The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1893-02-17
A HORRIBLE FATE
Overtakes the Inmates of an
Insane Asylum.

More Than Forty Unfortunates Perish in
Flames Near Dover, N. H.-Frightful
Scenes Witnessed by Those who Were
Powerless to Save Lives.
DOVER, N, H., Feb. 10-A most shock
ing catastrophe occurred in this vicinity
last night, when the insane asylum of the
Strafford county workhouse, about four
miles out of this city, was entirely de-
stroyed by fire, and forty-one of the in
mates were burned TO death.
The building was two-story wooden
affair, 130x35 feet in dimensions, and
burned like tinder, and only three of the
inmates-Rose Sanborn, James Daley
and Frank Dauchame-were rescued from
the blazing structure.
In making his rounds, shortly after NJ
o'clock last night, Watchman Wilbur
Chesley discovered tn fire. He at once
gave the alarm, and William P. Driscoll,
the keeper, and attendants rushed through
the inmates quarters, which were mainly
on the second floor, and
Burst the Locks
to the cells and tried to apprise the in
mates of their serious danger.
The fire had gained a rapid hea dway,
and the majority of the inmates were SO
bewildered and confused that they re-
tarded the escape of the others, and the
scene was one beyond description and
heartrending to witness.
Keeper Driscoll used every possible eff.
fort to liberate the inmates and remained
jump from second-story window in or
to save himself.
Too Late
A messenger was at once dispatched
to the city for assistance, and steamer
and a portion of the fire department
was sent to the scene, but before assist
ance arrived the building was reduced
to ashes, and nothing remained but the
smouldering ruins.
BY the efforts of the firemen the main
building of the county institution was
saved. Those who arrived on the scene
early will never forget the horrible
scenes witnessed.
The fire brightly illuminated the coun-
try for miles around and the p oor unfor-
tunates could be plainly seen as they
writhed and tossed about In the blazing
furnace.
The fire was first discovered in cell
occupied by woman named La Fomlan,
and was very small, but Watchman Ches-
ley states that is spread with rapiditv
that was astonishing, and before he had
given the alarm to Keeper Driscoll it mad
gained such a headway that the only
thing left to be done was to attempt to
Rescue the Inmates.
The two broke the locks of the flfty
cells, and then got out his wife and two
children, who lived in the building, they
being obliged to leave in their night
clothes. The fire extended to the main
building of the county farm, which was
occupied by more than 100 of the county's
poor.
Superintendent DeMerritt at once Or
ganized fire brigade of these people, and
through their heroic efforts the fire was
subdued.
One of the female inmates of the asy-
lum jumped from the burning building to
the yard below, but was unable to escape,
owing to the high fence that surrounded
that portion of the building and
Shared the Fate of the Others.
The building was erected twenty years
ago and cost $1,000.
How the fire caught is mystery that
no one ems able to explain.
1t took the Dover fremen ninety-five
minutes to reach the scene, the roads be-
ing very icy and in terrible condition.
The charred bodies of many of the vic
Tins can be seen lying on the iron bed
steads where they perished.
Still Mystery.
DOVER, N. H., Feb. A-The second day
Of the coroner's inquiry into the deaths of
the victims Of the disaster at the Strafford
county farm was completed yesterday
and, so far as results are con-
cerned, the cause of the fire Is rs far from
being solved as it ever was.