The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-03-19
SET JAIL ON FIRE.
Insane Prisoner Starts Flames
in Padded Cell.
Caused a Panic Among the
Inmates.
TIE DAMAGE is SMALL
Confined to Apartment Used for
the Insane.
TIE DAMAGE is SMALL
Burkhardt, Who Started Fire,
Escapes Uuiniured.

George Burkhardt, a demented
young Russian about % years of age,
set fire to the padding of the cell in
the county jail in which he was con-
fined, on Sunday afternoon, and es-
capped with no more serious damage
than slightly singed hair.
Considerable excitement prevailed
during the time thatTthe fire depart
ment was busy extingushing the flames.
The other prisoners were panic striek-
en-. and some of the more impression
able were wild with terror. Chief of
Police Goodwin and a squad of patrol
men were called to care for the prison
ers in case the fire spread and it be-
came necessary to release them.
But the cage in which the fire started
is steel affair, with a frame of wood,
encasing heavy padding, lining the four
walls, the floor and ceiling. a steel
shutter closes this cell from the rest
of the building. and this was drawn and
closed after Burkhardt was released
from his periious position. The fire de-
partment, by means of a ladder. got to
a north window Of the cell, broke the
glass, and by the use of their chemical
apparatus quenched the flames after
about one-haf of the padding in the
cell had ben destroyed. The damage
Will aAAAO41L TO aDOuL 500. The
ding in the cell is made up of canvas
and excelsior, both being very infiam-
able stuff
BuFkhardt was arrested by the DO
ice on Friday night, at his home at the
corner of Quincy and Gordon street IN
North Topeka. He has been Insane for
q number Of days. Friday he escaped
from his family and thinking that he
was pursued by enemies, jumped into
soldier creek When he got home
frozen. Friday night becoming violent
MS parents telephoned the police sta
ton, and PatrOlman Hobson went
aIlef hlTn- IL was necessary to bind tn q
young man hand and foot. It took all
OF tne available help at the county Jail
to conhne him.
Like most insane people. Burkbardt
was very noisy all day Sunday. In the
AFTERNOON he began to shout louder than
usuaI ana was Keeping up terrific din,
when Sheriff Lucas went up On fine
second floor to his cell to quiet him. The
cell IS in the nortL east corner. He
opened the door OF the hall which runs
east and west in front Of the cell and
was almost stifled by flames and smoke
which rushed otII-af him. He ar0nad
his way into the hail and unlocked The
cell door, at the same time calling to
Bufkhardt. The smoke was so dense.
that he could not see the demented man.
After getting the door open, Lucas
STAIRS
to give the alarm. Before he got to
the bottom of the stairs he saw Burk-
hardt behind him, wailing and whim-
peTing:
IT hain't got no more natchesl l
hain't got no more matchesi''
After turning in an alarm to the fire
department, Lucas went up stairs and
closed the fire shutter, which closes the
padded cell from the rest of the build
ing. By that time the smoke had got
ten around into the other cells and
some of the prisoners were wild with
terror, yelling, shouting and begging to
be released. Chief Goodwin came at
once with a detail of police and Sheriff
Lucas called all OF the available deputy
sherins on hand, to be ready to care for
the prisoners in case 1t became neces-
sary to release them.
The fire department made a hurry-up
trip, however. and poured water from
the chemical engine through a north
window into the cell and in that way
extinguished the flames.
Burkhardt still kept moaning: ct
hain't got no more matches" He showed
no injury save a hair-singeing. DR.. H.
B. Hegehoom was called to see If he