Jasper County Democrat, Volume 5, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 January 1903 — FIFTY DEAD IN A FIRE. [ARTICLE]

FIFTY DEAD IN A FIRE.

Wing of Colney Hutch Insane Asylum in Eiiulund Is Burned Down. About fifty insane patients were burn ed to dentil by n fire nt the Colney Hatch asylum iu England. The outbreak tccurred in the Jewish wing of the institution. The flumes spread with great rapidity and Iwfore they could l*c gut under control five wooden buildings. Including dormitories nod the doctor*’ apartments, were wiped out. There were newly <MH) women in the burned annex M the tune the tire was discovered und most of them were safely transferred to the main building, which was uninjured. Some, however, escaped, rendering it difficult to Ascertain the exact num Im* r of those bunted to death. AH the victim* were lunatic*. Their charred bodies presented a horrifying apeetacle. All efforts of the official* were directed to removing tho insane inmates, who Is'cnme wild witli excitement nnd were •o panic strickwi that not only were they itnnble to help themselves, but they greatly impeded the operation* of those who were trying to save them. Since Sept. 30. llMrj, 2<15 persons have been killed by trains and 2,613 Injured. The total number of derailments nnd collision* was 2,458, of which 1.444 wer* collision* nnd 1,014 derailments. Lumber pliers, Ddluth, Minn., struck for 12.35 a day.