Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-12-21
Consumes Women's PfiS-
on on B|ackweIPs Island.
The 594 Women Prisoners Res.
Cued by the Heroic Efforts
Of Keepers and ConVicts Who Form Fire
Fighting and Life Saving Corps.

New York, Dec. 20-Men forgot that
they were conVictS and remembered
only that they were men on Blackwell S
Island early today when the male
prisoners, marshallcd by their keepers
into fire fighting and life saving
corps, bore from the flaming floors OF
the women's wards 594 frantic women
and from the hospital beds fifty more
Starting in the sewing rooms of the
WOrkhOuSe and from a cause which has
not yet been definitely decided, the fire
had reached Il fierce blaze at 2 O'Clock
when it was discovered. The fire en-
gine on the island proved inadequate
and call for help was sent to the city
department.
Seven engines were sent over but
were not sufficient to save the womcn's
WorkhOusc from destruction.
On the top floor OF this building were
cells for the women and everyone held
one or two prisoners when the fire oc-
CURED. These women became frantic
with fright and were soon choking with
the dense smoke that filled all the halls
and their cells.
That most of them did not perish is
due to the recent installation of Il
system by which in emergencies every
cell in a tier can be opened simultane-
ously with all the others.
When the extent and danger of the
blaze became apparent the warden
Tarshalled his regular fire fighting
force of employees and soon all were at
work
e Ct
that this force proved hopelessly in
adequate. 1t was then decided to trust
to the male prisoners sense of manhood
ana they bore the tes- well. Released
from their cells and marshalled into
small bodies they entered the burning
building and went at the work of fire
fighting and rescued with utter disre-
gard of danger to themselves. The
flames We're cracking all about them
and they plunged out through the
dcnsest smoke when they brought out
in their arms the last Of the women
prisoners. The fire bells and the shouts
Of the men at work could be heard all
over the island and in the hospitals and
buildings of the other institutions there
was panic which was quoted with
difficulty by the nurses. physicians and
keepers. The fire was confined to the
womcn's workhouse.
Although only part of the convicts
were used in rcscuing the women,
those who remained locked in their cells
made frantic appeals to be allowed to
help. AS the screams Of the women
penetrated to their cells some of the
convicts fell upon their knees. beating
the bars with their fists and imploring
the guards to let them out to fight the
fire. When this was refused, thcy beg
gcd that at least the guards go to the
r"S"ue, promi sing that they would be
their OWL jailers.
Inc fire, lasting over two hours and
consuming all the Womcn's prison. The
hospital and half of the workhnuse
lighted up the shores OF Long Island
anG the shipping for miles up and down
tho East river. Tho woodhnusc in the
work housc. being 30 years old, burned
almost like paper. For the first two
hours only one fire engine and fire boa.
Tough; the fire. because there was no
f"rryboat available to carry engines
FROM Manhattan across the river 70
laa"kWclfs Island. The ferryboat
fireman which is used by the city for
such emergencies, was at her dock an
this time without an engineer He had
left the boat and could not be found.
The laundry WAS requisitioned TODAY
as quarters for the 80 invalids. The 593
women prisoners whose cells wore
burned were divided. part of them go
ing to the almshousc and the others to
the penitcntiary building. An order
vas sent to the city police court, not to
F"hd PRISONERS to Blackwells Island
until notified that arrangements had
been made to receive them
The loss was estimated at $50 OOO.