Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2016 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== The Toronto Daily Mail Saturday, December 20, 1884 A MICHIGAN POOR-HOUSE HORROR An Insane Woman Dashes Into a Burning Building and Perishes. PITIABLE PLIGHT OF THE OTHER INMATES DETROIT, Dec. 19 - A terrible fire occurred at Lapeer county poor farm, two miles from Lapeer, Michigan, last night, resulting in the loss of one life and much suffering to others. The fire origi- nated in the poor-house, where 37 inmates were housed, and is supposed to have been caused by a defective chimney. The main building was entirely destroyed, together with its contents, consisting of furniture, bedding, clothing, provisions, etc. One woman was burned to death, but all the other inmates were taken out alive and are now quartered in farm houses in the neighborhood. The poor crea- ture who lost her life was an insane woman named Bertha Rockwell. She was got out-side with the others, but dashed back into the blazing building and was burned to death, only HER CHARRED AND BLACKENED BONES being found in the debris this morning. Another insane woman named Phoebe Salisbury, escaped from her keepers during the excitement, and clad only in her night gown ran two miles into the country before she could be recaptured. She was badly frozen, the thermometer indicating below zero at the time. However, she will probably recover if she receives proper care. The condition of the surviving inmates is pitiable, but their temporary wants are being zupplied. There were no fire fight- ing appliances at the poor house, but the surround- ing buildings were saved by throwing snow upon them. The pecuniary loss to the county is about $6,000. ==========================================================================