Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-01-05
YOSTS ALLEGED FRAUD.
INSANE ASYLUM FIRE.
Women's Ward Observation-Disclosures AL
Gotten Out-An Attendant Missing.

ANNA. ILL, January 4.-The centre
section and south wing of the Illinois
Southern Hospital for the Insane, COM
prislng over half Of the entire building.
was destroyed by fire at an early hour
this morning. The north wing and the
machinery. the laundry. and the kitchen
departments were saved. The south wing
contained the quarters OF the female pa
tientS the male patients being quartered
in the north wing. All the patients, to
the number of 30, were, II Is thought,
safely removed to other buildings. Some
difficulty was experienced in making the
transfer but there was no great panic.
LATER.-The fire was discovered at
II 40 l.. NJ. on the roof Of the centre sec
ton OF the main hospital building. and the
danger-bell was rung TO alarm the guards
and arouse the inmates. The fire spread
so rapidly that the hospital employees
instantly realized that IL could not be con-
trOlled by the meagre fire apparatus with
which the institution was 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 de-
partment.
The hospital contained nearly 1000 in
mates, and the section which was de-
stroyed was occupied by over 200 women.
In the south wing OF the building We're
located about 800 women and children,
and the north wing of the building Is set
apart for men, and at no time was this
section in danger.
AS soon as the guards gave the alarm
the insane women began screaming ana
rushing to the farther corners or their
cells, throwing themselves in heap on
floor or cot, and in many cases 1t required
the united efforts of several employees
to convey them to places of safety. They
were gotten out safely, however, ana
were grouped In the snow-coVered
grounds. For a few minutes they shiv-
cred in the bitterly-cold air. until they
could be marched or carried to other
buildings.
The villagers rushed TO the assistance
OF the asylum people and rendered Valu-
able aid In rescuing sick and refractory
inmates. Several times 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 Ut -.
ing FOR the help of the fire department
OF that piece A special train was quickly
made up and the department reached here
nj 3 O'Clock this morning. Lines OF nose
were soon laid and four DIE streams 9i
water were poured on the burning Duilu-
ing The flames ware quickly gott u
under control and the fire was conhnel
TO the centre section OF the south wing
OF the building. In this department wers
located the quarters OF the pnysclans aha ,ha
other employees. and In many cases the
officials lost all their instruments and per-
sonal effects. close estimate or 'ne
damage 20 the building places the loss az
ss75 na and II is believed that this II fuliy
covered by insurance. One OF the female
attendants. Miss Ida Anderson. Is reported
missing. and II Is feared she perished IN
an upper dormitory. II Is possibie, how-
aysr that she may be located at ore OF
the houses OF the village. where mn OF
Tie attendants were carried on nj
or being injured by burning clothing or
suffering from exposnrs on account vi
the frightfully-cold weather.