Birmingham age-herald., 1895-01-05
AN INSANE HOSPITAL Discovered to Be in Flames, and
 Pandemonium Reigned.
  WITTvs GREAT DIFFICULTY RoS .ued Patients Were Pre-
 ented From Returning to x the Burning Structure,
WITV GREAT DIFFICULTY

ANNA, Ill.,, Jan. 4.--The center section
 and south wing of the Illinois Southern
 hospital for the insane, comprising over
 half of the entire building was destroyed by
 fire at an early hour this morning. The
 north wing, machinery laundry aud
 kitchen department were saved. The south
 wing contained the quarters of the female
 patients, the male patients being quar-
 tered in the north wing. All the patients,
 to the number of 500, were. it is thought,
 safely removed to other buildings.
 The fire was discovered at Il 40 D. m. on
 the roof of the center section of
 main hospital building, and the danger
 bell was rung to alarn he guards and
 arouse the inmates. fire spread so
 rapidly that the hospital managers in-
 stantly realized that it could not be
 controlled with the meagre fire apparatus
 with which the institution is supplied, and while some of the guards rusaed through
 the halls and corridors, unlocking doors
 and opening windows, others ran to the
 village and summoned the local fire depart- ment.
 The hospital contained nearly 1000 in-
 mates, and the section which was destroyed
 was occu pied by over 200 women. In the south wing of the building were located about 300 women and children, and the
 
 for men, and at no time was this section in danger. AS soon as the guards gave the alarm insane women began screaming, and rushing to the further corners Of their cells threw themselves in a heap on the floor or cot, and In many cases it required the united efforts of several employees to convey them to places of safety. They
 were gotten out safely, however, and were grouped on the snow-coyered ground. For few minutes they shivered in the
 bitter cold air until they could be marched or carried to the other buildings.
 The villagers rushed to the assistance of the asylum people and rendered valuable aid In reecuing the sick and refractory in- mates. Several times some of the patients broke away from their guards and at- tempted to rush back into the burning building, but they were quickly caught, | however, and in cases where they were violent they were bound to other patients | by straps and ropes.
 A gentleman was sent to Cairo, Ill.,, | asking for the help of the fire department | of that place. A special train was quickly l made up, and the department reached here | at o'clock this morning. Lines of hose | were soon laid and four big streams of | water were poured on the burning build ling. The flames were quickly gotten l under control aud the fire was confined to the center section of the south wing in the 1 building. In this department were located the quarters of the physicians and other | employees. In many cases the officials 7st l all their instruments and personal effects. A close estimate of the damage to the | building places the loss at Sz75 900, and it | is believed this is fully covered by insur- | ance. One female attendant, Miss Ida | Anderson, is reported missing, and it is | feared she perished in the upper dormitory. | It is possible, however, that she may be | located at one of the houses of the village, | where many of the attendants were carried | on account of being injured by burning | clothing or suffering from exposure on ac' | count of the frightfully cold weather. "What's the matter with the griddle | cakes?'' "Why, forgot to use Dr. Prices 8 | Baking Powder.'