Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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WW Ik f ? f W** WATCH THE DATE LnKUlNlLLL ON YOURLAUL , ? III i . u ? . J. ? u-j. . ..... ? -IS. 1 ?? 1 ' U a-..-. J..? -I J. CAMDEN, SOUTH CAROLINA, FRIDAY, JUIJJE 8, 1923, NUMBER 10 ' '' ? ? 1 1 WATCH the ON YOUR LABEL VOLUME XXXV. ThaTKKI'I. FOK 8BKVICB. . E; Oonzales, President, The State ( GonieTes*' Will' you per Dear Mr' Jfftper8 0f, and in behalf mit "S| ,?*mdJn and Kershaw County I of, ( "^ Commerce, to express tf> < h"'trthO0 iSSS$& the cUund you; , caustrophe and for tH? gch&ol nre cat? Kershaw coun* ^0|,'^loS.unde?? gratitude for the V' 0U A P manner in which your. ' ?$? \vi ^thn=S! or!,lmns. wulow? ?^noflciarie'g 0f y{?ur be the grateiui th<j conegtl0n S ."nSumce of so many thousands be hard to find words in v! h to express the proper appwscift whu-h to ..?P H ld be appro tioU; to sav to you that the fact Second pK\he con^nual brjjj .nt and efficient appeals which yotn rried from day to day, and PW !vo result*! up' to this time ? nnnroximately $25,000 being sent in appiox. Ml . alone, were t,h?xeScu whisr "Stttw you to titnfic of all parties concerned, ft? SS?, indeed, in our humble ?Pj?j io, an inspiration to all of South ruLun a and to tfle nation at lafge. Ca;f? we thought it Would meet with vour approval, we would like the world to know how, on this terrible i t M?v 17 1923, before the brave arid never to be forgotten men of Kershaw County were able to begin the work of removing the bodies from t dcSi. Of the burnedffbu.ld.nB, nractically the entire staff of ihc Slate was on hand, offering the.r ser vices and their sympathy, ""d.how f r days these gallant' and b.g hearted newspaper reporters of The btates Staff Remained in Camden, telling the world of the horrors of this catastro phe, and how they did everything within their power to e"?Ourage us to trust in God and do the best we could under the circumstances. This is, we know, but a feeble ex pression of our appreciation, and oi what is due to The State and its en tire staff from Kershaw county, but you know how we feel, so it is un necessary to attempt to tell you any more. In conclusion, we thank y?u\ Camden and Kershaw County Cham-; ber of Commerce. By F. H. Harding, President; k. I. j Reardon, Menaging-Secretary. Camden, May 30. Will Meet at Bethune. The Home Demonstration depart ment of Kershaw county and the home demonstration clubs and tne Kirls' clubs of- Bethune Cassattand Timrod, cooperating with Miss Y Boyd, home demonstration agent and the Chamber of Commerce, are going to put on a community day at Bethune School building on Tuesdav June 26th. The Bethune Club girls have invited their mothers and the Cassatt giris have invited their moth ers while the Timrod mothers have invited their girls te be their guests "?KfS>!?i ; pee Waiker, specialist ! in food conservation of Winthrop college and Mrs. S. O. Plowden, Pee Dee District Home' Demonstration Agent, have been invited to be Pfe?" ent. while County Agent J. W. ban ders of Kershaw County, Secretary I. Reardon, of the Camden and Ker shaw County Chamber. of Commerce are also, invited to discuss economic problems and a number of -the Cam den Chamber of Commerce and direc tors will be present also. The presidents of the Home dem onstration clubs; in charge of this community day are Mesdames A. ? McManus, of Timrod Club, A. J. Smith of Bethune Club, Miss Thelma Smith of Bethune Girls Club, Miss Pauline Young of Cassatt Girls Club. The 1 923* Kershaw County r air will be discussed at this meeting. From Mr. and Mrs. Marvin. Writing to Mr. C. H.. Yates fr6m Sao-Nipi pnrk, N. H., Mr. H. G. Marvin, manager of the Hobkirk Inn, one of Camden's totirist hotels, says: "We can appreciate what you have lccn going through and once in a life time is horror enough. Eleanor and I want to help and 1 wish you Would draw $100.00 from the Hobkirk ac count to use as you see fit. Please tell 'Ho Campbells and others whom we know that we grieye for them." Sends Check To Chronicle. Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Easier, residing on route one, Spartanburg, S. C., in sending in a renewal to The Chronicle sends a check for $5.00 to us to be turned over to the Cleveland Relief Committee to be used for the fire sufferers. - Sorry Fund Was Stopped. Showing the spirit in which the people of the State contributed to the relief of the Cleveland fire sufferers, the following was received by Mayor ('arrison from Lewis M. Rice, editor of the Union Times: "Dear Mr. Garrison: Sorry you stopped the collection of money "for the orphans we. were having such a good time getting it and everybody was feeling good over contributing. If y<ru will accept this check, it it all will send unless you authorize ft. With best wishes, ? Lewis M. Rice." KICKSHAW SCHOOLS CLOSE. W. H. K?kkm, of Columbia, Preache* Sermon Before Class. ?' 1 " r ? Kershaw, June 1.- The sermon of the commencement program of the Kershaw Hjgn School was preached Sunday evening by the Rev. W. H. Boggs, Services being held' at the Presbyterian church. Monday after noon a musical recital was held hi the auditorium of the high school by the pupils of Miss Mary Hayes' music class. Monday evening the graduating class presented capably a play, "Why ?mith Left Home." Tuesday afternoon a flag and Bible Eresentation program was. carried out y J. O. U, M., the exercises being conducted by W. F. Estridge, district deputy. After the presentation of the beautiful (lag and Bible; an address was delivered by A. J. Bethea on the aims and ideals of the' order aiid the flag was raised amid the cheers of children and grownups present. The class day exercises took place Tues day evening and were mucty enjoyed. The graduating and clbsing exer cises of the class were held Wednes day evening, Congressman W. F. Ste venson of Cheraw was the principal speaker, his subject, "The Currency to our Country," being an instructive and illuminating exposition of the problems of financing the nation. Then followed the addresses of the graduating class. Furman C. Horton was salutatorian, Edith Gregory, vale dictorian, arid an oration by J. M. Hil ton, 'Jr. The following were given di plomas by T. J. Gregory, chairman yf the board of trustees; Annie Baker, W. E. Baker, J. T. Blackwell, Grace A. Crowe, Lessie L. Croxton, Edith Gregory, J. M. Hilton, Jr., Furman C. Horton, William L. Lowery, Connie Mackey, Marguerite Nelson, Carrie E. Newman, Ottie Lee Robinson, Ger trude Taylor, Ozelle Truesdale'. Miss Edith Gregory was given the gold medal for the highest record for the four year high school course in scholarship. Miss Gertrude Taylor and Furman C. Horton were given medals for tyghest -standing scholar ship for the year, being tied for first place. The essay medal for the best essay on 'South Carolina's Part in the Confederate *War'< \yas awarded to James T. Blackwell. The medal for scholarship in the seventh grade was won by T. B. Clyburn, 3rd. The- Ka n>sh medal for the highest rating in the eighth grade was won by Minnie Williams. The ninth grade medal was won by Robert Hayes and the tenth grade medal was won by Edna Car ! son. This brought to a close a most successful year, marked progress 'having been attained under' the direc tion of the present superintendent, R. C. Lake, and the board of trustees, consisting of T. J. -Gregory, chairman, J. M. Lowery, secretary, arid T.'B. Clyburn. Under the leadership of these men the town has seen ,the wishes and hopes of th<8. people real ized in the building and completion just in time for the closing exercises this year of a beautiful and well equipped _high school, the -building being of brick and costing approxi-* mutely $40,000. - Hagood School Closing. The commencement exercises of the Hagood School in Sumter county were held Thursday evening of last week and a record breaking audience from Sumter county and quite a number of Camden and" Kershaw Court ty ladies and gentlen|pn7 attended. The pupils of this modern and pro gressive school certainly acquitted themselves in splendid style and re flected much credit upon their teacher, Miss Aurelia Mayer. Exceptional artistic ability was displayed by the actors and actresses in the fine pro gram of entertainment. After the commencement the ladies of Hagood and vicinity served delicious* ice cream and other light refreshments. The people of this school district have certaihly erected one o? the most modern school buildings in the state and this building, together with tfie teacher, Miss Aurelia Mayer, and the community, price and