THE BURNING OF A LUNATIC ASYLUM.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IV, Issue 82, 9 April 1869, Page 2

THE BURNING OF A LUNATIC ASYLUM.

From the Ohio Statesman, of the 20th ultimo, we obtain some particulars of the shocking catastrophe which occurred at the Ohio Lunatic Asylum, at Columbus, on the previous night, which has been briefly reported by telegraph. The fire broke out about half-past nine o'clock. It was first discovered in the north-east corner of the east wiug, which was devoted to female patients, of whom the ward where the fire originated contained some fifty. By the time the engines arrived, though the flames did not show through the door, the interior was so filled with smoke and fire as to threaten death to any one who should attempt to penetrate it. The major portion of the inmates had not retired; but in the ward where the fire originated some _of the most mischievous were, and some sick ones. All efforts to induce these to leave their rooms were unavailing, and the few citizens who had reached the place, and the attendants were obliged, at the risk of their own lives, to rush in and drag them from the horrible fate that awaited them. The screams, shouts, laughter and dancing of the demented women, whose madness seemed increased by the wild and exciting scenes around them — made up a picture terrible to look upon. By and by came the word that some were dying in their rooms, suffocated in the smoke, and others raving and struggling to free themselves from their confinement. Then some of our heroic citizens rushed into the flames and draiged forth the dead and the dying. Some were dead when reached, others died shortly after coming to the fresh air. One poor creature a beautiful girl about eighteen, whose arms were confined in consequence of her mischievous propensities, on being brought out called piteously for her mother, and died with the prayer on her lips that she might be allowed to lay her head upon her mother's breast, " It pains me so" she said. There were six of the female patients who died of suffocation and inhalation of the flames They were placed on matresses on the piazzas, near the main entrance, and afterwards conveyed to the dead house in the North Graveyard, to awiiit the orders of their friends. The opinion of those connected with the institution, in regard to the origin of the fire, is that one of the patients in a spirit of mischief, lit a bit of paper at the gas burner in the hall, just after the attendant had passed through and set fire to her bed.