The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-12-27
Female Wing of Pontiac, Mich,
Asylum Burned.
PlTEous TERROR OF INMATES.
Five Hundred Shrieking Women Set
Loose and All Saved.
The Seven Hundred Male Prisoners See
the Flames and Howl Like Wild
Beasts-Fire in Business Center of
Chattanooga, Does Great Damage.

Pontiac, Mich, Dec o6.-Fire. was dis
covered in the north wing of the Eastern
Michigan insane asylum at IL O'Clock this
morning. The flames spread rapidly. and
with the limited facilities at hand the fire.
men were powerless. Fifteen minutes
after the first alarm was sounded the oc-
cupants of the wing. 500 women, were
turned loose, screaming frantically with
terror. The maniacs surged through the
corridors, where the air was already filed
with smoke. The flames were visible
through it all, and the sight filled the de-
mented creatures with terror. Some ran like
Wild animals, trampling their slower COM
panlons in their mad efforts TO escape.
Others were paralyzed with fear and stood
rooted to the spot, their eyes staring hor-
ribly into the roaring fire. The attendants
performed deeds of heroism in their en-
deavors to rescue the helpless, rushing
hlther and thither, and dragging hesi-
tatlng ones from the rooms. They drove
the insane women into the open air.
When some were once on the outside they
would break and rush for the building
again. Superintendent Burr and his as
sistants on the medical staff gave direc-
tons for the removal of the inmanes, and
by their excellent and valiant labors all,
1t IS believed, We're rescued alive Never
the!ess, some say several women were
seen at the windows after the patients
seemed to be sill out They had torn off
every stitch of clothing from their per-
sons, and were laughing in hideous glee
at the approach of the flames. By IL 80
the entire north wing was wrapped in
flames. The attendants did all in their
power, and nothing was left but to try
TO save the rest of the asylum from the
flames.
The spectators declare they heard
shrieks of anguish from the awful pyre
as OF demented victims yielding their
lives to the flames, but in the confusion it
was impossible to distinguish the screams
OF the frightened maniacs without from
the expiring outcry of victims within, if
any. There were strenuous efforts
made to convey the patients to cot
tages for safe keeping. This was
accomplished with the utmost difficulty.
Great fear was felt lest the fire should
cross to the south wing, where nearly 700
men were confined. Preparations were
Immediately made TO remove the men if it
became necessary. Inside the south wing
from the moment the flames came in sight
the widest excitement prevailed Seven
hundred crazy men tore about their rooms.
yelling like demons.
Hundreds of people from Pontiac and
vicinity joined in the fight with the flames
al this juncture, and by the most stub
born resistance the wing was saved. Aside
from this everything save the chapel, hos
pitai and engIne-house were de-
m hGr nf
were in the section of the building
hrst destroyed, were severely burned on
being removed. but prompt attention
averted any serious consequences. James
Lyon, Frederick Linton and another at
tendant, whose name could not be learned.
had narrow escapes while fighting the
dames on the fourth floor. Unknown to
them fire surrounded the spot at which
the men were working, and only when
they found every avenue of escape except
one small window closed did thev think of
their safety. When the flames were near
ing them, long ladder was secured
and the men were rescued Just as they
were on the point of falling back
into the raging furnace. A number of
other narrow escapes occurred. and few of
the attendants escaped without severe
burns or other injuries. Ii is difficult to
obtain accurate figures on the loss. One
member of the board of trustees of the
asylum estimates it at not less than $500.
600. The patients must, for several davs
at least, suffer great hardships. The
kitchen IS among the destroyed buildings.
and some time must elapse before the
culinary department can De re-established
and the iunatics properly fed