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. =========================================================================== Huron Times Sand Beach, Michigan Thursday, November 25, 1880 THE INSANE ASYLUM HORROR. Particulars of the Burning of a Portion of the Minnesota Insane Asylum at St. Peter - Several Lives Lost by Burning and Freezing. ST. PAUL, Minn., November 16. A bulletin to the Pioneer-Press, from St. Peter, says: The number of lives lost by burning and freezing in the Insane Asylum are avriously estimated from twenty to fifty. Loss on building, $300,000. A special dated at four a.m., says: "The scenes at the burning of the south wing of the hospital were heartrending in the extreme. So appalling a sight has rarely been witnessed, and, I trust in God, may never be gain. The patients in the annex wing were males. Many of the refused to leave the building at all. They ran up and down the halls screaming and crying and acting like the Bedlamites they were. Of course those who could not be coaxed nor forced out of the building became the unhappy victims of the flames and suffered a horrible death in the pit of fire, others were saved by ladders, and some by leaping from the windows; some were nearly nude, and shoeless and hatless, and all were exposed to the exceeding cold of the night. Many of the poor, demented and crazed inmates fled as if for their lives, and could not be overtaken or confined. Their sufferings in this frightful condition can better be imagined than described. The whole catastrophe is a fearful one to contemplate, and one impossible to describe. The poor, dazed inmates of the asylum who had escaped the flames were at large half clothed, and were to be seen in all directions flying in wild fright from those who attempted to save them. The air was bitter cold, and the poor wretches with half naked bodies and bleeding feet were flying about hiding in alleys and dark corners. It was a sight once seen never to be forgotten. "For some time the capacity of the building has been tried to its utmost. There were about 600 patients, and every inch of space was utilized. What will be done with these poor creatures turned out in the cold, and their malady increased by the excitement of the occasion, is a serious question. There are two other buildings situated in the town which are used, but they are already crowded to their full capacity. The asylum at Rochester is full, and will doubt- less be unable to provide accommodations for any of the inmates at St. Peter, turned out in the cold by the terrible catastrophe." Another special says: "While the flames were steadily progressing, the Matron of the female department made all haste to get the inmates out, many of them ran shrieking in their nights clothes in the snow drifts, even burying themselves in the snow, and had to be dragged into the barns and sheds, while those near by wrapped blankets and shawls around them. Hence, intense suffering could not be avoided, as they had to be taken about fifteen or twenty rods through the snow to the nearest shelter, which was on the hill immediately in the rear of the south wing. Yet when we turn to the main apartments our blood runs cold as we gaze into those burning walls and realize what was the doom of more than one poor demented man to-night. Those who crowded into the long corridors of the south wing stood around there moaning and shivering like poor dumb brutes. The actual number burned cannot be gotten at in any way at the present time, as many are known to have wandered away in the intense excitement that prevailed throughout the whole premises. Several bodies were taken out of some of the rooms and halls, and several persons taken out into the halls seemed determined to return to the fire, like a horse that is being led from the flames. One room, occupied by two, was broken into, and while one was dragged out the other was determined to remain in his wamr bed, and when dragged out insisted on waiting to be dressed." A special from St. Peter at 3 p.m. says: "It is still difficult to get at the names and particulars of the awful calamity that came upon us last night, as all is terror and excitement, and the grim ruin and slowly rising smoke strikes the heart as sullen reminders of the shocking fire. To get at a complete list of those killed and hurt is not now among the possibilities. I have just seen Dr. Bartlett, of the asylum, and he says there are not more than twelve lives lost, and probably as many more hurt and suffering from the bitter cold of last night; indeed, more people are believed to be hurt and dying from ex- posure to the weather than from burns received. Other people say that as many as twenty insane people either perished in the flames or died on the cold hills during the night. So many of the patients have dis- appeared that it cannot be told who are dead and who ran away. "The suffering has been terrible, and no pen can describe it or human mind realize it. Hundreds of the patients are as helpless as children, and are seeminly shocked and dazed so as to render them almost insensible. "The real damage to the hospital building will amount to $200,000. The center building and south wing have been preserved and the ruins of the other portions of the building are being overhauled as fast as possible in the search for the dead. The officers of the institution are making every effort to discover the whereabouts of missing patients and take care of those still here. Arrangments will be perfected before night closes by which all will be comfortably cared for. =========================================================================== If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access more of our growing collection of FREE online information by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/ ===========================================================================