J.O. Moseley concerning the Schoolhouse fire

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By:

J.O. Moseley

When the news of the terrible catastrophe at the Cleveland school house in Kershaw county, S. C., was flashed over the wires on the morning of May 18, 1923, the first impulse of the heart was to go as hastily as possible to the scene and be of what help and comfort we could to the survivors, for there we had spent our infancy, youth and prime of life, and here, if anywhere, we had those near and dear to us by the ties of nature as also by the ties of neighborly friendship. So, we were off as early as we could leave Charleston, our adopted home, and as hastily as possible began to go among those here, many of whom were also badly wounded by falls or fire, and our soul was deeply grieved, and not being able to do more to comfort' and cheer by personal visitation, decided to write a little article for the papers, but each family that was afflicted seemed worthy of more space than we usually took for a writing. So we decided to write a little book and devote a short chapter to each family, and we have done what we could in the limited space to say something of each that would assuage their sorrows, and with the hope in our heart that the purpose will be accomplished, we dedicate these lines to' the memory of the dead, and the survivors of the horrible calamity that made the whole civilized world shudder with grief.

J.O. Moseley

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The building in which the holocaust occurred, that destroyed nearly four score souls at Cleveland school house on the night of May 17, 1923, was six miles southeast of Camden, S. C. It was built on property formerly belonging to General Chestnut, who had his summer home a few hundred yards away, where he had a gurgling spring of sparkling water gushing from the hillside, where nearby was the old brick house, long ago fallen _i decay and the brick used for other purposes. But some of the old frame buildings are still standing, to remind one of those halcyon days, and the grounds still retaining some of their pristine beauty, which was several acres in extent. The school building was the fifth to be burned in the same neighborhood, though not any of the others having been erected on the same spot. Two were erected and burned at Mt. Olivet church, a mile or more away. Then, to get away from the hoodoo, or whatever it was that was causing the school buildings to be destroyed by fire, the trustees decided to erect the third one on lands donated by Mr. J. F. West, a mile or more from the church, and after two buildings had been destoyed by fire on this spot, then it was decided to rebuild on the site above referred to, which was about a mile from the public road, and far removed from any clearings and out in the wild woods, some having to make paths for their children to reach the building by near ways. Mr. F. H. Arrants, who lost an adopted child, and many relatives and neighbors and friends in the fire, was a school trustee at the time of the building of the house, and it was built according to his plans, and at the time of the building, was considered one of the best country school buildings in the state and was noted for the scholarship attained by those attending its sessions. The teacher selected to teach at Cleveland always felt fortunate to be chosen to teach such bright boys and girls, in such a neighborhood and in such a building.

All can see the mistake that was made in not having the stairway open into the lower hall, instead of having it turn into the girls' cloak room, which was on the east side of the porch that led to the main building, which hallway also had a cloak room on the west side of it for boys. The stairway also had a cloak room underneath it, which made it secure against falling under strain, and had not this cloak room been placed there, it would possibly have broken in and relieved the congestion and enabled some to escape that could not, in the circumstances. The lower floor had a partition beginning at the foot of the stairs, running across the building, forming a wall for the turning into the cloak room, which was reached by a flight of three steps from the main floor. The stairway turned abruptly eastward up the north wall and was about thirty inches wide, and the exit from the upper hall to the stairway was possibly four feet wide.

The stage was at the opposite end of this forty by twenty foot room, and was about eight feet long and across the width of the building, and this was the last act of the last play that was to be held in the building, as another and more suitable one had been porcured a mile or so away, which is known far and wide as the "Boykin Terraces", where buildings, flowers, shrubs, terraces, walks, everything, remind one that here once was an historic Southern home, where chivalry and gentility met and where latterly Miss Charlotte Thompson had restored it to its former glory; and had donated it, in part, to the trustees and people of the community as a school building and grounds, and no lovelier spot could have been chosen. But, alas, fate would have it that many that were to share in its beneficent work were entrapped in the doomed building and engulfed in the wicked flames, and many heroes were buried beneath its ruins, and just as heroic were they who saved life and limb by standing at the windows above and tossing loved ones and friends to heroes below, who broke the fall of many that otherwise would have been maimed for life, or possibly there and then been ushered into eternity. Some, even, that were standing beneath the windows catching those jumping from above were crushed to earth by the weight of the fall and crippled for life. A brother of the writer, J. H. Moseley, who was responsible for the presence of two young ladies at the entertainment, rescued both from the burning building, and they three were catching those jumping from the windows, when a heavy person jumped into the arms of one of the ladies and crushed her to the ground, breaking a leg, and otherwise injuring her, and then the brother had to leave off the work of rescue and take her to the Camden hospital six miles distant, and then take the sister to her home at Bishopville, more than twenty miles distant, and report to her father the calamity that had befallen his own home as well as nearly every home in the surrounding country, and had brought sorrow to the whole state and the civilized world, and just to mention almost any name on the list of killed or injured or bereaved, brings a tinge of sorrow over the soul of the writer, who knew most intimately nearly every one so affected, for forty or more years of his life had been spent in the community and for many years he was superintendent of a Sunday school nearby, and was otherwise pleasantly associated with them. Nearly half of those destroyed were closely related either by blood or marriage, and those who were not so related were just as dear to him as if they were fleshly kin.

