The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1901-01-11

Sight OF Thousands of People Una
bio to Aid Them.
ROCHESTER,, Jan. S.-By tho burning
OF the Rochester Orphan asylum early
today between 80 and 10 lives wero lost
and many of the inmates will die from
burns or other injuries.
The asylum was 3-story structure
and its occupants numbered between 100
and 195.
1t was but few minutes after
o'clock this morning when nurse III
the hospital, Miss Cline, smcllcd smoke
She immediately called another nurse,
Miss Nallient. and the latter reported
the matter to the matron, Miss l.. Dine
hart. The smoke was speedily located
In the bollerroOm anu word was sent to
police headquarters. All the fire appa-
rRtus was rushed TO the burning build
ing. but before the first engine arrived
tho neighborS for blocks around had ar.
rived and were doing their best TO res.
cue the inmates.
Shortly after the fire broke out a boil
er exploded with terrific force, com
pletely blowing out the lower part Of
the west end OF the ConueCtin. wing,
thereby cutting off the escape of the
children In the east end OF the building.
The children nearest to the connecting
wing were apparently dazcd by the force
OF the explosion and with difficulty were
able to take i'll their surroundings when
finally aroused.
IN the east wing We're the sleeping
apartments Of the asylum. They were
located mainly on the second and third
floors. The lower floor was known as
Nha frat nursery and tho pnppr
second. Herein were 10 children or
more. Miss Sarah Ashdown was il
charge for the night and with her was
Miss Brad of the hospital ward, who
was taking care OF two sick children.
The Work of Rescue.
The explosion, though of great force,
was not loud enough TO awaken the
sleeping nurses. When the smoke be-
gan TO pour into the east wing it was
but o matter of n few seconds before
the whole sleeping population was
brought TO q realization of the situation
with q suddenness which ut once seemed
to rob nearly every one of their judg-
mont and mental faculties \ terrible
chorus of cries and groans filled the air.
It was impossible to see anything and
~ the thick smoke poured i'll the scene
became one of indescrible confusion.
The chief nurse, Miss Ashdown, did all
within her power to save the children
aud nurses.
When the firemen arrived On the
scene their attention was first turned to
the inmates of the hospital ward on the
western section of the asylum.
On the floor next to the top was Miss
Brad. With the flames leaping all
around her it seemed impossible to es-
cape. She did. however, but was so Sc
riously injured by falling that she will
not live. 1t was stated by the matron,
Miss Dinchart. that there were 15 girls
An the west wing. Besides there were
Swo children and two nurses in the hos
pital department., which was also in the
west wing. It was estimated ut s o'clock
that all the inmates of the west wing
had been gotten out. either dead or
alive. Many were taken away early
and the number saved and those dead
and injured could with great difficulty
be counted.
The work Of rescue and attempted
rescue was taken by many hands, vol
unteers as we'll as firemen, and in many
cases was carried OH in n manner that
was nothing less that heroic but the
flames gained such rapid Roadway ahd
spread with such incredible speed that
1t was beyond human effort to prevent
GQo loss Oh NE.
Horrors beyond Description.
Ambulances from all the hospitals
were on tho ground as soon as the fire
companies and houses in the ncighbor-
hood were thrown open to receive the
little waits who were carried from the
asylum. Ambulances were started to
she hospitals with the more seriously
burned of the children. In several cases
a. AtaR toft,, 1on1
from the vehicle at the hospital doors.
The horrors near the asylum were be-
yond description.
A large portion of the asylum was de-
stroyed npd the portion that remains
standing Is probably in such condition
shat its demolition will be necessary.
Two young men We're coming down
Plymouth avenue this morning when
they saw smoke issuing from the asy-
lum. Clark imm ediately ran to fire
alarm box and sent in an alarm. Then
he aud his companion ran up the fire es-
cape to the roof of the building farthcSt
sway 'f-o.n the fire. Just as they reached
she top q terrific explosion was heard
and the flames burst forth with renewed
vigor.
4, In few minutes half of the buildings
IN which the hospital was situated were
& u mass of flames. The smoke poured
: from every window aud screams and
frantic cries could be heard coming from
the mprisouedkinmates. The long lad
ders were run mp and plunging into the
sitting smoke, fireman after fireman
came sliding down tho ladders bearing
= stnppimnte forms in their arms. Moss
OF the children and adults carried from
the building were unconscious from the
effects of the smoke.
't'i Fell to Their Death.
When IT became apparent the fire was
not being subdued with the apparatus
already on tho scene, Il general alarm
was sent ont, bringing the remainder of
the department. THE fire was fought