SEVENTEEN DIE IN BIG HOSPITAL FIRE PATIENTS STAMPEDE AND SOME OF RESCUED RUN BACK INTO BURNING STRUCTURE. NO ONE BLAMED FOR TRAGEDY No Theory of Origin of Fire Except Possible Defective Wiring-Two Badly Burned. Columbia.-Seventeen persons were burned to death when the eleventh ward, a single-story wooden structure, at the State Hospital for the Insane, was destroyed by fire at 3 o'clock. Two other patients are in a precarious condition. Fifteen of the patients were burned to death within the four walls. Two died later in the day from burns. The ward was occupied by 45 patients. An inquest was held by Coroner Scott, when a thorough investigation as to the possible cause of the fire was made. From the testimony adduced, no theory was advanced as to the origin of the fire except possibly from defective insulation of the electric wiring. It was developed that all night employees were at their respective posts and that no delinquency of duty was attached to any one connected with the institution. The tragedy was regarded as wholly unavoidable and no blame could be placed on any one.
Building of Wood.
The building was a small one-story wooden structure and was one of the oldest on the grounds. The flame was discovered between the ceiling and the roof, which was covered with a layer of three-ply paper roofing. This, Dr. Williams explained in his testimony was regarded as fireproof by insurance companies. In further precaution, he had consulted the Columbia fire department and procured its consent to use the material before it was put on. The state electrician, Dr. Williams further said, has been constantly alert in making inspections of wiring about the institution. The architect also has been watchful and the employees are continually instructed to be on guard in precaution against possible fires. The cooking for the patients takes place in another building, and hot water is led through mains from other buildings. Patients are not allowed to handle matches. The theory as to defective wiring was the most plausible Dr. Williams could suggest. The flame was discovered in the ceiling directly in line with the wiring. F. L. Altman, the night attendant of the eleventh ward, discovered the fire just before 3 o'clock, he said. He was sitting in the small office leading into the ward when he detected an odor of some thing burning. He made a hurried inspection of the interior of the ward, and then rushed to the outside for a quick survey of the building. He rushed back into the ward and again seeing no flame went to the back side of the building. Turning back into the ward he saw a small jet of flame protruding through the ceiling. While giving testimony Dr. Williams emphasized that this "stampeding" was characteristic of normal persons. He had known of children rushing into the burning building and trying to seek shelter in theia ,eds when the house was burning down, he said.
The Dead.
Thomas W. Baker, Marion. J. W. Brock, Seneca. Willie Boyter, Moore. Jake Bell, Aiken. H. H. Free, Blackville. J. B. Greer, Greer. J. R. Green, Spartanburg. Rufust Hewitt, Aynor. Henry Lamb, Ridgeland. L. M. Lewie, Conway. Albert McSwain, Vaucluse. John Owensey, Greenville. E. L. Sillman, Williamston. J. C. Todd, Charleston. Walter White, Plum Branch. T. HI. Wells, Mt. Carmel.
Severely Burned.
J. B. Timmorman, Kirksey. Hector Logan, New Brookland

Date of birth from 1910 census