We will mention them by chapters, or families, as they appeared on the bulletin board at the News & Courier office on the morning after the fire.

Mr. and Mrs. C. N. Humphries.

They were both very religious. They were both people of fine judgment. They were both people of fine parentage. They were both people of the highest integrity. They were faithful to God. They were faithful to their children. They were faithful to their neighbors. They had started life together, with little besides indomitable spirits, unquenchable zeal, dogged determination to succeed, and they settled out in the woods a few miles from Camden, but it was not long before folks knew where they lived, for here was quickly demonstrated the truth of - the saying that if you do things in a worthy way the world will make a path to your door. Many times have we, with many others, been edified by the teaching of the Bible class by Mrs. Humphries at the old church that a few years ago was torn away and replaced by the present building, that stands by the great new made grave, which is a monument to the zeal and fidelity of this faithful pair, more than to any other, and possibly to all others combined, for they spared neither time nor means until they say to completion the work to which they had placed their hands, and it was this as with every endeavor in which they engaged, and the burden to either did not seem great for they had a peculiar talent in sharing their burdens and cares, and a task that would crush folks unequally yoked together, seemed light to these pious friends. They soon built up a beautiful home, not only in its outward appearance, but more beautiful in the inward purity, and there came to bless them a large family of children, as devoted to mother and father and to each other as could be found in the state. It seemed little trouble and great pleasure for faithful parents to labor for material gain and dispense it to those whom God had committed their care; and they never seemed to tire in their efforts to advance the interest of their children, religiously, socially, educationally, and they seemed to have more time to devote to the happiness of the community round about them than anybody else. Whoever was sick was ministered unto; whoever was friendless was befriended. In fact, their endeavors for good were only limited by time and circumstances. Many times the writer vividly remembers visits by the pair to his home, when sickness or sorrow overtook us, and they were visits as if angels had been sent from heaven, for who could lend a helping hand or speak a word of comfort and cheer better than these faithful friends and neighbors? The same service was rendered all those in need of it that came to their attention.

They had, at the time of their deaths, graduated four of their children at standard colleges, and another would soon have gone forth into the battle of life well prepared to measure up to every requirement of the coming days, which are so fraught with mighty tasks that will call for a high standard of intelligence, as well as great moral courage, and all these qualities are theirs in double measure, for both father and mother were pure gold. Dr. Alva Humphries is a successful physician at Bethune. Mr. Arthur Humphries is a leading educator, being principal of the Kershaw graded schools. Tom Humphries, who died the death of the hero that he was, trying to rescue his parents, was at the time of his death assistant cashier of the Babk of Camden, where he went as teller upon his graduation from college. One of the reasons for his selection as a member of the staff of this successful and popular institution was the fact that the father told the cashier to honor any draft that either of his boys might draw on him for funds while at college, and the cashier, who was very zealous of funds entrusted to his care, warned Mr. Humphries that his boys might impose upon his liberality and use too much of his deposits. Whereupon, Mr. Humphries told him that if either of his boys was that kind that he would be willing to lose all the funds he had on deposit at any one time to find it out, and that would end his dealings with him. But none have ever betrayed that implicit trust and are honoring the good name bequeathed them, which is to be preferred to great riches. Charlie, Jr., soon to graduate from Wofford college, is a worthy successor to the name.

