Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1913-04-12
TWINE PLANT IS RUINED
TWO OTHER BUILDINGS GO UP
WITH 1T, MAKING A LOSS
OF $4,000.
TOWNSPEOPLE ARE SCARED
RESIDENTS OF LANSING FEAR
PRISONERS WILL START
A REVOLT.

Lansing, Kan, April 12.-Fire that
started in the state penitentiary here
al 1850 O'Clock today, from an ex-
plosion under a dynamo in the exten-
sive binding twine plant. destroyed
that building with three other struc-
lures and was not under control i'm
til 1:45 o'clock this afternoon. The
estimated loss is 100000. For time
the entire institution was threatened.
Although much excitement pre-
vailed among the 1000 prisoners,
good order prevailed None of the
prisoners escaped and none was in
jured. The main cell houses were
untouched.
A separate building containing the
women's department caught fire. The
women were removed in safety, how
ever, and that structure was not bad
ly damaged.
The twine plant and warehouses,
containing costly machinery and a
big stock of twine, was the largest Of
its kind in the country.
Hemp soaked in linseed oil and the
fact that the prison water piano vas
defective, gave the flames a good
start before the fire fighting appa-
ratus from Leavenworth arrived.
Trusty prisoners aided materially in
fighting the fire.
Fire broke out in the twine plant
of the Kansas state penitentiary
shortly before noon and burned
fiercely. The plant is the largest
prison twine manufacturing place in
the country. There are more than
900 prisoners in the penitentiary.
News of the fire soon spread to
Leayenworth, three miles distant, and
hundreds Of persons began streaming
out to the prison, anticipating an out
break.
In fear of mutiny, prisoners work
ing in the mines were kept below
ground and others who were at out
side tasks were rushed to the cell
houses.
The fire, though sun burning
fiercely, was under control at 1880
O'Clock. Five buildings then had
been destroyed. The warden then
estimated the total loss at $4,000.
The prisoners made no attempt to es-
cape, although 300 were in the pris-
on yard at the time. Tho fire was
due to an explosion under a motor
Townspeople Were scared.
Scores Of women and children, rel
atives of the guards ana prison EN-
ployes who live IN cottages in Lans-
ing, flocked about the gates from the
time the first alarm was sounded,
eager to learn news.
Many women in tears begged to
be admitted, but were turned back
by guards.
"The prison is burning" was the
first cry that rang through the quiet
Lansing streets. Business in the small
town practically was neglected, as
everybody, clerks and customers
alike, rushed up the hill to the stone
walled fortress which ordinarily is
to the townspeople considered harm
less enough, but in times Of pros
pective mutiny becomes shudderlng
menace.
None Of those who flocked to the
prison, save able bodied men and
members of the volunteer fire depart
ment was allowed 10 enter the gates,
Al ] O'Clock the twine plant tailor
shop ana engine room bad been de'
atroyed ana lhe fire paa Wiihla 300
feet oi fhe cell houses. puf aAs pc
lieYed p be nearly sadef control
1Ae ibfee aallalBes destroyed Nefe
io0 leef leaa ED i8e aaa ihfee aien
es b beeai ms ~ bfqe Qsi ai
1850 eeiae s. ihs lAlNs Ai