Omaha daily bee., 1909-04-02
Prison at Fort
Leavenworth Is
Wrecked by Fire
Eight Hundred Prisoners Are Safely
Removed and II Is Believed
None Escaped.

LEAVENwoRTH. kan. April liz
took LOO United States soldiers to main
tain order and to prevent prisoners from
escaping during a fire which destroye-
four buildings Of the Federal militar,
prison here early today.
All the 81 prisoners were marched out OF
their cell houses when il seemed that the
whole prison certainly would be destroyed
and were held under heavy military guard
until the fire was gotten under control
Then, aften some Of the cell houses had
cooled sufficiently they were marched back
again.
The fire was discovered by a sentry be
fore midnight. Who fired his pistol and
the fire call sounded and the entire gar
rison at Fort Leavenworth turned out.
Tho Thirteenth infantry. armed with
rifles, was thrown around the entire
prison.
Much excitement attended the removal
Of the prisoners. many Of whom are des-
perate characters. II was feared that they
would make an organized break for safety.
The fire broke out about 10 o'clock in
the tailor shop and soon Il was seen
that the main building was doomed. A great
cutlery a. once lrokc out i'm the prison, the
c%onviCts fearing that they would be burned
to death. They battered on the doors of
their cell houses as the light Of the fire
streamed in their windows. Many screamed
in terror as the authorities for the moment
refused to remove them.
A strong Gordon Of troops was thrown
about the prison and every precaution
taken to prevent escapes. All the soldiers
that could be spared from the ranks of the
fire fighters were detailed as guards and
then the delivery Of the prisoners began.
When the bolts Of the cell house doors
were shot back the flames had reached the
main building. If everything had not been
done in perfect order lives doubtless would
have been lost. As it was, strict military
discipline prevailed.
Soldiers with leveled weapons greeted the
convicts as they were marched out. They
had been previously warned that the slight
est belligerent move would mean death,
Shoot them down in their tracks" com.
manded the officers. III they don't keer
in line. The first man that tries to escape
dies"
Not only did the strict military rule pre-.
vent any escapes, but it effectually stopped
the panic that had broken out among the
c%onvicts.
T. SlNh NNlt itilpNt lielf IluNtu ~
ambulances and taken to the Fort Deaven
worth hospital under guard Of cavalry
The records we're removed from the ad
ministration building. Then the genera
order was given for taking out all in tn,
building.
A new military prison is under process
Of construction and 1t is not probable tina
the burned buildings will be rebuilt.
A few men were overcome by the hea
during the fire. Lieutenant w. c. Jones
Thirteenth infantry, was painfully scaldet
by a gust Of steam and hot water from
burning roof. He was taken to his quar-
ters. where it Is said his injuries would no
prove serious.
Major Thomas H.. Slavens, commandan
OF the prison, said the fire probably wa
caused by defective wiring, He placed tn
damage at SIS. 600.
The buildings burned were among tn
Oldest at Fort Leavcnworth. They wer
erected in 1857 and 1858, under the super
vision Of General L.. c. Easton, and wer
first used for army commissary store
house.