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Domestic News
August 28, 1828
The Litchfield County Post
Litchfield, Litchfield County, Connecticut
What is this article about?
A fire, likely arson for escape, destroyed much of Charlestown State Prison's workshops and chapel on Sunday afternoon, 17th inst., while Warden Capt. Harris was away.
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Full Text
FIRE.-On Sunday afternoon of the 17th inst. a fire broke out in the Charlestown (Massachusetts) State Prison. The Boston Patriot of Tuesday says :
"We learn from the Deputy Warden, Mr. Lincoln, that the Warden, Capt. Harris, is on a visit to New Hampshire, for the benefit of his health, and this circumstance may have induced the convicts to attempt the escape. The fire destroyed nearly the whole range of brick buildings occupied by the cabinet and brush makers, blacksmiths, shoemakers, and tailors, the cookery and chapel. The old stone shed also sustained some damage. There is little doubt that the fire was caused by design, and that it was intended that it should break out while the convicts were in the dining hall or chapel. But in this the contrivers were disappointed, as it did not break out until an hour or an hour and a half after the convicts had dined and were locked up."
"We learn from the Deputy Warden, Mr. Lincoln, that the Warden, Capt. Harris, is on a visit to New Hampshire, for the benefit of his health, and this circumstance may have induced the convicts to attempt the escape. The fire destroyed nearly the whole range of brick buildings occupied by the cabinet and brush makers, blacksmiths, shoemakers, and tailors, the cookery and chapel. The old stone shed also sustained some damage. There is little doubt that the fire was caused by design, and that it was intended that it should break out while the convicts were in the dining hall or chapel. But in this the contrivers were disappointed, as it did not break out until an hour or an hour and a half after the convicts had dined and were locked up."
What sub-type of article is it?
Fire
Crime
What keywords are associated?
Prison Fire
Charlestown Prison
Arson
Convict Escape
State Prison
What entities or persons were involved?
Mr. Lincoln
Capt. Harris
Where did it happen?
Charlestown (Massachusetts)
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Charlestown (Massachusetts)
Event Date
Sunday Afternoon Of The 17th Inst.
Key Persons
Mr. Lincoln
Capt. Harris
Outcome
destroyed nearly the whole range of brick buildings occupied by cabinet and brush makers, blacksmiths, shoemakers, and tailors, the cookery and chapel; old stone shed sustained some damage; no successful escape
Event Details
Fire broke out in State Prison, believed caused by design to aid convict escape while Warden was away; timed poorly after convicts were locked up