The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1892-01-01
HOW THE FIRE WAS FOUGHT.
Help from Detroit Comes Mt the Rate of
Nearly a Mile n Minute.

Help from Detroit Comes Mt the Rate OF
Nearly u Mile n Minute.
Upon the first discovery of the fire the
Pontiac department was notified. The
single steamer in the place made the run
of three miles at a breakneck gait. When
the first stream was turned upon tbs
flames the north wing was seen to be
doomed and every energy was bent to
stopping the fire Mt the center. A 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 fore
ed to retire from the scene. Those who
had run away into the woods were brought
back and placed in the cottages. There
were willing hands in plenty and the I'M
fortunates were soon made as comfortable
as possible.
The Lunatics Yell With Exultation.
The fear was that the fire would make
its way across to the south wing, where
nearly 700 men were confined. Prepare
tions were Immediately made to remove
the men il it became necessary The 200
crazy men tore about the narrow Confines
of their rooms yelling like demons, not
exultation. A few appreciated the danger
and their terror was pitiful. Pontiac's
water system, the direct-pressure Holly
works, was quite inadequate for such a
fire and at so great a distance Zone and
one-half miles) from the pumping works.
1t was necessary to lay long lines of hose.
The Waterman from the city is only
eight inches in diameter. The local fire.
men and citizens fought bravely, but in
effectively.
Detroit Sends Some Assistance.
A call upon the Detroit fire department
was made for assistance, and q special
train bearing n steamer, ladders, and hose
made tho run to the asylum switch in
twenty nine minutes, a distance Of twenty
six miles. The train was run upon q wild
order and the track was cleared for it.
The cars were quickly unloaded and the
men speedily in action. They played
against the fierce flames running with the
wind south through the south wing. The
north wing and the central lower building
were already gone. The work of the
trained men from Detroit counted little in
the face of such n heat, and they could do
nothing but save the cottages.
Had Close Call for Death.
William Dalton and Charles Fisher, cit
liens of Pontiac, distinguished themselves
by their GOODNESS and daring in assisting
the firemen, and had extremely narrow es-
capes. They were slightly hurt by fall
ing wall, but helped to run line of hose
upon the roof. The flames suddenly cut
off their escape to the ladder. While in
this perilous position other ladders were
run up barely in time to save them.
Recovered His Reason.
A curious incident in connection with
the fire was related of n patient who has
long been considered dangerous, but under
the excitement his reason returned to him
and he offered his service in fighting the
fire, which was gladly accepted. The
buildings were valued ut $750,000
The Entire Loss S15O,0O0.
The flremen ceased work on the insane
asylum yesterday morning and not spark
remains in the ruins. Trustee Sawyer
thinks $780, 900 will cover the entire loss.
The work of rebuilding will begin at once