The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-11-01
FIRE TERRIFIES CONVICTS.
SMOKE AND THE NOISE OF ALARM
FENETRATE TO TIE CELLS.

Preparation to Remove Prisoners from
the Main building. but the Fire In the
Administration Building Was Finally Got
Under Control and II Wasn't Necessary.
A fire which started in tho baking rooms OF
Sing Sing prison did nearly 100000 worth OF
damage TO the line new administration build
ing OF that institution Yesterday morning and
WAS eKtiEguishsd only after d stubborn hight.
in which the combined fire departments OF al
the nearby villages engaged. At ono time IL
was thought that IL would be necessary to let
the prisoners out OF their cells. and IL this plan
had been carried out there would certainly
have been a terrible srsns for some OF the con-
vets were badly scared Principal Keeper
ConnauShton. however. decided 20 keen all the
men In tue cells until II became absolutely
necessary 10 let them out. shortly after he
came to this determination the flrsnen got the
flames undercontrol and the kse pers succeeded
in quieting the men.
The new administration building which was
the ONLY one to sustain any damage. was built
during former Warden Ssge's term o, Office.
II 10 the finest building Of tho group inside Of
the prison walls and contains besides the bake
shops. winch are on the top floor. two chapels
one Protestant and one Catholic. the prison
ospital and the general mess hall. John Y.
McKane was in charge OF the gang that dec ,
GRATED the interior o! the building. and the
chapel contains some very fine specimens OF
wood carving. In the hospital at the time the
fire started were about thirty patients. all OF
whom were safely removed
1t was . O'Clock In the morning when n
watchman discovered -mok" coming from the
windows Of the lake shop lie ran upstairs to
investigate. hut was driven back by smoke and
fame. lie called for help and the whole night
watch joined him and attempted TO put out the
fire with buckets Of water. The flames con-
tinued TO gan headw.y aud SO word was tee-
took the volunteer force half an hour to get
TO the prison with their srparatus. aud when
pressure in the hydrrnts O. throw stream TO
the ROOT of the building. which was now almost
A telephone call for assistance was sent to
Peekskill and 1arrytown. and engine compa:
MES from these places arrive in time 10 be of
ss tSsm I to the s rS H'f but
II could get the ianes under control they ate
way RRsG 4Ho eli root saSsa sss
nothing to do but keep the water On the smoul-
dsring mbers; which was done Unit! about .
O'Clock when the fire was declared out.
In the meantime the changing 81 bells: the
outcries OF the ,nrensn and kecpers. and the
presence o'smGks the corridors OF the prison.
had alarmed tho l,2oO convicts in the coils,
some Of them began to yell TO he let out. others
to surts ara oinTrs to ssri's Willy troT rrrs
that there was no tancer. but their assurances
that II was decided 10 let them out into the
| corridor II the flames made any more
hradwny. and as to be ready
for anything that might happen. men armed
with Winchester rifles were placed AZ the head
oieach corridor, When II hecnm. cviden, that
| tho prison building was not going to catch Are
| tho prisoners were again assured that they
were safe, and thew finally became quiet Tho
only men who were taken out Of their cells
wore I.vru who are awaiting execution.
Among these was DIR. Kennedy. the murderer
OF Dolly Reynolds,
Warden johnson said yesteriay afternoon
that the damage would reach about SSO0OO.
Tread for tn" prisoperS for yesterday and to-
day was sent IN from this city