Little Frank, a mere lad, upon seeing that his father and mother had perished in the flames, rushed to the car and hurriedly went for Dr. Humphries, 25 miles away, and in about one hundred minutes, was back at the spot where lay the charred remains, and this alone, and through a wooded country, which shows the true metal of which he is made. Lorena, we wish we could do or say something that would assauge your bleeding heart and suffering soul. You were the personification of your noble parents. Is that enough for us to say? I think so.

Miller L. McLeod was reared on an adjoining farm to ours, and Mamie, his wife, was reared on the farms adjoining ours on the opposite side from where Miller was reared. Either of them could hear our voices, as we called the pigs or calves, or sing our little morning song. Even after we had gone away to make our own home, they could hear our voice as it wafted over the morning dew, as we called our help for the day's tasks. These two relatives (Miller, our double first cousin, and Mayme's wife's first cousin) had a few years ago married. Soon they built a cozy little five-room cottage, nicely painted, in the midst of a four-acre grove of sapling pines on a beautiful mound, which faced the public road and made it one of the most desirable sites for a pretty residence to be found anywhere. Well here, amidst such surroundings, and endowed with natural wit and jovial disposition, they had set themselves to the task of rearing a family in the nurture and admonition of God, when suddenly, all but little "Dot", who jumped from the burning building and was caught by a friend, were destroyed, and the pretty little cottage stands amidst the sapling pines, that a few years ago were brought forth to their resurrected glory by the death of the pine mass that gave them their present beauty.

We trust that the death of Miller and his wife and sweet children has only released their souls to a brighter and sweeter life beyond. They were both generous to a fault, and ever craved the championship of friends, and few had more friends than they, or were more worthy of friendship.

Chapter 3

Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Brown. Eugene, as we called him, was reared in an adjoining neighborhood and was one of a large family, all of whom we know pleasantly, even before he married and moved into the Beulah neighborhood. We attended the same church, went to the same picnics and talked to the same girls when we were boys. Then, at the age of seventeen, we, with a brother, went to Thompson military school at Siler City, N. C. Eugene was among the first to greet us and give us a welcome that we shall never forget, for it was our first trip so far from home, and we needed all the help we could get to keep us from getting too homesick. We were intimate friends as long as we were at school, and then he married Miss Margaret Wilson, who was at one time teacher of the Cleveland school. They together purchased a tract of land a few miles southeast of Camden on which stood a double penned log house with framed rooms built to the back, and no porch in front. Both taught school and did other work to finish paying for the tract of land, and when they had paid for it, they set about to build up the farm and home. It was not long before they had torn away the old log cabin and erected inits stead a beautiful mansion of the latest type, and it was hedged about by beautiful privet bushes, which were kept well trimmed. Flowers adorned the porch, the yard, and everywhere you looked there was something to gladden the eye. The house was fitted with water works, and every convenience known to the country home. They were not satisfied with scrub cows, hogs, stock or poultry. So they had the finest money could buy of each and many different breeds of poultry, which were kept in separate pens, was a delight-to the visitor, and every phase of their farm life was in consonance with these mentioned.

Mr. Brown was called on to serve his community in many capacities, and we recall that he was demonstration agent and county commissioner of roads. He won many prizes at fairs on his poultry, etc., and prizes on acres of corn, etc.

Mrs. Brown served acceptably in many capacities, and was, at the time of her death, a member of the county board of education.

We shall never forget the cordiality of the friendship of Mr. and Mrs. Brown. We remember once having been invited to serve on a committee to measure the ground and the product of an acre of corn for Mr. Brown, who was in a state contest for the largest production. When the committee arrived, Mr. Brown had already staked off the acre, as he thought, but upon investigation, the committee found that he had undermeasured it. So they proceeded to add as many rows as necessary to make up the deficiency, and they had trouble in convincing Mr. Brown that he was about to cheat himself out of at least two rows of corn. The error occurred by his not having the measurement square. They had one of the most up-to-date country homes in the state, and his last work was at a reaper and binder that he had just started to harvesting his magnificent oat crop.

They left no children, but many near relatives and friends to mourn their tragic end.

