The Mankato free press., 1902-06-13

break through the DdrS. Inc Cio"u IL
the street watching the desperate SIT
uation of the men behind the screen
was
Simply an Insane Mob.
They shouted all sorts OF commands
and directions at the men, and gave
orders to the firemen, who were DONG
all that men could do to get through
the bars from the outside. AS the
flames came steadily towards the men,
the people in the street jumped up and
down and screamed in helpless rage.
II seemed as though nothing could be
done. and that all of the men Wouio
die within six inches OF freedom. Inat
eny of the men escaped at all is owing
TO the work of w. e. Davis OF Cedar
Rapids. Ia, patient in the lnstltu-
ton. He induced the men to cease
their disconnected pulling at the
screen and to unite their efforts. Four
men first took hold of the screen ana
In almost a minute the crowd Denlno
them pushed them away and before
the four men could get to the screen
again they were compelled to f1gnt
with their fists. Davis managed 10
get his men to the window again ana
after a few desperate pulls they man
aged to tear down portion OF the
screen. Nerved to the work by tnelr
success. the bodies of the men swayed
back and forth as they put all OF their
strength into one last effort. Ihe
hands of one of the men were covered
| with blood. but he hung on and puliea
as best he could, Tor ne anu all win
him were to live not ten minutes
| longer unless the screen came down.
And finally down it came, the men In
their desperation pulling with II large
pieces of the mortar in which It's sloes
| had been incased.
Desperate Fight for Life.
The screen was gone, but the bars
remained. and they were heavy, placed
there for the purpose of withstanding
all the efforts of insane men, no mat
ter how strong they might be. AS
many men as could place their hands
on the lower bar took hold. 1t bent,
almost doubled, and six men went to
the floor with a crash holding on to
the iron bar which they had torn from
its fastenings. So quickly did the men
behind them spring to grasp the sec
ond bar that those who had torn down
the first were badly trampled on be-
! fore they could rise. Another bar was
soon torn away and the pathway tc
safety was opened. Then new dan
ger assailed the prisoners. The crowd
behind, hearing that at last the way
was open, pushed forward with such
haste that those near the window were
nearly forced through to meet death
on the sidewalk four stories below
The men at the windows fought tc
keep their places until the firemer
could raise the ladders, and the mel
In the rear, some of whom were al
ready being reached by the flames
fought to gain the window.
The men jumped to a fire escape
down which they escaped to th'
ground.
Many other escapes of a thrilling ma
ture took place at other parts of th'
building.
Police Make Several Arrests.
After the fire was over the police al
rested William Lanahan, the engineer
Lee Seymour, the fireman of the build
ing, and ]. P. Nagel, the inventor of
gasoline plant in use in the basemen
of the institution. There are no direc
charges against the men, but the pc
lice have the idea that the fire ma
have originated from the mismanagt
ment of the gasoline plant, and too
the men into custody.
Later the police placed under a,
rest. in addition to the men taken int
custody directly after the fire, o. T
Miller. the president of the institution
and William Sterner, the engineer {
the building, who went of duty
} noon