New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-01-05
FLAMESINALUNATTCA ASYLUM
THE ILLINOIS SOUTHERN HOSPITAL
PARTLY BURNED.
DEMENTED INMATES PARALYZED WITH FRIGHT
SAVED FROM TERRIBLE DEATH-oNLY ONE
LIFE THOUGHT TO BE LOST.

LIFE THOUGHT TO BE LOST.
Anna, H., Jan. 4-The centre section and the
south wing of the Illinois Southern Hospital for the
Insane comprising over half of the entire building
were destroyed by fire at early hour this morn
ing The north wing. machinery laundry and
kitchen departments saved The south wing
contained che quarters of the female patients. the
male patients being quartered In the north wing
All the patients to the number of 1000 were it is
thought. safely removed to the other buildings
1t is reported that female attendant, Ida Ander-
son. has been burned, as trace Of her can be
found. The physicians officers and employees in the
burned building lost nearly al! their personal effects.
The fire discovered a; 1l:iO p. m. the roof
of the centre section OF the main building and the
danger bell was rung TO alarm the guards and
arouse. the Inmates The fire spread rapidly
that the hospital employees instantly realized that
1t could no: be controlled by the meagre fire APP
paratus with which the institution Is supplied, and
while some of the guards rushed through the halls
and corridors unlocking doors and opening windows
others ran to the village and summoned the local
Fire Department. The hospital contained nearly
1000 inmates and the section which destroyed
was occupied by over 200 women. In the south
wing of the building located about 300 women
and children. and the north wing of the building
was set apart for the men. and at no time this
section In danger AS soon as the guards gave the
alarm. the insane began screaming and
iuSHiHS W tHc corner OF tnelr Threw
themselves in heap the floor or cot, and in
many cases 1t required the united efforts of several
employees to convey them TO places OF safety They
were got out safely, however, and grouped
on the snow covered ground. For a few minutes
they shvered In the bitter cold air. until they could
be marched or carried to other buildings. The vii
layers rushed to the assistance of the asylum people
and rendered valuable aid in rescuing the sick and
refractory inmates.
Several times some Of the patients broke away
from their guards and attempted to rush back into
the burning building. They were quickly caught
however. and in cases where they were violent they
were bound to other patients by straps and ropes
message was sent to Cairo, ILL.,, asking for the
help or the Fire Department Of that place A
special train was quickly made up ard the hremen
reached here at O'Clock this morning. The lines
OF hose were soon laid and four big streams of
water poured on the burning building The flames
were quickly got under control and the fire was
confined 70 the centre section Of the south wing In
TINS department were located the quarters Of the
PHYSICIANS and other employees. A close estimate
~ the damage TO the building places the loss a;
$2I5~p and 1t is believed this is fully covered by
insurance. ~
Miss Anderson. II is feared. perished in the upper
dorntory; II Is possible. however, that she may
be located at one 'of Che houses of the villagers
where many OF the attendants were carried on
account OF being injured by burning clothing or
'uHerlns from exposure to the cold