S. J. West. Shell, as we called him, was reared about a mile from us and we had never known a better boy. He was industrious almost to a fault. For several years after his maturity he kept bachelor's hall, doing his own cooking, and by industry and frugality, had soon accumulated a nice little start, and then he married a teacher of the neighboring school, Miss Ratterree, and together they purchased a nice tract of land, upon which they had erected a nice settlement and began the rearing of a family, the most noble calling of man and woman. The devotion of each to the other and both to their children, and especially, Shell's devotion to his brother, Lee, was an example worthy of imitatio nby any brothers, and Lee will be sure to see that Shell's family will have every needed protection and help. Shell left his business affairs in fine shape, and a good set of laborers to carry on the farm work. Mrs. West escaped death by jumping from the second story window, or climbing down the flag pole, and her mother, who is over 70, also slid down the pole, but was crippled by the fall. Shell had one sister and several near relatives burned, to be mentioned in other chapters. Once we went to a big fish fry and, after eating all we wanted, the writer was designated to divide the rest of the catch among those present, overlooking Shell, who was just a small boy, and we never forgave ourselves for being so thoughtless as to overlook anyone, especially the smallest boy. We did not detect the oversight till it was too late to correct it.

When we wanted help to repair or repaint the church, Shell was right there, as he was in every good cause. A true yoke fellow has gone to his reward.

Chapter 5

These were dear, sweet children of Mr. and Mrs. L. M. West, and nieces of S. J. West. Their father was, and is, one of our dearest friends, and their mother was for years a teacher at Cleveland. Thelma was fifteen the day of the tragedy and Rebecca was thirteen. Pony, ten, and Lee, Jr., are left for the fond parents to bestow their love, their care and their training, which will make it easier for their wounded hearts to be healed by time. These precious girls had given their hearts to God, and were being taught by their fond parents the high principles of life which alone will take us safely through the sin-cursed world and land us into the bosom of our Father, from whence we came. They can't return, but we can go to them.

Chapter 6

We could write a book about Jess Pearce and of his parents; we could speak about his brothers and sisters, uncles and aunts, and friends, but space will not permit us to say more than that Jess was true as steel and Mrs. Pearce, who was Miss Nellie Simpson, and had long been a teacher at Cleveland school, has the sincerest sympathy of all in the tragic death of a true husband, who had built up a nice home right in sight of the place where she had spent so many profitable months in serving her community as teacher. God will be husband to the widow.

Chapter 7

son. who was an uncle to the writer's wife, by whom she had two children, one of whom, a daughter, is in Chile, S. A., as a missionary. The other, a son, is completing his education in Tennessee.

Mrs. Phillips is survived by her second husband and two children by Mr. Phillips, having lost three in the fire that took the mother. Mrs. Phillips was ever ready to lend a helping hand to the sick and at the last illness and death of our mother a few years ago, her constant attention and help was highly appreciated, and her kindly disposition and jovial nature will be sadly missed from the community from which she was so suddenly and tragically taken. Ruth will miss her. Robert will miss her, Johnnie will miss her. Mr. Phillips will miss her most, and Louise, in faraway Chile, will never see her smiling face again this side of eternity. We will all miss her.

Chapter 8

Mr. Hendrix moved into this community about 25 years ago from the Bethune neighborhood, where he was born about 45 years ago. He had not been here long before he wooed and won Miss Minnie Hendrix for his bride, and it was not long before they had purchased a little home among the oaks. Here they erected a modest building and worked hard. He was straight in his dealings, harmless as a dove, never having been in any difficulty, always pleasant to meet, ever ready to greet you with a smile.

He lost his wife a year or so ago, and had his sister keeping house for him and looking after the motherless children. They all had gone to enjoy

the night entertainment and, lo, and behold, not a one was left to drive the mule and buggy back to the home that night, and when some other person took it there the next day, there was none to receive it. A home without a soul left, where happiness and contentment resigned a few tours before.

An industrious citizen has gone to his reward, a whole family reunited in a have not rest.

Chapter 9

His father and our grandmother were brother and sister. He was an uncle of M. L. and E. G. McLeod, with whom he was spending some time. As his wife, who was also our first cousin, had recently died and he was spending the time among his children and friends. For most of his life he was an overseer of large plantatiodns, and he had good succees in the management of labor, and his help always thought lots of him, for he was ever as kind as circumstances would permit. He is survived by three children, Capt. Alfred McL eod of Camden, who came within one vote of being elected major of South Carolina militia last year; Robbie, who lives in Alabama, and is blind from being gassed in Frnace during the World War, and Mrs. B. G .Cannon of Camden, S. C. Mr. McLeod was also the father of Captain Eben McLeod, who died during the World War. These dear friends and relatives left behind have the sincere sympathy of every one in their great sorrow. Mr. McLeod was over 70 years old.