interest therein are high tributes to the pro gressiveness of Hagood and 'Raftin Creek Township. The Camden and Kershaw County Chamber of Commerce was officially represented at the oxercises by Mr. J. Blakeney Zemp, director atid Fh- I. Reardon, managing secretary, and many other Camden and Kershaw la dies and gentlemen. Two Stills Captured. On Thursday, Magistrate L. Cook and his constable, D F. Phil lips of Kershaw; and Sheri.f J. P. Hurtter, his deputy Robert Horton, Constable Montgomery and Chief of Police Bell of Lancaster, made raids in the JBuffalo section ajH} captured two stills,. a copper still a'rid two bar rels of mash ready to run, near the home of Jas. Barret on ft. H. Hinson's place; the other, an oil drum still, three empty mash barrels, two in the house, and one at the crib at the hoitte of two negro women on R. J. Marv gum's place. There was indication that this last still had been run the night before. They also got ^ barrel of mash ready for running mar the home of Tillman Adams who hives oti the Alex Mungo place, now owned by Amos Mungo. They also found a barrel of beer on the. Murdock Shaw plate, near the Catoe settlement. No arres^p were made, "but it is under stood that Jas. Barret, who ran when the officers went to his place will surrender and make bond. The iden tity of others is also. known to the officers and arrests may follow. ? Kerf thaw Era. / . fe .? * - r \ # ? OCCUPANTS OF CAR INJURED. Tire Blown Out While Machine In Traveling Fast. Bishopville, June 8. ? An automobile accident that came near "being a trag edy occurred about 8 .o'clock this morning on the highway about mid way betwen Bishopville and Camden, when an automobile belonging to J. P. Dent, of . Columbia, was wrecked when one of the rear tires blew out whjthv the car was travelling at a high rate of speed. In the car at the time of the accident besides Mr. Dent, who was driving, was Mrs. Dent, and their five small children and Mrs.' Dent's sister, Miss Louise Gardner, of Haitsville, and a negro nurse maid. All occupants were more or less in jured, although Mrs. Dent and Alice aged 13, appear (o be the most seri ously hurt. Mrs. Dent was severely cut about the breast; her right "Wrist was brok en; her face badly cut ami the profile and upper left jaw broken. Little, Alice received a terrific blow about the left eye and an X-ray will be nec .e^savy to determine whether the skull was fractured. She was badly bruised and cut about the stomach and the right knee cap cuf. Mr. Dent was cut about the head,' arm and leg ami otherwise bruised. Miss Gardner, the nurse, Bernard, 11 years old, and the baby, Leila", 4, were all bruised sbme, but their injuries are not serious. Epps, 9, was badly cut in the back and bruised about the body. James, 7, suffered a broken leg about midway between the right hip and knee and was also bruised. The party was on their way from Columbia, to the home of Mrs. Dent's parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Gardner, near Hartsville, where the family expected to visit during the coming week. Mr. Dent says that he was probably, going fifty miles an hour \vhen the tire blew out and that he hardly knows what happened afler that. The car landed on its side arid was almost a complete wreck, catching fire after the accident, although the fire was extinguished. In a very short time the injured were brought to Bishopville and received treatment? in the offices of Dr. McLui^e. After preliminary examinations it was deemed -advisable to take Mrs. Dent and Alice to the hospital and they were carried to Florence this after-' noon. ? Appointed Registrar. Governor McLeod has named George Nicholson as a member of the Ker shaw County board .of registration to succeed J. M. Moseley, resigned. May Change Dove Season. Columbia, June 6. ? A. A. Richard son, chief game warden for South Carolina, is making an. effort to have the open season for doves changed from September 1 to December *?6 to November 1 to January 81. In New Quarters.. Mr. G. C. Bruce, vproprietoi1 -of the Pure Food Store, has moved from his former stand on the corner of Broad and DeKalb streets to the store room on East DeKalb street belong ing to Mr. George T. Little. The store -is located between the Rest Shop and Hotel Camden and is admirably, fit ted fof a grocery store. Mr/ Bruce has not had time to get his stock straightened out, fcut when it is put in good shape this will be one of the best grocery stores in the city. h ? ? t? ? * Over ,Forty Thousand. Up to noon on Wednesday the total contributions received at the head quarters of ( tne Cleveland Disaster Relief Fund ' amounted %to $40,246.