The Kenna record. (Kenna, Roosevelt County, N.M.) 190?-1924, 1913-04-18
FIRE IN KANSAS STATE PRISON
TwINE PLANT AND THREE 9TH.
Err BUILDINGS DESTROYED.
conviets Aid In Fighting the FIames-'
None Attempt to Escape
Loss 100000.


Lansing, Kan.-Fire which destroy
ed four large buildings and caused
loss estimated at 100000 in the Kan
sas State penitentiary here was spread
by convicts who scattered burning
papers in buildings. not in the path of
the flames, according to statement
by Fire Chief Michael Bahler, con-
firmed by prison officials.
Parole officer John Higgins and DR..
A. T. AFFORD, prison physician, con-
firmed the opinion of Chief Bahler.
Warden j. X. Codding, however, said
he believed 1t improbable that con-
victs had fed the flames.
Aside from these indications of in
cehdiary attempts evidences of at
tempted mutiny were lacking. Prison
officials made every preparation for
a mutiny and the towns of lansing
and Leavenworth were thrown into
frenzied excitement fearing an out
break but the convicts as a whole pre-,
served the best of order, hundreds of
them giving valuable assistance in
fighting the flames. Their efforts
largely were responsible for saving
the building occupied by women pris-
oners and the criminally t:sane. Be-
lieving this building doomed the wom-
en- were taken out and the insane con-
victs transferred to the cell house.
The building was only slightly dam
aged.
Six hundred convicts, who were at
their duties about the prison yard
when the fire started, were not locked
up but called to aid in fighting flames.
A dozen prisoners in the boiler rooms
of the power house stayed at their
tasks, keeping up steam for the
pumps which were the only salvation
Of the fire fighters. The prisons one
ancient fire engine was out of COM
mission and the pressure pumps of
the water system had to be relied
upon.
The fire started when the armature
of motor in the Irvine plant sud
denly burst into flame which commu-
nicated to walls and floors Half an
inch of oil-soaked hemp lint over the
floors made the building burn like
finder.
The burning buildings are totaI
loss as the state carries. no insurance
on its public structures. That the
loss was not greater is considered re
markable since most of the buildings
were old and many were covered will
inflammable rubber roofing. Official;
said only a north wind saved the en-
tire prison from destruction. An cas-
wind would have communicated the
flames from the Irvine plant and ware
houses to the laundry, which is with
in few feet of the main cell house
The fire was fought and eventual!
controlled by Chief Bahler and tht
Leavenworth fire company and prison
guards, assisted by hundreds OF con
Victs
After a careful estimate, Governo
Hodges placed the loss at between
100000 and $750,000. Standing Il
the glare of the still burning stor
room, the chief executive discusses
the plans for rebuilding. Money
needed and 1t is probable the legii
lature will be convened within
month to provide funds 1t is imperf
tive that the tailor and shoe shop
be put into operation at once. SUI
plies must be purchased for these.
While there is plenty of labor
carry on the work of rebuilding, niue
structural steel will have to be pu
chased No funds are available fc
this.