The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-06-10

building. which was long known as the
Hotel woodruff, and for brief period
as the Hotel Lancaster. BY far the
greater portion Of the patients received
in the institution were those seeking cure
from the drink habit, and those who were
addicted to the use OF drugs.
When the fire broke out there was on
the NTH floor a number OF patients suf-
fering from delirlum tremens and some
who were deranged by drugs Several
OF these were strapped 10 their beds.
and IL was found impossible 20 save them,
so rapidly did the fire spread through the
building.
ROSTER OF THE DEAD.
The dead so far as known are.
s. j. Newell.
Carl A. Carlson.
Michael Luby
Joseph Harrington.
Samuel Daizell.
DIR. j. T. Stanton.
George A. Ribbick. Hillsdale. Mich.
William Kent. alderman of the Fourth
ward, Chicago.
John Il. knappman.
Mrs. NJ Baumann.
DIR. b. H.. Bold 7S years OF age and
a member OF the medical stan of the IN
stitution.
ORIGIN OF THE FIRE.
The fire originated in the basement OF
the building. and spread rapidly TO tho
upper stories through the elevator shaft.
The blaze was discovered by James
Jewell. a grocer, who noticed smoke
coming from one of the basement win
dows and ran into the engine room 10
ascertain It's cause. Behind the boilers
"A sI.l
few feet OF the elevator shaft he saw
a small flame. The next instant the
flames were caught by the draught In
the elevator shaft and carried up with "a
war Newell shouted to several men In
the alley TO alarm the inmates OF the
building. Several hurried to do this. but
by the time they reached the first floor
of the building the flames had been car
ried to the roof.
SAVED MANY LIVES.
AS the cry OF fire rang through the
building. patients sprang from their
beds and before they could be prevented
several had jumped from the windows
20 the pavement.
The fire department was on the scene
within a few minutes. and as the win
dows were filed with people shriekng
for help the firemen devoted their first
efforts 10 saving livs. While this was the
means OF saving a large number OF peo-
pie, who were carried down the ladders
by the flremen. II gave the fire such n
headway that there was almost no chance
for those on the upper floors of the build
Ing TO make their escape, and such OF
them as were not suffocated were killed
or badly injured by leaping from the
windows.
Alderman Kent was in room on the
NTH floor with his attendant. A w.
Wattles. The alderman, who has been
totally blind for many years. was I'm a
straight jacket. and his hands were
manacled TO a belt around his waist.
When the warning OF fire was sounded
Wattles ran to investigate. He found
the elevator shaft n mass of flames, and
ran back to help the alderman. who
was shouting like an insane person. lie
had groped his way to the door, and
by the time his attendant had reached
him had fallen, overcome with smoke.
wattles tried TO drag him down the
hall TO a place OF safety, but Kent had
become 80 scared that Il was all but
impossible to do anything with him.
RAN FOR HIS LIFE.
wattles was finally compelled TO run
for his life, as the flames were already
scorching his clothing. He ran 20 a
window, across which were iron bars
managed 10 tear two OF these from their
followed him climbed out on the sill
They were seen by the firemen. a lad
der was run up and the three men were
taken down
wattles become crazed with excite
ment and sprang for net which some
men were holding on the side walk and
sustained injuries which probably Will
cause his death
Kent evidently died Of suffocation
Three hours after the outbreak of the
fire his body was found. one leg burned
20 crisp and the head burned on.
LIST OF THE INJURED.
Among those seriously injured are:
J. B. Bishop. St Louis.
q. s. Gott Lavergne III.
A w. Wattles. badly burned on the
head and back. internal injuries: wil
die.
Mrs. Amelia Wilson. burned about the
body and inhaled flame; will probaoiy
die
Mary McManus. badly burned about
the body.
Mrs. B IT. Baumann, burned while
resculng her four-year-old daughter from
third floor; severely burned about body.
j. r. Suit. jumped from third floor into
net. injured internally; will probably die
Is. w. Merties suffocated in building
rescued by police: will recover.
u. Charlie r. Anderson, bruised and
burned.
c. r. Wears. head burned: may die.
c. c. Andrews burned about face
head and body. serious
At least n others received minor In
AN APPALLING SCENE
A scene that wrought 10 the pitch ot
madness was enacted az fourth story
window on the north side Across THIS
window was n heavy wire screen and
on the outside OF the screen were irOr
bar rehind the bars WAfA-pathered 4
crowd OF mon numbeing betweca q an,
90 Escape In other directions was i'm
possible and the one chance for life las
through that barred window.
The men closest 10 the screen tore and
tugged At u IN a vain effort 10 tear 4
from its fastenings and the men behind
them fought nefsy % get close enough