-11, and ieach mail bringa^additional con tributions. 1 ' ? , f i i - To Dipcuss County Fair. On Wednesday r Jtme 27th, at 12 o'clock, at ? the county court house, there will be a joint meeting ofrrepre sentatives of the numerous home dem onstration clubs and the farmers and their, families generally of Kershaw county at Camden . with County Agent J. W. Sanders and Miss Jennie V. Boyd, home demonstration agent of Kershaw, Allen Murchison, county superintendent of education, and officers and directors of the Cam den and Kershaw County Chamber of Commerce and other Camdeoi men .and > womenato discuss the Greater Kershaw County Fair for 1923. ? One of the most important features of this year's county fair will be, if tjie plans of* some of the promoters prevail, the Spectacular pageant of progress parade on County School Day when thousands of the pupils of the Kershaw County schools and the Camden School teachers will march in an allegorical procession. It is hoped that there will be hundreds of beautifully decorated automobiles and commercial floats in this pageant of progress parade by Camden's business and professional men and women and of other Kershaw County towns and communities ? and that many private cars will also be entered. 'Mr. J. Frank Williams, county agent and Miss Care Truluck, "home demonstration agent of Sumter coun ty, Mrs. S. O. Piowden, Pee Dee Dis trict Home Demonstration Agent ? ^tisa Christine South, State Home Demonstration Agent, Miss Landrum, Assistant Home Demonstration Agent ? all experienced home economic and county fair experts will be invited to attend this conference. The Cam den Chamber of Commerce is taking the lead in this matter with the enthu siastic backing of Camden's business concerns. ? ? r~ BKTHUNK NEWS NOTES Hipp^ninya of Interest Ah Told By Our Correspondent. Bethune, S. Cv, June G. ? A "mitten party" wuh given Thursday afternoon under the auspices of the Presbyter ian Auxiliary at the residence of Mrs. A, B. McLaurin. More than ono hundred invitations were issued in rhyme, a tiny mitten being enclosed ami the recipient asked to send or bring it filled with coin amounting to three times the site of the glove worn, A contest, answers, of which were the names of persons residing 1n Bethune and surrouriding community resulted in Mrs". J, M. Forbis and Miss Alene McDowel^ scoring highest. They were awarded a lovely bunch of sweet peas. Readings by Misses Mae Long and Catherine Stevens and mu sic by the school faculty were pleas ing features of the after, tM?>n. Block cream and cake were served. The afternoon proceeds amounted to about $36.00. ' The tenth grade entertained in honor of the eleventh grade at the home Of Prof. (). R. Bell last Friday evening. A pleading evening was spent in games arid conversation after which a sweet course was served. Dr. Eldon Severance, who has just completed a pharmacy course in At lanta. is visiting his parents, Mr. and Mr".. J. E. Severance. Prof. O. K. Bell has moved into the "house which was formerly occupied by Mr. C. L. Mays. Mjss Alta Copeland, who has been teaching mathematics in the Fletcher Memorial School is at home for the sum mer. Mrs. Lerue Seegars and child, of Columbia are spending some time with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Z. Brannon. Misses Marguerite Clyburn and Genevive McDonald, of Kershaw, were guests of their ? sisters, Misses Clyburn and McDonald, during the commencement. o Messrs Ralph McCaskill and Lpnnie McCoy of Columbia were Week-end visitors in Bethune. Mesdames J. R. Sojourner and W. A. Outlaw left Saturday for Winthrop College to attend the graduating ex ercises of their daughters, Misses Ellen Sojourner and Berlie Oytlaw. ? Mrs. C. L. Mays and daughter, An nie, of Cartersville, visited in Be thune last week. ' ' . Mr.' Edward Sojourner of Wofford College is at home for the summer vacation. ? Neil Truesdell is spending the week end with James Norwood at McBee. Susie