Midnight Fire Destroyed A Penitentiary   Nebraska's Institution Near Lincoln Practically Wiped Out   Loss Exceeded $300,000   Militia Hastily Summoned from Lincoln Held Convicts in Check   They May Live in Tents   New Warden Has No Opinion to Offer as to Origin of the Flames     Lincoln, Nebraska, March 1.  --  Nebraska's State Penitentiary, three miles from this city, was almost destroyed by a fire which started last midnight.  The loss will exceed $300,000.  There was no disorder among the convicts, who were guarded by militiamen, hastily summoned from Lincoln.  The main building of the penitentiary was practically new.   Nothing was left but the east wing occupied by the warden, the chapel and a small reserve cell room.  The prisoners were removed to this room under extra guard without difficulty.   So are as known no one was injured.   The fire was discovered by Warden Davis shortly before midnight.  As alarm was immediately given, convicts, guards and employees were aroused and an appeal was telephoned to the Lincoln fire department for help.   The convicts were ordered to clothe themselves and were marshaled into the great court yard, where, for several hours 300 of them were kept standing in a long double line under the espionage of a score of armed guards patrolling the top walls surrounding the yard.   Warden Davis and his aides made quick work of removing the books, records and papers of the institution to a places of safety.  Nothing else of value was saved.   The fire originated in a kitchen of the warden's apartments and spread in all directions through the main building.  The Lincoln fire department responded with hose, carts and steamers and two streams from the pond were soon playing on the flames with the effect, however, of only temporarily checking them.   After it was seen that the manor portion of the building was doomed all efforts were concentrated on the east end of the building occupied by the deputy warden, the chapel and a reserve cell Room.  The woodwork in this portion of the building was thoroughly soaked and the firemen finally succeeded in saving it.  All bedding and extra clothing for the convicts was destroyed and it is probable that until permanent quarters can be provided the convicts will have to sleep in tents.   Warden Davis took charge of the institution on February 16.  "I have no opinion to offer regarding the origin of the flames," said Warden Davis.  Several trusty convicts prepared supper for my family in the room at  6 o'clock, but all of them retired to their cells early in the evening.  How the fire started is more than I can say."   No complete estimate of the losses has yet been made.  It is certain they will reach $300,000, however, with no insurance.       Pawtucket Times - March 1, 1901