try to save the rest of the asylum from the
flames
Spectators declare they heard shrieks OF
anguish from the awful pyre, as OF de-
mented victims yielding their lives to the
flames, but In the confusion 1t was Impos-
sible to distinguish the screams OF fright
ened maniacs without from the expiring
ontcry of victims within. il any. There
were strenuous efforts made to convey the
patients to cottages for safe keeping. This
was accomplished with the utmost diff
Guilty. Great fear was felt lest the hre
should cross to the south wing. where
nearly 100 men were confined. Prepara-
tions were Immediately made to remove the
men il it became necessary. Inside the
south wing, from the moment the flames
came in sight, the widest excitement pre-
vailed. The 700 crazy men tore
about their rooms yelling like
very demons. Hundreds Of people
from Pontiac and vicinity joined In the
fight with the flames at this juncture and
by the most stubborn resistance the wing
was saved. Aside from this everything
save the chapel, hospital and engine house.
was destroyed. A number Of women who
were in the section of building first de-
stroyed were severely burned on being re-
moved, but prompt attention averted any
serious consequences. James Lyon, Fred
erick Linton and another attendant whose
name could not be learned, had narrow
escape. While fighting the flames on the
fourth floor. unknown to them, the fro
surrounded the spot at which they wero
working, and only when they found
every avenue Of eacape except
one small window closed, did they
think of their safety. When the flames
were nearing them n long ladder was se-
cured and the men rescued just as they
were on the point of falling back into the
raging furnace. number of other narrow
escapes occurred, and but few of the at-
tendants escaped without severe burns or
other injuries,
1t is difficult to obtain accurate figures
on the loss. One Of the board OF trusteeH
of the asylum estimated it at not less than
$50O,000. 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 de-
partment can be re-establishod ana the
lunatics properly fed.