Mae Bateman, of Kershaw, is visiting her cousin, Willene Es tridge. Miss Josie Blackmon, of Darling ton, is visiting her sister, Mrs. L. O. Johnson. Miss' Leontf Northcutt,, of Balti more,' is spending her. vacation with her parents, Mr. and' Mrs. H. W. Northcytt. . Miss Mary Arthur attended the commencement exercises at Winthrop College. * .. Last Wednesday the 75th birthday of Mrs. John McDonald was celebra ted at the home of her daughter, Mrs. A. B. McLaurin. The town was shocked to hear of the sudden death of Mrs. Johnson of Lake City last Sunday morning. Just the week previous Mrs. Johnson had visited her son, Dr. L. O. Johnson, and seemed in her usual health. Dr. and Mrs. Johnson returned from the fun eral services Monday afternoon. Sunday evening at the school audi torium the commencement sermon was preached by Rev. W. S. Patter son, A. R. P. church of Lancaster. Monday evening a very humorous high school play entitled "A Poor Married Man,"~~vvas presented before a full house. Tuesday evening, in spite of the downpour of rain, a full house was present to witness the graduating ex ercises ; which were: Piano solo, Nan cy Best; Salutatory, Josh Smith; Class Prophecy. Nell Williams; Piano Solo, Malloy Hearon; Class Will, Janet Williams; Valedictory, LeRoy Northcutt; Piano* Solo; Clara Goi^bn; High School Chorus. A very forceful address given by Prof. Guy A. Lackey, teacherqf Phy sicology, of Chicora College; Piano Solo, Mary Louise McLaurin," Sex tette; Awarding of Diplomas by Prof. O. R. Bell. The teachers left for their res pective homes Wednesday morning. This closed the second year of Prof. Bell's work, in the Bethune school. The. patrons and trustees, are con gratulating themselves on securing his services for another year. Two Babies Born in Fire. Columbia, June 4. ? This correspon dent in supplcmentirtg the excellent account of the Associated Press the day after the Cleveland school fire made mention of an incident that he has not seen mentioned elsewhere, and had begun to fear that he had been misled and had unintentionally skidded over the line and into "yel low" journalism. Namely ? I qweted a Camden citizen as saying that a physician of that city stated positive ly that a baby had been bom in the excitement of the fire. Hon J. J. Mc Mahan, who was there subsequently, tells me tfcat there is conclusive evi dence that two ? n%t one ? babies were born. Can anything more aptly por tray the agony of that hour! A cry in the night, the w4il ?f a new born babe. Then siletice. There were seven ty-nine ? not seventy-seven ? who per ished, in that Are. ? William Backs in Newa and Courier. ? ? m . STAIRWAY DID NOT FALL. Commissioner McMahnn Makes Au thentic Report on Cleveland Fire, ??The preventable negligence whs in tho h.n*inB of tl?. ump n"'KnUno1urn if tho' stairway there could have Wen no tuch jam^ Such is the conclusion of John J. Mc Ma twin state insurance wmissioner, S,' personal tnve?,iKat?n into th. Cleveland school fire, in whit ' women and children lost their live* Mr McMahan in a statement contam itxlr the results of his probe also coi rects* first reports that the stall %vt\y had collapsed. This, he points out, would have made the work of rescue """Since writing the camn>e.U? which were published last Sunday, Mi . Mc Mahan say* i? h>.? ... ,bo personally investigated the "" it < >> Cleveland school building in Ke.sl.aw county on the night of May i "It was caused by the falling ? J metal, kerosene, round wick It mp which hung* from a hook fttt"cht'dtt(1 nr driven in the ceiling. A nutni cover to the chimney, intend^ to pre vent too great heat against the ce - inn is supposed to haVe been ouslv lost off. The ceiling actually caught lire around the j?PPort!,?S hook (it is not known whethti the place had been chimed and the sup port weakened by the heat on f aimer 0t?AT"un in the auditorium who lost his life in the tire went forward to relieve this trouble without attracting attention, but the lamp fell before he reached the stage. A lady who had pointed out the blaze to h m had im mediately withdrawn quietly from the hall with her child. "There were four lamps hanging from the stage, one to the .f,on\ a"(1( one to the rear on each side. 1 he it was also a lamp hanging from - the ceiling near the middle of. the hall, and