 Chapter 10

Burnell and Eva were known to us from chi:dhood. Burnel was the baby boy at his father's house, but being the baby boy did not spoil him, for he was one of many children and they were all taught to dig for themselves and do anything that came to hand. His father was one of the best nurses for the sick of the community while he was able to do such work. Many nights did he pond waiting on the sick of our father's family, and the children of each family seemed alrnost like brothers and sisters to each other, for we were not only near neighbors but double first cousins as well. Pdany afternoons op. their way from school wouid the McLeod children stop and beg our parents to let us go and spend the night with them, and many times we were allowed the sweet privilege of havih-- that kindness bestowed upon us as only a McLeod could bestow it. They were as generous to friends as the Father is generous with the air we breathe, or the wutcr we drink. Burnell seemed to cultivate the habits and good traits of ihs parents, and glory in his overflowing generosity. When he won Eva for his bride we knew he had a jewel, for she was schoolmate and chum of our eldest daughter; and we grieve almost as much for her as if she were our very own, for from early childhood we were with her Sunday after Sunday, year in, year out. At church and Sunday school the Bruce children could always be counted on to be present and with the best lessons and best behavior, whether mother or father were present or not. Eva had a dear sister, Irene (Mrs. Truesdel), severely burned, and another, Ethel, severely bruised by jumping from the upstairs window, who may be injured for life. All three of these

had good preparation for teaching, at which they were apt, and all had busied themselves at this calling till Cupid came along and took Eva and Irene into his trap, and only Ethel, a graduate of Winthrop college, was still teaching at the time of the tragedy. Their father was a successful teacher for many years and auditor of Kershaw county for a number of years and was highly esteemed for his good works. Mrs. Bruce was as patient and kind as a mother could be. Eva left nine brothers and sisters (already orphaned by the death of Mr. and Mrs. P. T. Bruce), as follows: Alex, who was among the last ones to leave the burning building, after doing all he could to extinguish the flames after the lamp exploded, and failing in this, began letting down women and children through the upstairs windows to the ground, holding them by the hand and lowering them as far as he could and then letting them fall. He came very near being carried head foremost to the ground by a stout lady that he had lowered, and could not get loose from the hold she had on his arm. Tom, John, Charlie, Claburn, Kate and Sarah, besides those mentioned above, each of whom we would like to speak of more at length.

Chapter 11

Mrs. Croft was known before ber marriage to Brit, as we called him, as Miss Lula Branham. The Branhams are known far and wide as men of honor frugality and industry. Only a year or so ago the father had the misfortune of losing a large quanity of baled cotton that he had stored under a shed, upon which he carried no insurance. This loss represented the hard and honest toil of two years for himself and family, but this property loss, though severe, was as nothing as compared to the loss of his dutiful child in the angry flames, Our heart goes out to the motherless children and bereft husband, for we were pleasantly associated in business for quite a while with Brit, and when his mother died he seemed to look to us, in some measure, to help him overcome the handicap of coming into manhood without her beneficent influence. We never tired of having him in our home, or in our business, and he always proved faithful to us. May God comfort his soul and guide the children.

Chapter 12

Mr. Hendrix was, at the time of his death, an overseer of Pine harm, one of the most beautiful farms to be found, belonging to Mr. H. G. Garrison, father to the mayor of Camden. Mr. Hendrix had only one child and she was taking a leading part in the entertainment, and was possibly as bright a girl as the community afforded, and she was the idol of her parents' hearts. Mr. Hendrix had made his escape from the burning building, when he perceived that his only chill was unrescued. He rushed back into the flames and they perished together. Mr. Hendrix was heard to say, "watch me die with her". They left wife and mother alone except for the t,,resence of the aged father of Mrs. Hendrix, who was staying on Pine harm to aid Mr. Hendrix in his work. Thus, perished Charlie and all his children, and Wesley and all he had except his wife acid a brother that lived in a faraway city. But the mutual friendship existing between us will be fragrant as long as memory shall last, for we lived in sight of each other for twenty years or more. Wesley Hendrix was an honest and upright man, and we need say no more.

