The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1892-01-27
PERISHED IN THE FLAMES.
The National Surgical Institute at
indianapolis Burned.
Five Hundred Helpless Cripples Entrapped
and Many Are Burned to Death
Others Injured in Attempt a
ing to Escape-sixteen
Bodies Recovered.

the most appalling fires in the history
of Indianapolis occurred tonight The
National Surgical Institute, one OF the
most famous institutions of its char
acter in the United States, burned to
the ground. The fire started at mid
night in the old annex, a block separat-
ed from the building by just narrow
space. Before the fire was discovered
the whole interior was ablaze. The in
stitute had about 500 inmates, most OF
whom were helpless cripples
The origin of the fire is claimed to
have been from the spontaneous com
bustion of some chemicals which had
been placed in the room and circulars
and papers about the room soon were
ablaze, and in fifteen minutes the whole
lower floor was envcloped in flames.
The attendants barely awakened all OF
the patients in the halls and up
per rooms .Pandcnonium reigned.
Shrek after shrek for help went
up as the inmates realized their
terrible situation. In few mo-
ments white and thoroughly frightened
faces appeared at each window OF the
large building and the lips could be
seen beseeching succor from those be-
low yet their voices could not be heard.
Prayer after prayer went up from the
unfortunate creatures already the vic
tins of cruel circumstances, that they
might not perish in flames after sutfer-
ing the most terrible pains from their
Affections The police, and fremen, and
attendants, all worked diligently and
in perfect accord, and many were the
patients taken from the upper floors by
means of ladders and carried to places
of safety by them. The patients, both
male and female, themselves under or
binary circumstances unable to barely
get about, assisted most nobly in the
work OF rescue.
A view in the halls and on the stair
ways before the fire had communicated
to the main building furnished weird
sight Inmates wrapped in bed cloth
ing crawled and helped themselves
along from one floor and one landing to
the other Many were touching, such
as friends stopping to assist others
more unfortunate. The citizens turned
in to help in the work of rescue. Cots
were rudely constructed from mat
tresses and strong-armed policemen
picked the unfortunate ones and car
ried them across the street TO the
new annex but recently purchased
by Drs. Allen and Wilson. An immense
crowd gathered about and great anxiety
was felt for it seemed improbable that
every body could have gotten out of the
burning mass alive. The cases Of burned
hands and bodies are numerous and
though no deaths are yetreported there
will be number. Latest report is that
several dead bodies have been found.
also two of the women who jumped
from the upper stories have died. At
least thirty were injured, some terribly.
In the confusion and excitement it is
almost impossible to get names, but
some of the worst hurt are:
Mrs Gales OF Madison, Ind, fell from lad.
der with a child In her arms, internally injured
Kate ElStrungt lnulanhpOls, laullly DuTneu
Mrs Thomas, indianapolis, fatally burned.
Fannie Breeder, Memphis, Tenn, badly
burned; recovery doubtful.
Mary Stcarns, Warren, Ia., burned about the
feet
Clara Morris address unknown, back injured.
Grant Van HOesen, Athens, + Y, hand and
car burned
Clarence Mead, Athens, N. Y, leg hurt
William IIalbach DuniiTk, n. Y, burned.
Flora Knowles. Independence, Ind back hurt
in jumping.
falling from window.
viii Mansfield, otsego, n Y, foot hurt in
jumping.
Mrs John S Stokes, Danvillc. H., ankle
spraned.
Nellie Mason, Warworih county, Wis, jumped
from third story and Is fatally hurt
Mrs Lazarus, Of Texas jumped from third
story window.
Mrs G. Simpson and child, seriously
burned.
r. Connor, fell through hole in floor, fatally
hurt
May Ballinger, indianapolis, terribly burned.
LATER Thus far sixteen bodies have
been found in the burned building.
They arc hurnpd bevond recognition