FIGHTING FIRE -- THE MINNESOTA STATE INSANE ASYLUM AT ST. PETER BURNED WITH ITS CONTENTS.

SIX HUNDRED AND FIFTY SIX INMATES AWAKENED TO FACE THE FLAMES.

AND A LARGE NUMBER FAIL TO MAKE THEIR ESCAPE ALIVE.

PARTICULARS OF THE DREADFUL CALAMITY.

First Dispatch -- A Fire.
St. Paul, Minn., November 16. -- A report has just reached here of a fire raging in the state insane asylum at St. Peter. An engine has been sent from here. The institution has 600 inmates.

Second Dispatch -- Completely Destroyed.
St. Paul., Nov. 16. -- A dispatch from the mayor of St. Peter to Governor Pilsbury says the insane asylum is completely destroyed. No particulars have as yet been received.

Third Dispatch -- Terrible Loss Of Life.
Chicago, No. 16. -- A dispatch received from St. Paul at 3 o'clock this morning, after report had closed, says a fire in the Minnesota Insane Asylum, at St. Peters, originated in a corner of the basement of the north building and at about the same time there was a fire in the basement in an adjoining section. The cause of the fire is still unknown. No one knows how many perished but is is feared the number will at least reach fifty. It will be some time before the exact number can be given as some patients, taking advantage of the confusion, ran away, while others wandered off aimlessly and will be surprising if some have perished from cold. The loss on the building estimated from $100,000 to $150,000. No insurance. Additional particulars are expected every minute.

Fourth Dispatch -- Further Particulars.
St. Paul, Minn., Nov. 16. -- A dispatch to the latest edition of the morning papers indicate the fire in the St. Peter asylum was not as serious as feared, last night; only one wing of the building was destroyed. The whole structure was ten years in course of erection and was only finished three years ago. The cost was over half a million. The loss by fire will be from $100,000 to $150,000, on which there is no insurance, the state having neglected this precaution. The origin of the fire is unknown, though it is located in the basement of the north wing, which was destroyed.
Reports of loss of life are indefinite and conflicting. Different rumors place the number of victims at from twenty to fifty, but no bodies have been found and no one is surely identified as missing.
The superintendent ordered the release of all patients as soon as the danger became imminent, and it is probable that in the confusion of the night some were overlooked and burned. This probabililty is increased by the fact that some of the rooms quickly filled with smoke and could not be entered by the rescuers. There were 656 patients in the hospital last year. The inmates were cared for last night by the citizens. Some provision will be made for them today by the state authorities.

Fort Wayne Daily Sentinel Indiana 1880-11-16

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FURTHER PARTICULARS OF THE INSANE HOSPITAL FIRE.

THIRTY MISSING AND SIX KNOWN TO BE DEAD.

PREPARATIONS FOR THE CARE OF THE UNFORTUNATES.

St. Paul, Minn., November 17. -- Congressman STRAIT, president of the board of Trustees of the St. Peter asylum, telegraphs to the Pioneer Press at midnight, that the number of dead will not exceed ten. Another correspondent estimates the number at from ten to fifteen. The inmates are being returned to their homes and checked off. No names are given. A full list is promised.

St. Paul, November 17. -- The enumeration of patients at the burned St. Peter insane asylum is completed, and it is found that thirty are missing. Of these only six are known to be dead and their bodies recovered. The only one identified with certainty is that of J. H. ABRAMS, who was smothered, not burned. Among the others reported to be dead are DR. S. S. PRUDEN, of Lake City; COLUMBUS NEWMAN, of Sankapee; J. G. FERNER, HAAS SIRENSON and JOHN BREESON, but there is nothing certain about their fate. The missing victims not killed are supposed to be wandering about the country, or hid in the woods. The number of dead may be increased by freezing.

St. Peter, November 17. -- The hall records of all the patients inside of the hospital which was burned were destroyed, but seven bodies have thus far been found:
J. P. ABRAMS, of Minneapolis.
S. S. PRUDGEN, of Lincoln county.
JOHN BRENNAN, of Stillwater county, residence unknown.
Three Others, names unknown.
In addition to these twenty three are known to be missing. These are:
COLUMBUS McLELLAN, of Scott county.
B. L. QUINDY, of Clarmont.
PATRICK FAHEY and JOHN HASS, of St. Paul.
JOHN THORWALLSON, of Vernon Centre, has died since the fire from exhaustion.
Not a single female patient is dead or missing and all are under relief. The legislature will be asked to reimburse the governor.

St. Paul, November 17. -- Governor Pilisbury has offered an advance from his own resources of money necessary to supply bedding and temporary shelter necessary for the relief of the patients of the burned insane asylum at St. Peter, and to reconstruct within sixty days one section of the burned wing to afford shelter for the patients for the winter. The cost will be $85,000. This will obviate the necessity of removing the patients and simplify the question of shelter and cared for as can be best done. The farmers in the country around are bringing in stragglers almost hourly, and this deminishing the number lost. One man's body has been found since the above was written, but only a handful of cinders remain of it.

The Fort Wayne Daily Gazette Indiana 1880-11-18
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!