Chapter 13

When we read the list of the dead we did not dream that the Mrs. Rhoden whose game appeared had reference to one we had known from childhood to womanhood as Grace West. We did not know that it was Grace that had been caught in the holocaust until we reached Camden from Charleston on the following evening, and we were so utterly unprepared for it that it seemed as if the shock was greater than that of any other single death, for she was reared, you may say, right under our eye. Every time we went to church we saw her. Every time we went to market we would see her when she was a bright little girl about her mother's knee, for our road to church and market passed by her father's home. She was the apple of her father's eye when a child and though he was the father of a large family, and all were loved and respected and were worthy of all honor, it seemed as if Grace was the angel of the home. She had carried her winsome ways and Christian character into womanhood, and even in death, she seemes to shine more brightly, for she left an imperishable impress upon those who knew her most intimately, and they are the one- who loved her most. She was a most devout Christian and she was a sister of Mr. Shell West, who lost his life at the same time; also Mr. L. M. West, who lost two bright girls, and Mrs. J. E. Rush, who lost a bright boy, Jack; Mrs. Anderson of Hampton, S.C., who was so well and favorably known as Miss Annie West; Mr. Walter West, Dr. Carl A. West, and Troy West, all of whom are bringing honor to their alma mater, Cleveland. This is one of the largest and most honorable family connections in Kershaw County.

Chapter 14

We did not realize that we knew this estimable lady until we were at the station awaiting the train that was to take us back to Charleston, when our good friend, Mr. Gus Lollis, who was Mrs. Campbell's father, told us that it was the same dear little woman who, as a girl, had assisted her grandmother, Mrs. William Lollis, in waiting on the guests at the Lollis House, where we, with many others, were often served toothsome meals, while in attendance upon court as a juror or in town on business at meal time. Now she is being served by a heavenly host, and no more will we eat at the same table till we, too, shall cross the bar. We sorrow with the husband and with the father and all the rest that knew and loved her. We are sorry that we did not know Mr. Storey Campbell's daughter, but we knew Stoney; we knew his father before him, and we knew all of his brothers, if not by name, we knew them by the family resemblance. They were such fine fellows we are glad we can sympathize with them, for just three years ago a darling boy was tragically snatched from our own home and our own heart.

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Chapter 18

Mrs. Walter Davis and children.

Leaving the old home place, where we romped and played and worked in our boyhood days, we first came to the home of Uncle Ashmore McLeod, where the afternon before the fire, B. G. McLeod, his wife and little child were happy in the contemplation of what life held in store for them, but the morning after the home was closed and it was sad to pass it by and no one there to greet you, no one to feed the chickens, who were sauntering about as if in search of Eva; and there sat the rocking chair on the front porch just as she had left it on the fatal night. Out about the barnyard there was no one to feed the hogs or look after the cows and mules, and a look of desolation was everywhere in evidence. A few hundred yards away was Miller McLeod's place, having no one to open unto you the door that always stood ajar for a friend, and that was sad. But about 400 feet from that spot we were to meet a sadder picture still.

For here Walter Davis had spent many years in building up a beautiful home, years he had spent in toil for those he loved, and now he had been called home to find it vacant of his devoted wife, a sweet Christian woman, and without guile, and three sweet children swallowed up in the flames.

Well the agony of soul through which our neighbor and kinsman was passing is beyond description and also beyond comprehension, except to those who have passed through like sorrow. There was his fine Duroc hogs. There was his poultry. There were fine cows, fresh in milk. There were the beautiful flowers in the yard, on the porch, everywhere. There were the things about the house placed in order by the deft hand of his own dear wife, and there the tracks of his own dear children. He had recently gone to a tuberculosis hospital for treatment, and how could he stand the strain to his physical strength as well as the weight that was pressing down upon his very soul? Did you ever hear a man cry whose soul was in deep anguish? Well, we heard it on the morning of our visit to this home, that the day before was happy, but now desolate, and disconsolate, for no words were able to console him and it was a full day before he could see how he could leave the spot made hallowed by the work and walk of his bosom companion and the prattle and companionship of his children and the flowers and things so fragrant with the aroma of spring, and yet sweeter still, with the association of loved ones now no more. But he overcame it in due time and before we returned to our home in the City by the Sea he was wending his way back to the place where a hope was held out that some day he might be well again, but with a hope that was brighter and sweeter still that some day he would be reunited to those whom fate had torn asunder, and the two bright children who had been bereft of a faithful mother were placed in the home of a brother, W. S. Davis, of Columbia, where they will be cared for as best they can. But there can be no one to take the place in their little lives that was so well filled by their own dear mother, who in every good word and work was superb, and many besides the immediate friends will mourn the death of this good woman and her bright little lambs that Jesus has taken into his lap.

