Evening journal., 1902-12-01
Unknown Ori9in-H
rns FierceIy for Sew
Al Hours Despite the
ork OfLocaI Firemen
.Oners Removed From
lis and Guarded by
ty POIicemen-Buck
ilnnin9han Escaped
stee, Joseph L. Car
nter Places Loss at
oout $25,OOO-Insur-
.ce But $4,000

pOtAt PN OjOOO AHotAA
ice But $4,000
81 result OF the most unfortunate
A sastrous fire that has ever oc-
in the vicinity of this city, the
portion of the New Castle coun-
rkhouse is almost entirely des-
the only remaining part Of the
escaping the fury of the flames
at one time threatened to con-
he entire structure was the left
If the building used mainly by
4 isoners for sleeping quarters.
lie the fire ragged fiercely in the
wing the prisoners were all con
nth the exception Of a few "trus-
IN the western end of the build
hey could at times see the bright
4 5f the fire and hear the crashing
ts Of falling portions of the in
of the structure as the flames
5llly eat away the supports OF the
4 'ous weights they held up.
I guards. assisted by the police de-
from this city, walked among
u en- assuring the frightened ones
sacifying the more unruly pris-
Il who demanded to be taken from
!. Hiding. and in their frenzy en-
3 -ed tobatter down the iron doors
held them safely in their cells.
frenzied laughter of many and
frightened walls Of others,
n in chorus, could be heard by
who surrounded the building
I frisoners in their cells could cas-
seen by the people on the out
nd while some pleaded to be let
nthers of the confined unfortu-
cried out in blasphemous fury
leir release.
stee ]. Frank Ball arrived on
\ enc shortly after the fire started
With Chief Warden MeserYe
d along the corridors and assured
risoners Of their safety.
Started in Workhouse b
fire started in the workshop oi
Institution early in the evening
vas discovered by Assistant Ma
Smith. The guards, assisted by
trusted prisoners began to bat
q flames. which in a remarkably
time gained rapid headway des'
heir efforts. Word was sent tC
itv for assistance and Chief Con
of the fire department ordered
Veccacoe and Water Witch com
to respond to the call.
hen the apparatus arrived at IN
,ouse the east wing of the struc
had already succumbed to tn
and was doomed. The firemeI
devoted their efforts to the cen
building but we're handicappe'
Sc no ladders could be obtained
ccessfully battle the fire from al
,tageous position. Both engins'
stationed at the artificial lax
the institution and pumped waite
from the pond. but as the hame
only be partially reached 1roI
. Interior of the building little wa
lplished.
Prisoners Boisterous
nile in the stockade the prisoner
4 re 1blsterous. Some sang, Other
,ssed their delight at the burnin
a Institution in loud voices. Tier
some. however, who stood again'
wall surrounding their tempordr
:, evidently unconcerned. Onc
al barrels Of apples were sweI
Il ,Le stockade by the force of waite
ne through the tunnel and thel
a general scramble among the prii
5 to secure the fruit. Much prai'
le the TRUSTEES" who assisted tn
ials of the institution in evi'
ble way to battle the flames an
4 the inmates of the Jail. Esq
? can this be said of Frank Collin
der from Delaware City, who W.
under $500 recently for a hea
|# IN llt 0Ouil VI 0CAtAeA RN'1AoH
gcd With larceny Of an overcoat.
Collins Fought Fire
hen a reporter OF the EveniI
nal saw Collins the latter WI
ing water on the fire in the ca
from the rotunda of the buildin
We him flames were gradually ca
away the roof, causing plaster
about the brave soldier in lar
IS. He stuck to his post, howev6
there was evident signs Of the e
roof at that point falling
rs srs deserve as much credit, but th
the only instance that came und
notice of the scribe. Before Z
oners were removed from the bur
structure to the stockade many
nts occurred which amused I
81 tators. While many Of the pr
s were bewailing their fate a
s ing frenzied attempts to break O
n heir cells, confirmed negro shol
s hat there was gwine to be a roi