Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1902-06-13

Chicago, June 1o.-Ten lives were
lost in n fire that swept through the
sanitarium of the st. Luke society, an
institution for the treatment of habit
ual users of drugs and liquors, Wabash
avenue and Twenty-first street, Mon
day afternoon, among the victims be-
ing Alderman William E. Kent, of the
Fourth ward, known as "Blind Billy"
Kent. Some beat out their strength
against the iron-barred windows and
! double-locked doors that cut them off
from freedom and life on the top floor
of the five-story building, and others
hurled themselves to death or fatal
injuries on the pavcments of the
street. Eleven persons are missing,
some of whom are probably among
bodies which were burned beyond
recognition. Thirty-two persons were
injured.
Following is the list of the known
dead:
S. j. Newell. 474 Fairfield avenue.
Joseph Harrington. IL South Carpenter:
| salesman
Samuel Dalzell, st. Luke's society; paper
| hanger.
DR.. j. T. Stanton. lS2 North Curtis sire ct.
| ]. h. Bishop. St. Louis, Mo.
George A. RIbbeck Hillsdale, Mich.
Alderman William Kent, 250i Princeton
avenue.
John b. Knapman, 1919 Fifty-fourth street.
Mrs. NJ Baumann, Florence Crittenden
Anchorage. lS49 Wabash avenue.
DIR. j. II. Boyd, $500 Calumet avenue; died
at Mercy hospital.
The cry of fire was sounded through
the building. Patients sprang from
their beds, and before they could be
restrained, jumped from the win
dows. Some were shackled to their
beds and left to suffocate. Attend
ants helped their patients until forced
to abandon them. Wild excitement
followed. The fire department then APP
peared on the scene. Following Il
marshal's arrival Ali alarm was
turned in and all the officials at the
head of the fire department hurried to
the scene. Ladders were hoisted up
and men and women were carried out.
Alderman Loses His Life.
On the third floor in the rear, behind
wall that was said to be fire proof.
was the violent ward. Here were many
patients in delirium. Others were un-
able to walk. Some were shackled be-
cause of their violence. Among these
it is said was Alderman William Kent.
Helpless Patients.
The violent wards were arranged on
the top story in the rear of the build
ing. In these the worst cases han
died by the institution were treated.
Men who were victims of the most Sc
rious disorders from the drink and
drug habit were here quartered.
Many were little short of maniacs,
others were lying in the throes of de-
lirum tremens when the cry Of fire
echoed through the halls. These men
were most effected by the peril threat
ening them. Some dropped to their
knees, praying that they might be
saved. Shrieks, eXhortations and
curses rang through the wards. The
rafting of chains and bars added ter
TOR to the scene.
The fire escape which offered the only
means of escape was situated at n dis
advantage, as the nearest window was
five feet to the east.
Frantic Efforts to Escape.
bclOTt lHlS WlHuON WIS SdtHcTtu II
crowd of about 25 men shouting and
striking one another and wildly tear
ing at the gratings. Strong arms failed
to offer hopes of escape. Men fell to
the floor from exhaustion cursing each
other. Blood trickled from torn fin
gers. One mans arms was nearly sew
cred in his frantic efforts TO tear away
the bars. And while the men strug-
gled the flames were nearing them.
From those chained to cots and help
less in their manacles and straight
jackets, came cries of despair. Some
threw themselves face downward on
the, floor. While the uproar was at
its height one man stepped forward
and in commanding tones brought or
der from the useless efforts of the
throng. This was W. f. Davis. of Cedar
Rapids, Ia, who had been patient in
the institution for the last two weeks.
Under his orders the men sought to
unite their efforts to the best advan-
tage. Four. pair of arms seized the
heavy wire screening and at given
commands pulled it loose.
Heroic Rescuers.
Some of the first to make the at
tempt to reach the fire escape were
DR.. c. A. Anderson, practicing ply
sician with offices at 95 Washington
street, who had recently entered the
institution to be treated, and G. A.
Gott, a printer, of La Vergne, III, BY
holding to the fire escape Gott and
Anderson were able to stretch out the
hands of the men and guide them to
the iron landing. When a man reached
the window ledge he leaned as far
toward the landing as was possible and
grasped the hand of DR.. Anderson
The latter leaned far out and was kept