Chapter 19

This little girl we don't well remember, but we do remember the foster parents, and we know how devoted they have always been to those they seek to extend parental care to. Grace is just one of several that have been cared for in this good home, and any child bereft of parents, or even parents having more children than they can properly care for, the child of such a home would be fortunate to fall into the hands and home of Mr. and Mrs. F. H. Arrants. They always took great delight in the religious as well as the secular training of their foster children, and also took great interest in the educational facilities of the community. We feel sure that the hearts of both bled with sorrow, .not only for the loss of Grace, but for the others as well, and out of a heartfelt sympathy, we express the hope that they coin see the hand of God in it all.

CHAPTER 20

She was known to us all as Miss Kate Brown, and a beautiful and dutiful girl she was. We know she made Bob, as we called him, a faithful helpmate. When we began to stroll around Camden the first morning of our visit after the fire, we saw a car dash by and a brother of Robert was driving the car and Robert sat on the rear seat. We came near not recognizing him at first, so changed was his countenance from the ordeal through which he was passing, but as soon as we saw it was "Bob" his features soon looked natural to us, and we could only say that we were so sorry for him and shed a tear of grief, for Bob and Kate were both friends that we prized very highly, and we feel sure Bob will get comfort from the thought that a bright and beautiful character has appeared spotless before God.

CHAPTER 21

Emily Trapp, eleven, and Vera, nine, were sweet little daughters of Mr. and Mrs. D. S. Trapp who were born and reared in the Antioch section of Kershaw County, a few miles east of Cleveland, Mr. Trapp is now a prominent business man of Camden and Mrs. Trapp, who before her marriage to Mr. Trapp, was Miss Cora Davis, who is closely related to the Smith and Davis families that are so numerous thruout this whole section of South Carolina and have done much for its development. United States Senator E. D. Smith is a relative of Mrs. Trapp. We were very fond of Mr. Trapp's brothers and only sister when we attended the old Gum Spring School together as well as church and Sunday school and all of these are making good in the world, the brothers as business men in Camden, and the good sister as the wife and home maker for our good friend, Ex. Supt. of Education 1. J. McKenzie, who is now also a leading business man of Camden. We heard-a friend of the family remark that they were the most pleasing children she had ever known, and we did not think it strange for they had inherited a jovial disposition from their fond parents, and even their grand parents before them were pleasing to meet and to greet.

CHAPTER 22

Jesse was a six-year-old lad when we saw him last, but now he would have been 13 the Thursday following the fire. When we drove up to the house where Jesse's mother was and where the other children were, Clyburn, Alzora and the rest, the father of Jesse had walked over the way to a brother's house, but was soon on the sopt, for the loss of Jesse had been just as terrible a blow to these fond parents and these sisters and brothers as had been the blow to the other afflicted ones of the community. It was one of the redeeming features of the situation that each family in ahe community could deeply sympathize with every other family, and thus, it seemed that each other' burdens were lightened as their sympathies: were extended those in like circumstances. Well, Jesse was a bright little man, and has uncles, aunts, cousins, friends aplenty to mourn his goings It comes very near home to us for his father was wife's uncle and all the family connections were dear friends to us. Many times has Jesse's grandfather come over and spent the day with us, often spending the night as well. We recall that on a very windy February night the howling of the wind kept sleep from his brow and he would call occasionally to us and express wonder that we could sleep in the midst of such howling wind.

Jesse and his people are related to U. S. Senator Smith, and the late Bishop Coke Smith, and has other relatives scattered over the state and elsewhere to mourn his death.

Chapter 23

We remember very little about these children, but we visited the afflicted home, where the father was unable to walk, with a large burn on his back, and Boykin McCaskill, brother, was crippled badly by the jump from the window of the second floor. Here we talked with the grief stricken father and uncles of the children, and we know they were all well nigh heartbroken by the tragedy that had not escaped this home, erected by the grandfather of the children when we were a little tot, forty or more years ago. Here we met several friends of the loaig ago that had come to offer sympathy and lend a helping hand and here we were mingling with those who helped to make our boyhood joyeous, for we were reared just across the creek and could hear Alex, Sam, Murdock and Kenneth sing their morning songs as they plowed the fields in the early part of the newborn day, and with them, rode the goats, wexnt to school and in swimming and to see the girls together. They all made stalwart men and men to make the community proud of them. The grandfather of the children, now long gone to his reward, seems more a true man than ever, as our memory reverts to him, as it constantly does.