a sixth lamp was on the Pm"? "The stage at the west end of the auditorium was a platform 18 inches hitch. Burlap curtains were hung on each side to cut off dressing rooms. The lamp at fhe front ol the stage to the left of the audience fell the burlap curtain, spattered oil and started a blaze. A survivor conspieu- 1 ous in the rescue work, sitting on the third seat from the front, t" ' ruir from the stage and trad U smother the blaze. The /"nd i tains in front were one of canvas and one of sheeting. It is stated that I some persons used these light cur tains to fight the flame and thus gave it nnirk fuel. It is said that a Duriap curtain was used to fight the Arc also but there is uncertain^ as to tht. ^"If "the lamp had been substantially supported upon an attachment to the wall rather than swung from and dose up to the ceiling, the fire would not have occurred. . .. "The stairway was at the OPP0*1^ (east) end of the building. It was narrow. Two children .could march i up it abreast but not two men. It was about three feet Wide and was not steep. There were solid walls on each side and at the bottom of 14 or 15 .'steps a solid wall in front, the steps turning at right, angles fn>m a plat form three feet square. Three addi tional steps completed thfe descent into a cloak room from which theie 'wis a doorway into a large class room and thence the exit to the out doors. The door* opened inward but this did not play any port in the tra gedy as they were open and stayed ?^"The first rush was down the staii way. Unfortunately * people seized children and dropped them over the banisters into the f^wajr and jump pd after them: Thte cdntnbuted Xq the of the stairway with obstructing b?Men and women who had ea?al^ ?reentered the stairway tq look for foved ones whom they had not seen on the outside. Two mothers, very ' large | and sU?ut, struggling to mount the stairs, were knocked down and help I ed to block the landing. People falling ' againit the solid wall and others ! wedging into every space in opposite directions made a complete obstruc tion. "The coroner of the county who lost I his life was a large man, crippletl and lx>wed over, necessarily taking much room on the stairway or at tho land ing. The circumstances of his size and difficulty in walking and the size of the two mothers trying to reenter may account for the blocking of the landing, children and others crowding around and between and filling all in terstices. The disaster was thus for tuitous from a most unusual cause. "An elderly man, attempting to pre vent the choking of the stairway by the persons seeking to reenter, had braced himself at the landing, putting one foot against the opposite side of the stairway. Later he was seen there inextricably packed around by pile3 of bodies lying crosswise and in every position. He and a younger man standing by him said to the wouldbe rescuers on the outside, "No use to try to pull me.' 'You can't pull me an inch. The only way is to kno^c down the wall." "Up in the auditorium people con tinued to crowd down the stairway, many clambering out over the pack ed mass, there being two or three feet of open space at the top of the doorway at the foot of the stirs. "The three young women teachers all escaped, though among the last to leave the auditorium. One was lift' ed at the head of the stairway and pushed by ber feet forwanj^over the ' - ? \ *' 'js* ' V. \ -- "'4? ~ i RED CROSS WITHDRAWS. Distribution of Cleveland Relief Fund Left Solely With Committee^ The American Red Gross head quarters at Atlunta telegraphed . the following message to The Chronicle Updor date of June 5th: "Joseph C*. Logan, manager of the Southern division of the American Red Cross, tonight issued the follow ing statement relative to the relief fund for the sufferers from the Cleve land school fire near Camden: "The American Red Cross has of ficially withdrawn from further con nection with the relief administration for sufferers of the Cleveland school house fire,, near Camden, S. C. "All further responsibility for the disbursement of the funds douAted will rest wholly with a local relief committee com post*! of Kershaw county citizens. The funds contributed in response to the appeal of Governor McLeod of South Carolina wore con sidered by the local committee