The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1909-04-02


military prison at Fort Leavenworth
was destroyed by fire late tonight.
The prisoners were removed from
the cell houses under a heavy guard
of United States troops and confined
in stockade.
None of the prisoners escaped, so
far as hasty resume of the stu
alton after midnight showed, but
this may not be definitely known un-
til daylight.
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 were at
once called back to the fort.
Two soldiers were injured while
fighting the flames, but none Of the.
prisoners We're hurt.
Much excitement attended the re-
moval of the prisoners, many OF
whora are desperate. 1t 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 it was
seen that the main building was
doomed "A great outcry at once
broke out in the prison, the convicts
fearing that they would be burned
to death. They battered on the doors
of their cells as the light Of the fire
streamed in through the windows.
Many screamed in terror as the auth
critics for the moment refused to
remove them.
Soon, however, several companies
of soldiers, including cavalrymen,
had gotten under arms.
A strong Gordon of troops was
thrown about the prison and every
precaution taken to prevent escapes.
The soldiers that could be spared
from the ranks of fire fighters were
detained as guards and then the de-
livery of prisoners began.
When the bolts of the cell house
doors were Shot back, the flames had
reached the main building. If every
thing 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 pre-
viously warned that the slightest be-
ligerent move would mean death.
.'Shoot them down in their tracks J
commanded the officers. ''if they
don't keep in line; the first man
that tries to escape dies. 4
The rife barrels of the soldiers
and swords of the officers glinting
Z In the freight effectually awed the
prisoners and they meekly followed
their heavily armed guards to the
stockade. Not only did the strict
military rule prevent any escapes,
but it effectually stopped the panic
B that had broken out among the con
+ victs.
The prison building was valued al
5000, 900. 1t was totally destroyed
q The Leavenworth fire department
was rushed out to the fort on hur.
ried call for help.
1t combined forces with the forts
i fire fighters. The lack Of water pre'
sure, however, rendered the efforts
almost useless. About all they coult
do was to play feeble streams q
water on the front of the building
from which the convicts and sold
ters we're issuing and prevent thu
leaping flames from harming them.
The blaze was spectacular. Hun
dreds OF people rushed out to see th'
unusual sight. The fort is fou,
miles from the city and first reports
were that the prison was destroyed
and that many convicts had beer
burned to death. The people rush
ed out in great excitement.
They hurried around the BLAZING