The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-12-27

PONTIAC. Mich, Dec. ga fire wa:
discovered in the north wing of the East
ern Michigan Insane asylum this morn
ing The flames spread with fearful rapid.
ity, and, with the limited facilities at hand,
the firemen were powerless Fifteen min
utes alter the first alarm the occupants
of the wing-500 women-were turned
loose. Screaming frantically with terror,
the maniaCs surged through the corridors,
where the air WAS already filled with
smoke. Tongues of flame were visible
through it all. and the sight filled the de-
meuted creatures with terror. Some ran
like wild animals. trampling their slower
companions ii their mad efforts to escape.
Others were paralyzed with fright and
stood rooted to the spot, with eyes staring
horribly into the roaring ire. The at
tendants performed deeds of heroism in
their endeavors to rescue the helpless.
Rushing hither and Uhitner, dragging the
hesitatiug 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. superintendent Burr and
his assistants on the medical StaH gave
directions for the removal of the Inmates
and by their excellent and valiant labors,
all. II i believed, were SCued alive.
A report is going about that several
women were seen at the windows after the
patients were supposed to be all out. They
had torn every veStiRe of clothing from
their persons and were laughing in hideOus
glee at the approaching flames. When
last seen they were standing in the midst
of sheets of fire. gesticulating wildly and
with their long hair flying disheveled
about their faces. In half an hour the en-
tire north wing was wrapped in flames.
The attendants had done all that was in
their power, and nothing was left but to
try to save the rest of the asylum from the
flames. Spectators declare that they heard
shrieks of anguish from the awful fire, as
Df demen,ed victims yielding their lives to
the flames, but in the confusion it was inn
possible TO distinguish the screams of
frightened maniacs without from the ex-
piring outcry of victims within, ii any
there were. Strenuous efforts were made
TO convey the women patients to cottages
for safe keeping. Ii was utterly imposSi-
ble. Some few of them were induced to
retire to shelter, but the great majority of
ghe 800 hundred demented women huddled
together in the cold, piercing wind and
gaZed with terror upon the fire. Those of
the women who had ran away into the
woods were brought back and placed in
cottages. There were willing hands in
p'enty, and the unfortunates were soon
made as comfortable as possible.
Upon the first discovery of the fire, the
Pontiac department was notified. The
citizens came to the and of the firemen, and
soOE an army of several hundred men were
at work, but their efforts proved OF no
avail, AS the north wing was doomed. The
tesr was that the fire would make its way
across 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 The 100
crazy men tore about the narrow confines
Df sheir rooms, yelling like demons, not
from fear, as it seemed, but with exulta-
ton. The fire filled them with terrible
ecstacy.
AZ O'Clock this afternoon the fire was
tercest Just over the main entrance The
north wing was in ruins. The roof had
fallen IN, but the worst seemed over a
few minutes later a steamer arrived from
Detroit, and ths fire liend was conquered,
although there was still a stubborn blaze
In the central portion.
The fire, fortunately, did not extend
further, and by $50 o'clock it was under
control, having been confined TO the north
wing. or female wards, ard the center, or
administration building. The entire south
wing, or mems wards escaped and it was
rct found necessary to remove the inmates
The loss is placed at 500, 600 on the build
ln@. The sum Of 81 500 will cover the loss
on personal effects of patients and attend
ants. 10 Is considered "A miracle that no
lives were lost or no one injured.