Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-27
Most of a Large Asylum Con-
tanning Over 1000 Pa
tients Burns Down.
NOT ONE LIFE is LOST.
Sensational Rumors of Inmates Dy-
ing in Horrible Glee.
MANIACS LET LOOSE IN A FOREST.
The Remaining Cottages insufficient to
Shelter the Lunatics.
MANY BURNED u THE WORK OF RESCUE

PONTIAC. NIC1., Dec. 26.-Fire was
discovered in the north wing of the Eastern
Michigan Insane Asylum, at IL o'clock this
morning. The flames spread with fearful
raniditv. and with the limited facilities at
hand he fremen were powerless. Fifteen
minutes after the first alarm was sounded
the occupants of the wing, 500 women, were
turned loose.
Screaming trantically with terror the
maaiacs surged through the corridors, where
the air was already filled with smoke.
Tongues of fame were visible through it
all. and the sight filled the demented
creatures with terror Some ran like wild
animals. trampling their slower companions
in their mad efforts TO escape Others were
paralvZcd with fright and stood rooted TO
the spot with eyes staring horribly into the
roaring fire The attendants performed
deeds Of heroism in the endeavor to rescue
the helpless
Driven Out of the Building.
Rushing hither and thither, dragging the
hesitating ones from their rooms, they
drove the insane women into the open air.
When some were once upon the outside
they would break away and rush for the
building again. 1t is believed all were
rescued alive.
The report is rife that several women
were seen a; the windows after the patients
were supposed to be al out. They had torn
every veStige Of clothing from their persons
and were laughing in hideous glee at the
approach Of the flames. When last seen
thev were standing in the midst of sheets of
fire -cSriculating wildly, with their long
hair Sing disheveled about their faces.
iBv 1880 the entire north wing was
wrapped in flames. The attendants had
done all in their power, and nothing was
lel' bat 30 try 10 save the rest of the asylum.
Spectators declare that thev heard shrieks
Of anguish from the awful pyre, but in the
confusion it was impossible to distinguish
the screams of the frightened maniacs with
out from the expiring outcry of the victims
within. il any there were.
Under the spell of the Fire.
A strenuous effort was made to convey
the parients to the cottages for safekeeping.
Il was utterly impossible. Some few of
them were induced to retire to the shelter,
bat the great majority or the 500 demented
women hudGled together in the cold, pierre
ing wind and gazed with terror upon the
fire
Cnnn the first discovery of the fire the
Pontiac department was notified. The sin
gle steamer in the place made the run of
three miles AT a breakneck gait. When
the first stream was turned upon the flame
the north wing was seen to be doomed, and
every energy was bent to stopping the fire
at the center. \ few minutes later citizens
OF Pontiac began to arrive on the scene, and
soon an army Of several hundred men were
at work With the added assistance the
women were forced TO retire from the scene.
Those who had run away into the woods
were brought back and placed in the cot
taCes.
The fcar was that the fire would make its
way across TO the south wing, where nearly
200 men were confined Preparations were
immediately made to remove the men if 1t
became necessary.
-,even Buudred ExultinC Naniacs.
Inside the south wing, from the moment
the flames appeared, the widest excitement
prevailed The 700 crazy men tore about
the narrow confines of their rooms, yelling
ike demons. not from fear, as it seemed,
bri rather with exulration. The fire filled
them with terrible ecstacv. \ few appre-
ciatei the danger and their terror was pitt
ful.
At / O'Clock the fremen were confident
thar they haG the flames under control. AT
tEat horr the fire was fercest Just over the
man entrance. The north wing was ruin.
g1. rooI had fallen in. A few minutes
iarar a steamer arrived from Detroit, and
the fire was conquered, although there was
s-.ll a Stubborn blaze in the central portion.
The pYerfrations for the rescue of the in
sane mra in the event of an emergency
were no, abated. The entire main struc-
tura cXcew most of the mems wing and
small PAN CT the women's wing, is in
ashrs
s'any Of the inmates are believed to
have escaped 10 the woods during the ex-
citemear, and searching parties are now out
in ques' of them The loss will not fall
below $500, 600
Three Attendants Narrow Escape.
The cause Of the fire, which broke out in
the attic. is not definitely known, but it is
believed TO have been a defective fue
famed by the cold north wind. Water
facilties were inadequate.
\ nuriber ot the "cmen who were in the
section Of the building first DESTROYED were
severely burned in being removed, but
prompt attention averted any serious con-
sequences Three attendants had narrow
escapes while fighting the flames on the
fourth foor. Unknown to them the fire
surrounded the spot at which they were
working. and only when they found every
avenue of escape. except one small window
closed. did they think of their own safety
The vast crowd of spectators saw the peril
Of the men, but were powerless to help
them.
The fire apparatus was in use on another
section Of The building. and every moment
brought tho fire nearer to them. When the
flames were tapping the mems skins a long
ladder was nEocured and the men were
rescued Just as they were on the point of
falling back into the burning furnace. A
number Of other narrow escapes occurred,
and but few Of the attendants escaped with
out severe burns or other niuries.
The number of inmates is over 900. The
care Of these required about 200 employees.
The inmates must for several davs, at least,
suffer great havdShips The kitchen is
amoag the destroyed buildings, and some
time must eiapse before the culinary de-
parumen5 can ae re-established and the
lUnaticS properly fed.
\ curious incident in connection with the
FIRE was related of patient who has long
been considered dangerous. Under the ex-
citement his reason returned 10 him and he
offered his services in lighting The fire, which
were gladly accepted.