The sun., 1892-01-23
TWENTY DEAD IN THE RUINS.
A sURGICAL INSTITUTE BURNED IN
IyDIANAPOLTS
Nearly All the 1nnntes Were Crsppaes an
Many Were Unable 60 Help Themselves
Those who Renche the windows Saved

Nearly All the inmntes Were crspp'es and
Many Were Unable Go Help Themseives-
Those who Reached the windows Saved
ISp1ANApo11s. Jan. 22.-Nineteon dead bodies
removed from the ruins and the death OF
child from Injuries received. Is the record to-
night OF tho loss OF life caused by the fire that
destroyed the Indiana Surgical Institute early
this morning
When the ire started 248 patients and thirty
nurses were asleep In tho two four-story build
ings at Illinois and Georgia streets occupied
by the institute. When Fire Chief Webster
arrived and saw the buildings already en-
veloped In flames his first order was: Let the
building burn and save the people,"
Every effort was made by the flremen. tho
police. and the ambulance corps to carry out
this order. and many acts OF heroism were
performed
Tho fire started at midnight in the offlce
building. above which were the wards for
babes and mothers. known as the A. b. C. de-
partmenta Smoke was discovered issuing
from a room adjoining the operating room
back OF the office
The nre Is said to have started from the
spontaneous combustion Of chemicals. and In
fifteen minutes the whole lower floor wa, In
| flames.
Tho attendants awakened all the patients. In
each OF the small rooms throughout the build
ing we're from one to four bcds all occupied by
| patients. many OF whom wero helpless. When
they became aware OF their peril they tried
frantically to reach places OF safety.
| In a few minutes white faces appeared at
each window Of the largo building. The police.
flremon. and attendants all worked diligently,
and many patients were taken from the upper
| floors by means OF ladders. Tho patients who
could get about assisted in the work Of rescue.
| A.VI. a Al,Ns sA.S~ hnfO tha
fire had communicated to the main building.
inmates wrapped in bed clothing crawled and
helped themselves along from one floor to an
other. The crowd turned In to help in the
| work OF rescue
Cots were rudely constructed from mat
| tresses and policemen carried the helpless
persons across the street to tho new annex.
| At least 125 persons were taken out BY the
| Hremen and carried to adjoining stores
Where the dining room and kitchen were
the building was quickly gutted. Above these.
on the third and fourth floors. were sleeping
apartments for patients.
When the fire was discovered every means
OF escape from these rooms was cut of. aud
many perished in them. Tho flames ate up
the entire interior Of the building. and when
the floors gave way and fell to the
bottom many may have been killed
whose bodies have not yet been found.
Piyc bodies Cd 81 were taken out In one heap about
had been taken out No more have since % BEEN
ways were narrow., the halls dark. and the
one Of the stsirways winding around a court
Tae sH sbost Of s Rs' 9ad Ssht and
2 %an's ma nI..Ina head It must have been neHt
amposs1ie pc s9T tw9 persons to Pass in It
beds. most Of which were occupied last night.
were found dead. kneeiing in the attitude OF
prayer. The windows in the room were up.
bHt the occupants had apparently made no
nnS In q the he ssoG Sos men yas
found way into the room room slowly. f and he was a
=; 1.sSs ossn sslSo$ ss
ho at T9dSvs
that a leap was almost certain death. turned
back. and were overcome by the smoke and
Pr Allen the executive oficer Of the insti
SaHe sad idfss hal, hours
warning. and all could have escaped il they
9ssss T bs bsahT she1.sss III ts
down in abject fear and refused to move. The
delay was fatal. The smoke came. and they
were stined. In the Georgia street building
there were four ways Of escape-two fre es-
capes, and two stairways.
In the main building were more stairways
and other means OF escape. In my opinion
but for fright all would have got. out"
Lists OF the dead and injured thus far identi-
fed are as follows:
!KNA PAySv. aged 49, Dexter. Mo.
sSt ss::: :ssf /! h=safs: h.ass:'s' w n
Mrs. LAz.Hrs Chicago
srELLA SrIRoLI.
Nrs i BUss. sUsS. and g. nSephsM s. & Paul NInn.
HASSAN Brock. Taylorsvillc. III.
Mxs, ksSk pEIsspoE, S.,iiwHtsr MINI MINI
FANNIE BREEnrN, Memphis.
M.nriS De Glow, aged $. Farnhar Neb: died from
burns.
MINNIE LlzARrs. aged :. leg broken.
Mrs. u. H. IpESA and son. both severely injured.
Mrs TnoNas 1s4 Massachusetts avenue burned about
FAM! BRErDFS: Memphis burned in dozen places.
BY Is'I from ladder: PROBABLY fatally ''''''
da.sf Van ho..Hs Athens. AZ % N. y. hand and ear
GAnsscT MAD. A.hsns y: y ley slightly hurt.
WiLLiAt n ALs.cn pnnktrk: n. Y. slightly burned.
jumping out Of third story window. ~
siaasx VIA. sIy,ns aso's' by falling
Conny M sH..rsa snis Ss,
M window IN the front part OF the building
srs sI g !, sI.,,9x y. 9.u. and little girl burned
tns s sfHnna 70 the first o0r
W. NJ. WipESER Niami county, o.. fatally crushed