The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-01-05
FIRE ~ AN INSANE Asylum
Portion OF an Illinois Institution DE.
.troyed-T The Inmatez Rescued.

ANNA, ILL, Jan. THE centre 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. the machinery, laundry
and kitchen departments were saved
The south wing contained the quarters
of female patients, the male patients
being quartered in the north wing. All
the patients. TO the number of 500, were.
IL is thought. safely removed TO other
buildings. Some difficulty IVES experienced
in making the transfer, but there was no
great panic.
The fire was discovered at Il:lO p. NJ,
on tho roof of the centre Sc ction OF the
main hospital building. and the danger
bell was rung 10 alarm the guards ard
arouse the inmates. The fire spread SO
rapidly that the hospital employees in
stantly realized that it could not be con-
trollcd by the meagre fire apparatus win
which the institution was supplied, ana
while some OF the guards rushed through
the halls and corridors. unlocking doors,
and opening windows, others ran 10 the
village and summoned the local fire de-
partment. The hospital contained nearly
00O inmates, and the section which was
destroyed was occupied by over 20o wo-
men. In the south wing of the building
were located about 800 women and chill
dren. and the north wing OF the building
was SCI apart for men, but at no time
was this section I'm danger. AS soon as
the guards gave the alarm the insane
women began screaming and rushing TO
the farther corners of their cells, threw
themselves in n heap on the floor or cots,
and Ia many cases It required the united
efforts OF the several employees to convey
hon, 70. of fatxr hotr n
ten ont safely, however. and were group
ed on the snow-coyered ground. FOR a
few minutes they shivered In the bitter
cold air until they could be marched or
carried to other buildings. The villagers
rushed to the aid of the asylum people,
and rendered valuable aid In resculng the
SICK and refractory inmates.
Savoral times some of the patients broke
| away from their guards and attempted TO
rush back into the burning building. They
were quickly caught, however ana IN
| cases here they We're violent they We're
bound 10 other patients by straps and
ropes. \ gentleman was sent 10 cairo,
ILL.,. asking for the help Of the fire de-
oartment cf that place. 4 special tram
was quickly made up. and the department
reached here at 3 o'clock this mornir z.
The lines OF hose were soon laid, ana four
big streams OF water poured on the burn
ing building. The flames were quickly
gotten under control and the fire was
confined TO the centre section CT the
south wing building. In this department
were located the quarters Of the physl-
| clans and other employees. In many cases
| the officials lost all their instruments
and personal effects. \, close estimate 81
the damage TO the building places the
loss at $27j, ,O00 and IL is believed that this
ie fuIlv covered by insurance, one OF the
female attendant, Miss Ida Anderson, u
! reported missing, and it is feared that
she persisted in the upper dormitory. 1t
IS possible, however. that she may be
| located at one OF the houses OF the VII
| lage, where many Of the attendants were
| carried. on account of being injured by
| burning clothing or suffering from expos
| ure on account of the frightfuiiy coid
weather.