The Irish standard., 1909-04-03
Fl. LEAY||E|NW0RTH
PRISON BURNED
800 CoNvlCTS MARCHED OUT
At POINT OF GUNS.
Death Threatened Any 6oltsr-Men
Put in Stockade for Might
Entire Building Was
So. Destroyed.


military prison at Fort Leavenworth
was destroyed by fire late last night.
The prisoners we're removed from the
cell houses under heavy guard of
United States troops and confined in a
stockade.
None Of the prisoners escaped, 50
far as hasty resume Of the situation
after midnight showed, but this may
not be definitely known till daybreak.
Owing to the low water pressure
the fire, department of the fort was
almost useless. The fire was fought
by the soldiers, who were ordered out
Of their quarters, and those who were
on leave in the city we're at once
called back to the post.
Two soldiers were injured while
fighting the flames, hut none of the
prisoners was hurt
Much excitement attended the re-
moval of the prisoners: many OF them
are desperate characters. It was
feared that they would make an orga-
nized break for safety.
The fire broke out about 10 o'clock
in the tailor shop and soon it was
seen that the main building was
doomed. A great cutlery at once
broke out in the prison. the conviots
fearing they would be burned to
death. They battered on the doors
Of their cells az the light of the Are
streamed in thru the windows. Many
screamed in terror as the authorities
refused to remove them.
Soon companies OF soldiers, includ-
ing cavalrymen, had gotten under
arms.
A strong Gordon Of troops was
thrown about the prison and every
effort taken to. avoid escape. The
bolts Of the cell house we're shot
back. II everything had not been
done in perfect order lives doubtless
would have been lost Az 1t was,
strict military discipline prevailed.
Soldiers with leveled weapons
greeted the convicts as they were
marched out. They had been previ-
ously warned that the slightest bel
liEerent move would mean death.
Shoot them down In their tracks"
commanded tho officers. IF they
don't keep in line the first man that
tries to escape, dies 49,: 80
The Fort Leavenworth fire depart
ment was hurried to the aid Of the
prison department, but the lack of
water made their efforts almost USE
less. All they could do was to play
feeble streams Of water on the front
Of the building from which the con-
victs and soldiers we're issuing and
prevent the leaping flames from
harming them.
The blaze was spectacular. Hun.
dreds of people rushed out to see the
unusual sight. The fort is four miles
from the city, and first reports were
that the prison was destroyed and
that many convicts had been burned
| to death. The people rushed out in
great excitement.
At daybreak they likely will be
taken to the government prison half
mile away.
The city police rushed out in patrol
wagons and relieved the soldiers from
the work of caring for the crowd so
| they might devote their whole atten-
ton to the saving Of those locked be.
hind prison bars.
An hour after midnight the fire was
burning fiercely, but was under con-
troll. FL.
The blacksmith shop. tailor shops,
machine shops and other buildings
went first. All this while the whole
prison has been surrounded by troops.
There are 800 prisoners In the lot.
1t took the whole Thirteenth infantry
under command Of Col. r. H. r. Long
borough to remove them safely.
The colonel rushed to the prison
when the fire became dangerous and
took in the situation ut a glance. He
Instantly issued orders, placing the
regiment under arms. A company of
soldiers was placed on each side of
the sally porte to be ready to take
charge of the convicts as they were
hurried out.
The sick were removed first, placed
In ambulanoes and taken to the Fort
Leavenworth hospital under guard OF
cavalry. The records were removed
from the administration building
Then the general order was given for
taking out all in the building.
Soon after the last convict and At.
tendant had left the building and tho
Gordon of soldiers had Withdrawn to
a safe distance, the walls of the prison
fell with crash. The fire started
In some rubbish left In a careless
manner in the paint and carpenter
shop.
TWIN CITY MARKETS,