St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-01-22
A SCENE OF HORROR,
Indianapolis Surgical Insti-
tute Destroyed by Fire at
Midnight.
Crippled Inmates, Crazed by
Fright, Make a Piteous
Spectacle.
Several Unfortunates Burned
Fatally and Many May
Be Lost.
Numbers Of the Patients, in
Numbers Of the Patients, in
Their Terror, Jump and
Suffer Fearfully.

INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. %, 1890 a. H.
The Indiana Surgical institute burned
tonight, the flames breaking out Just
before midnight in the old annex
When the fire department arrived on
the scene the windows were full of
screami ng, moaning cripples, and the
scene was one of horror beyond de-
scription. The work of rescue was be-
gun at once with ladders, and the in
mates were removed with great rapidly,
but at least thirty we're injured, some
terribly. In the confu sion and excite
ment it is almost impossible to get
names, but some of the worst hurt are:
Mrs. Gales. of Madison, Ind, fell from
ladder with child in her arms; internally
injured.
Kate Elstrang, Indianapolis. fatally burne
Mrs. Thomas, Indianapolis. fatally burn ed
Fannie Breeder, Memphis, Tenn, badly
burned; recovery doubtful
Mary Stearns, Farrien, To-, burned about
feet.
= Clara Norris address unknown, back in
jured.
Grant Van Hoesen, Athena, n. Y, hand
and ear burned.
Clarence Mead. Athens, N. Y. leg hurt.
William Halbach, Dunkirk. N Y, burned.
IL,
hurt in jumping.
". W; Snyder, Troy, o., internally injured
falling from window.
Will Mansfield. Oswego, N. Y, foot hurt
in jumping.
Mrs. John S. Stokes, Dansville, ILL.,. ankle
sprained.
Nellie Mason, Warworth county. Wiscon-
sin, jumped from third story and is fatally
hurt.
Mrs. Lazarus, of Texas, jumped from the
third story and viii die.
Mrs. G. j. Simpson and child, seriously
hurt.
R. Conner. fell through hole in the floor:
fatally hurt
May Ballinger. Indianapolis, terribly
burned.
There is story that fifteen or more
lnvalldS in the annex were suffocated,
but this cannot be either verified or dis
proven. The patients were carried TO
various hospitals and hotels as
fast as rescued. and nobody knows
who is missing. One girl was
seen to come to the window aud a mo-
ment later tall back into the flames.
After the fire had been in progress half
an hour twenty women were found
standing on rear roof Just ready to
Jump. They had not attracted attention
IN the confusion, though screaming at
the top of their voices. They were res
cued in safety.
SSUilO q VI tllG lullldlCS SUI
Tered from exposure, and some of them
may die. The feet of one boy who was
forgotten and lay helpless in bed were
so badly burned that the flesh fell
from the bones. His head was near
WinOw, and this alone saved him from
strangulation. Most of the victims are
in restaurant near by, where the scene
is appalling. Mrs. DR.. Button, lady
physician, is missing, and it is thought
she has persisted in the flames
Ii time proves true the rumor that
fifteen have persisted terrible respon-
Sibillty rests upon the owners of the in
stitate. 1t was terrible firetrap. The
old annex and main building were moth
ing more nor less than old-fashioned
four-story business blocks. The halls
were narrow, as also were the stair
ways. There were no proper exits, no
conveniences to be used in case of fire.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. Jan. %, 2:4O a.
ma rumor is current that several
dead have been found in the debris.