as en tirely adequate to meet all needs and the local committee doefded that it was not necessary to accept any funds from the American Red Cross reserve fund. "The last Red .Cross worker has left Camden and arrived in Atlanta today, reporting that the relief work was well organized under the entire charge of the local committee. "The withdrawal of the Red Cross followed a decision of the local relief committee to 'disburse its funds di- v recti y instead of through tne Red. Cross.' "In explaining his statement, Mr. Logan said: /The American Red Cross ? could not by responsible for adminis tering relief funds unless those funds were disbursed through the Red Cross and subject to final audit by the war department as -required by congress."' mass, being pulled out at the bottom of the stairway. Another states that she walked down the stairway over the crowd and got out, losing one shoe and the heel from the other. The third escaped through a window. "It is not true, as first reported, that the stairway broke. All agree that this would have throWn the crowd into a big open room below and made the work of rescue easy. "Nearly all cif the deaths were caused by suffocation or physical in jury under the surging crowd. Chil dren ami women were packed at the botlom of the stairway as in a fun nel. Very few felt the flames which inter consumed the whole mass. "The hall had been crowded to standing room, the number present being estimated at from 250 to 300. Seventy-seven persons lost their lives. Only 65 bodies were accounted for, in the ruins. Many children were burned up entirely. Only^two persons were recognisable by their features, two children at the bottom of the mass. One family consisting of a widower, three daughters and a son was wiped out. Some families were reduced to one or two. An. elderly lady in Cam den, twice married, lost 43 relatives and family conrffections. "In the auditorium were four win dows on each side of the building, and * two windows at the eatot end. Thus there were eight windows from which ? escape was reasonably safe. "The building was about two. and a feet from the first floor to the ceil ing. The window sills on the second floor were only about two or two and a half feet from the floon, the teach ers having often been afraid that the children might fall out. Thus the en tire distance to the ground from a window sill was not more than 15 or 10 feet, and a porsorf swinging out would have reachod within about nine feet of the ground before dropping. "There was a little porch on the front side of the building. One win-, dow ppened on its roof and possibly two. Many people went out on this roof, the edges of which were not more than 13 feet from the ground. A flag pole erected on the roof was broken off by men and leaned Against the roof to the ground, and women and children were assisted to 'slide down this pole, men on the ground catching them and steadying the pole. Automoble cushions were put under the windows to break the fall of those who dropped and automobiles were driven under the windows * or the porch for people to jump on. The oldest woman present, about 71 years ot age, was saved. , "The preventable negligence was in the hanging of the lamp and in the construction of the stairway. If there had been no turn in the stairway, there could have been no such jam. The disaster seems to bo, unprece dented in being due to the crowding of the two currents of people. "The building was of wood, ceiled and painted and with a tin roof, which is credited with having forced the flames downward more rapidly than, if they could have gotten out above. "This building wa.s erected in 1908 whert there was no state supervision and control of the plan of school buildings. There is no law now for any inspection of "building's outside of towns to prevent fire hazards, but there has for some years been in op eration a state law for giving state aid to school buildings of a certain standard and the plans of such build ing's aire carefully scrutinized by the state superintendent of education to make sure that they have proper pro- ? tection against fire. "It is not true that this doomed building had been condemned. Never theless, thjs was to be its last day of use, because of the movement for een . (Continued on last page.) 7. .