New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-10-15
STIFLED IN THEIR CELLS.
INMATES OF A PRISON LOCKED IN WHILE
THE BUILDING BURNED
LEFT TO sUFFOCATE BY THEIR KEEPERS-TAKEN
UNCONSCIOUS To HOSpITALS-BALTIMORE
LEFT IN DARKNESS BY FIRE

UNCONSCIOUS To MISREPRESENTATION
LEFT IN DARKNESS BY A FIRE.
Baltimore. Oct 1.-THE combined terrors OF
tempest and food and fire came to Baltimore
last night This morning broke clear. but the
sun shone on fire and food ruins representing
$500 OOO while men lie In the hospital who had
inhaled smoke until they despared Of rescue. and
sank down to die Of suffocation. Some Of them
are now dead The fire started in the electric
light plant of the Brush Company about 10
o'clock last night 1t was caused by the cross
ing of electric light wires. Soon the extensive
plant was in flames. and no effort could save
it from complete ruin. The wind blew
gale. and showers Of sparks were carried great
distances. Rain had. however. been falling In
torrents for hours and the drenched condition
of everything out of doors helped the firemen
in their efforts to confine the confagration to
the block bounded by Madison, Monument, Con-
stituton and Graves SITS.
Suddenly the cry went up that the city Jail
and the Maryland Penitentary buildings front
ing on Madson-st half block away, were on
fire. The sparks carried by the raging gale
had ignicd the caves and found their way
down the ventilating shafts Of the south wing
Of the city Jail. a big stone structure. In the
Jail hundreds of prisoners confined, while
across yard the Maryland Penitentiary had
locked in its cells some 500 convicts There was
an uproar among the prisoners in the Jail
Smoke was filling the Corridors and the guards,
satisfied that the flames would soon be ex-
tinguishcd examined the locks TO see that no
prisoner could escape and then went out in the
air Fear turned into mad panic as the smoke
thickened and the confined men shrieked.
cursed and prayed the thin tongues of flame
crept along the sills into the windows or their
cells They beat their heads and tore their
clothes in an agony of terror One man was
later carried out with a fractured skull.
Meantime the guards carrying the keys
which would have liberated the men from the
horrible smoke and firetrap had realized that
the danger was great. They attempted 10 re-
turn to the upper tiers Of the south wing and
liberate their charges. but were driven back by
the impenetrable smoke. The firemen. urged
on by the shrieks Of the tortured as we'll as
by the cheers of the multitude below. staggered
through the corridors. smashing lock after lock
and releasing the occupants of the cells. Many
OF the prisoners were found unconscious; others
in their mad haste to escape jumped from the
upper tiers to the floor below. Charles Dunn,
colored was fatally injured in this way. and
died this morning 1t was more than two hours
after the Jail took fire before the last uncon-
wagons and ambulances conveyed thirty Of the
more seriously injured to the rearby hospitals.
The other prisoners were treated. and confined
In the north wing Of the JAIL or removed to the
pcnitentiary.
Seventy-eght women were In another wing
Of the Jail. Great excitement prevailed there.
but Matron Bishop gathered the women in the
lower hall and quieted their fears.
The fire was conined 20 the south wing Of
the jail. which was burned from roof to cell
lar. The loss Is estimated at $4,000
AS a consequence of the destruction or the
Brush Electric Light Works the city will be
in comparative darkness for weeks 10 come
there being no other plant equipped To supply
street lights. The loss TO the Brush Company
Is about 5000 600.
The hurricane played havoc along tne
wharves Stores flooded. and business Is
being transacted in boats In streets bordering
on the basin The loss in this direction cannot
yet be computed