Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-02-21
IN HOSPITAL
Patient. TaaSsed Out in the Bit.
ter Cold.


In spltssaf = wild fhnic-Ffve Hundred
Iussss e Take Card oG and Little Time
- spsrs = Tempesature Oatside Ten
Absvs xers-Frenzy or the Lunatics-A
Lsn - olao, 600 with No Insurance.
RoCREsreR, n. Y, Feb. A.-While
Night watchman Wendell Smith was
making his rounds At the Rochester state
hospital he discovered flames issuing
from the laundry of the institution, To-
Gated in the basement of the building in
which the unfortunates of the state are
confined. The flames spread rapidly ow-
ing to the lack of water and the building
was partly destroyed. From the moment
the first cry of fire was given the inmates
Of the building were in state of intense
excitement. Their shouts and cries were
pitifuL The officials Of the institution
decided that the safety of the inmates de-
manded their removal which was accom-
plished without loss of life. The burned
building was four-story brick structure
lOOxsO feet in dimensions and was built
fifteen years ago. DIR. Howard. warden of
the institution, said that the loss would
amount to $4,000. There is no insur-
ance. At the time the fire broke out there
were in the building I'D male inmates, 2IS
female inmates and ll0 keepers and ofii-
cials. &
Patients Drive6 Frantic.
There was a strong south wind blowing,
and at one time it seemed as if the portion
of the structure in wf1Gh the female pa
tients were housed M st necessarily be
consumed. At Oils o'Cybck, while the fire
was raging at Its height, and the sun was
scarcely above the horizon, with the mer-
curry down to 10 above zero, the physicians,
Howard, Potter aud Remington, after a
hurried consultation, concluded that the
safety Of the female patients required their
removal to the building in which the male
| wards are located. This removal was ef-
| fccted with remarkable dispatch, consider
ing the terrible confusion all around, by
the cool and courageous attendants The
patients were driven frantic by the light
| and the noise. Some, of course. were quiet
and $, .ntly sane TO appreciate their
danger ...ihOut Possessing the mental
| control to face it. Some rushed wildly out
Of the building only tobe caught Others
were stubborn and had to be dragged to
place of safety.
Think None Escaped.
All this was amid the cries and sounds
Of terror naturally to be expected from the
frightened and crazed inmates While
they were in no immediate danger the
removal was n preliminary measure which
the events proved unnecessary But this
did not rU9uUSo- .fr0R the occurrence the
wildness and terror atfehded upon smoke,
flames, cries Of frenzieti }vomen, the shouts
Of the firemen and the &ool persistence Of
the attendants in caring for their charges.
This scene of confusiot was shOrtlived.
At O'Clock not only w&s the removal ac-
complished. but the fira(Pvas SO far under
control that the removs was seen to have
been unnecessary to II safety of the 2l3
female patients. Whetker there are 2l3
fer&ale patients now in ehe institution can
only be dertemined FROM count, but the
physicians are confident that none es-
capped. and it is certain that only one was
injured during the fire.