Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-03-02
FIRE NEARLY DESTROYED
NEBRASKA PEA|IEHT|ARY,
NOTHING REMAINS BUT ONE SMALL
WING, THE CHAPEL, AND A RE-
SERVE CELL ROOM.
PRISONERS UNDER GUARD.
WILL PROBABLY BE KEPT IN TENTS
TILL A NEW BUILDING CAN
BE PROVIDED.

LINCOLN. Neb., March This
Nebraska State ~penitentiary, three
miles from this city, was almost de-
stroyed by fire which started last mid
night. The loss will exceed 100000.
There was no disorder among the con-
victs, who Were guarded by militiamen
hastily summoned from Lincoln. The
main building of the penitentiary was
the east wing occupied by the warden,
the chapel and a small reserve cell
room. Every ~precaution had been
taken TO guard the prisoners. who were
removed to the reserve room under ex-
ira guard without difficulty. Lieut..
Gov. Savage arranged 10 have a sum-
Client number OF the National Guard
sent to the penitentiary to prevent any
escapes being made. SO far as known
there have been no u injured, and
the prisoners viii be provided for In
the reserve cell ROOMS IN the east wing.
The fire was discovered by Warden,
Davis shortly before midnight. when
he was aroused by the cracking of
flames and odor of smoke. An alarm
VAS Immediately given. c~ouvicts.
guards and employees were aroused,
and an appeal was ~telephoned the Lan-
coin fire department for help. The
convicts were ordered to clothe them
selves and were marshalled into the
great court yard, where. FOR several
hours, 800 of them were kept standing
in a long double line under the es-
plonage OF a score of armed guards
~patrolling the top OF the wall sur
rounding the yard.
Warden Davis and his aides made
quick work OF removing the books,
records and papers OF the institution
to a place of safety. Nothing else OF
value was saved from the burning
structures.
The fire originated in a kitchen of
the warden's apartments, in the upper
story of the main building, almost d.
rectly over the office and near the ceif
house running down from the west
end of the yard.
From the kitchen the flames spread
in all directions. gradually eating their
way westward through the new cell
house and eastward through the mahs
building. The Lincoln fire departments
responded with hose carts aud steam-,
ers, and two streams from the pond
were soon playing on the flames with
the effect. however, OF only temporar-
lily checking their spread.
After it was seen that the major por-
ton OF the building was doomed. all
efforts were concentrated on the east
end of the building, occupied by the
deputy warden, chapel. and contains
ing a reserve cell room. The wood
work in this portion of the building
was thoroughly soaked and the fire.
men finally succeeded In saving ii.
All bedding and extra clothing for
the eonvicts was destroyed, and II IL
probable that until permanent quarters
| can be provided. the convicts will have
10 sleep in tents.
Warden Davis took charge Of the
institution on February 10th.
II have no opinion TO offer regard
ing the origin of the flames" said War
| den Davis. Several trusty convicts
prepared supper for my family In the
room at 6 o'clock. but all OF them re-
tired to their cells early in the even
ing"
Late estimates reduced the probable
losses to 5000, 900. A remarkable feat
ure of the ruins Is that the great walls
of the main building. which were OK
thick, heavy stone, crumbled bike pulp
under the intense heat. The actions or
the prisoners were also remarkable.
They were apparently the least con-
cerned of all the excited men when the
fire was at its height. and never was 8
| body OF supposed layless men moro
tractabIe and orderly. Perfect prison
| discipline was maintained. and not a
| convict was injured. Casualties among
| the fire fighters were confined to slight
! burns or bruises.