The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1895-08-07
The autumn and winter passed

The autumn and winter passed
quickly, with little change in the lives
of the 500 people within the asylum
walls. In the spring there was an un-
usual hustle incident to the introduc-
tion of electric lights. These worked
we'll for month, but one night early
in May as walked out Of the dining
room, after my midnight lunch, my
attention was attracted by the flashing
of two electric wires that had become
foulded near one of the buildings. In
a moment the cornice was ablazc. |
ran to the bell rope and sounded the
fire alarm, and had scarcely done so
before the entire roof of the building
was on fire. The townspcople responded
with bucket brigades and hand-en-
gine, but they were of little use, for
the old building that had stood there
for nearly 200 years, burned like paper
and quickly communicated with the
other buildings. Despairing Of saving
these the entire asylum force cxerted
themselves to get the patients out:
This was accomplished quickly, aDd
they stood grouped together on the
lawn, gazing in silent awe at the de-
struction of their home.
The firemen worked hcroically to try
and save the executive building. but
it caught on fire from the roof and
rapidly burned downward. just then
some one started the report that fe-
male patient had run into the burning
structure. DR.. Dupree heard it and
rushed in through the smoke.
A moment before I had noticed Co.
vann standing with group of patients
near by, and as DR.. Dupree disappear
ed Covann was seen to spring forward
and follow him into the doomed build
ing.
"Cavann has waited years fora chance
to kill the superintendent, and ne ii
do it now, sure
We tried to force our way through n
the smoke and heat that surged through
the doorway, but it was no use. Ex-
plosions from the drug-room told that
the flames had captured the lower
floor, and both DR.. Dupree and his
pursuer were thought to have perished:
Just then the bell tower burned
away, and down crashed the bell from
it's height, its wild changing seeming
to sound the death-knell of the two
men within. But louder than its
sound or the crashing Of timbcrs was
the shout that went up from the crowd
as through the fame-swept doorway
plunged old Covann, carrying the in
sensible form of DR.. Dupree in his
arms, his own coat wrapped about the
doctors head. He staggered forward
and fell with his burden. The super
intendent was taken in charge by the
physicians and soon revived unharm-
ed. I bent over Covann.
''Some water-quick T. he gaspcd.
I grasped fire BUCKET and held it
to his lips. With the quenching of
that fiery thirst his strength seemed
to leave him, aud the hand that held
mine grew weaker in its clasp. But
the light 5f reason shone in his eyes,
and his face bore no sign Of the ma
MACS cunning.
'Is DR.. Duprce safe p he asked
eagerly. IT,
"Good He's an elegant gentle
man. I couldn't see him sacrificed,
you understand. Mr.. Watkins, I'm
going to leave the old asylum now.
Don't forget me, for I've loved you
And remember, my boy, remember,
you may have her. You shall have
her. 'I-lcave-her'
But the sentence was never finish
ed. for he fell back-dead
And the flames roared and surged
| unhecded, for the officers and men
stood with uncovered heads, in silent
honor, about the body of old Covann,
| on whose face rested the same sweet
| smile it had worn the night | found
him sleeping. y
I am not now connected with the
luuatic asylum, but have found new
home and assumed grayer responsible
tiles on an old river plantation in King
William county, where I have learned
what it means to be happy.
And here in the garden by the rivet
bank, where many-hued roses mingle
their delicate odors with ,.a sweet
perfume of the magnolia, Covann
sleeps with his fathers, while the rip
pling waters of the Pamunky, and the
singing of the wind in the pine trees,
make music through the long summer
nights. WILLIAM i. FOSTER.
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