The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-28
ASYLUM HORROR IS SLATED FUR PROBE
Four investigations Of Fire Announced As Eighteenth
 Body Is Recovered

CHICAGO, Dec. 27-(By Associated Press. -Four separate investiga- tions of the fire which last night destroyed an annex building of the Chicago State Hospital for Insane at Cunning, on the northwest edge of Chicago, were under way tonight as the body of the eighteenth victim was removed from the smouldering ruins.
 Ten of the dead had been identi- fled late today. Besides the eight bodies unidentified eight other in- mates of the building were missing tonight, these being among about 50 patients who made their escape from the institution during the fire, none Of whom is regarded IS dangerous.
 Coroner Oscar Wolff announced to- night that three and possibly four prominent Chieagoans had been se- lceted to sit on the coroners jury, which will investigate the fire in winch more than 500 patients were rescued Those selected include Pat rick ]. Carr, county treasurer; Reed Laudis son of former Judge K. M. Lsndis; Alexander Revell, Jr.. and possibly August M. Miller, clerk of the circuit court.
 Independent investigations have
 
 of C. H. Jenkins, director of the state department of public welfare, and by County Judge Jarecki and the city attorney.
 Twenty-four hours after the raging of the old wooden structure referred to by patients as the death house, the origin of the fire was still mystery.
 While the ruins of the building were being searched tonight, hospital officials expressed the opinion that no more bodies remained among the debris. They declared that 1t would probably be impossible to identify the bodies of all the victims until all those who escaped had been rounded up as many of the bodies are burned beyond recognition. Three of those who perished included an attendant, his wife and son. All the rest are believed to have been patients.
 The various investigating bodies frankly admitted as they started to work that tho building which burned had been crowded and was fire hazard, but maintained that 1t was tho best that could be afforded un- der the circumstances and that It was less dangerous than confining patients to top floors of some of the brick buildings of the institution.
 Steps to give temporary relief to the more than 500 patients who were housed in the building that was burned were taken by MT. Jenkins as socn as he arrived from Springfield when he made arrangements to send many of them to other state insti- tutlons. The Cunning asylum has $500 patients and of the heroism of attendants and patients were related today by those who helped rescue the 500 patients. One patient, former fireman, rushed out with the arrival of the first fire apparatus and throughout the night toiled with the firemen In the flames.
 Another patient, one of the most violent at the institution and feared by both guards and fellow patients was found covering in terTor after the lights went out and while the confusion was at its height. Another patient, who grew violent was calmed by a cigarette. Some of the patients displayed great heroism in helping their companions out of the blazing building, and patients and guards combined to drive back many of the inmates, who after being drawn out into the rain insisted on going back into the structure to get personal be- longings and Christmas presents. One patient risked his life to bring Christmas tree from the building while three policemen faced death to batter down a door and drag forth several patients who became confused and locked themselves in lavatory
 Two of the first to get out or the attendants said, were two patients, each minus leg, who hob bled out arm in arm at the head of the marching patients.