Alex, the oldest of the boys, and C. K., the youngest, have remained on the old home place and added to it other tracts, till now they have a large estate, some in Lee county, while Sam and Murdock moved to Camden, where they have been in business for many years, Sam in the shoe business and Murdock has been treasurer of Kershaw for many years and just started on a new term, to which he was elected last summer.

The eldest sister died recently, after' having reared quite a family, and Janie anti Lou and Mary complete the list of those reared in the home made desolate by the absence of these dear children, that had for a few years brightened and gladdened it, and where the little things that they wore, little toys that they used at play, and the little tracks that they made, will constantly remind them that these voices that they loved are stilled and their clatter and chatter will be heard no more.

Chapter 24

When our mother was having her last illness, over three years ago, Ima passed by her home each day on her way to school, and she always wanted to know how Aunt Laura was and when mother thought of what she wanted done with her faithful old buggy horse, Mary, she said to Ima's mother, whom she knew would be kind to the old animal, that she was hers.

Ima was a very bright 17-year-old girl, and when we visited the afflicted home we heard of her heroic efforts to save herself and save her little brother, but finding it impossible to extricate herself and save the boy, too, she forced the boy through a small opening that remained at the top of the pile of humanity, and thus saved his life. But a that, the child's arms were burned to a crisp to its elbows and the mother of Ima saved her own life by jumping from the upstairs window, but was crippled and possibly otherwise injured for life. But here we found a stern determination to bestow upon those left behind all the loving care and training to make of them useful men and women. Ima was a niece of M. L. and B. G. McLeod and grand-niece of M. B. McLeod, who were also burned to death in this disaster, mention of whom has already been made.

CHAPTER 25

This lady was a bridesmaid at our wedding twenty-five years ago. Not very long afterward she changed her name from Miss Florida Thompson to Mrs. Brown, and four sweet children had blessed her home, and now three of these are left motherless, and Willie is bereft of his bosom companion.

The reader might think we exaggerate when we speak of these dear friends, but we have never seen a community so filled with unselfish folks, and folks worthy of an abler pen than ours to picture the loftiness of character and largeness of soul of those that perished in those flames, and we feel sure that these good folks have suffered all the burning ever to be meted out to them.

Mrs. Thomson lost a sister and her husband and two of their children, all on the same farm, seven in all. But here, too, are some left to love and cheer the faiting heart of father and to be loved and cared for by him.

Chapter 26

Mr. Davis was such a jovial fellow and his wife so good natured that you would have to hunt a long time to find a couple better fitted to travel life's road together. They were just such father and mother from whom you would expect to find just such a boy as Thompson Davis proved himself to be on the morning when he made the heroic statement that he would do what he could to take the place of father and mother who perished in the flames with two of their bright little ones, and had left five orphan children, and he the largest, only in his teens. Mrs. Davis, nee Miss Hallie Thompson, was a very dutiful girl, even tempered and kind to all, and always ready to do her part in every good work; came from sturdy parents, used to the hard life, and her mother still lives, though feeble, and will be there in the home, almost helpless, to look after the children as best she can, and by the Providence of God to arrange things that an uncle of the children will be there to look after

their interests as well as an aunt, Miss Lottie, who married Mr. Quinly of Chester, but he died in January. They had no children.

Chapter 27

Coroner Dixon and daughter, Clara (Dixon). Mr. Dixon had been coroner for many years, and held this office at the time of his death. He was known all over Kershaw County and though stooped by the drawing of muscular rheumatism, was always pleasant to meet, and he always exercised cool judgment in emergencies. We remember once having been drawn on a coroner's jury to place the crime of the murder of a woman in sight of our farm. We had put the suspect under arrest before the arrival of the officers, and had tied him to keep him from escaping, but upon arrival of the coronor we turned the supect over to the designated person and it was less than five before the suspect jerked loose from the officer and made a break for the swamp a half mile away. But he was captured and brought back, the guilt placed at his door and finally convicted and electrocuted. The coronor was as calm as if nothing was happening. We tried to visit him when we were in the community, and he seemed to always appreciate our coming, and the last visit we made there, more than two years ago, we remember what a bright, sweet girl Clara was, who at the time of her death was blooming into young womanhood, with every promise of a bright future before her. But alas, her mother is left without a girl child and without her devoted husband, and we sorrow with her as we do also with the three dear boys who have lost their only sister and the father of them all.

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CHAPTER 28

Mrs. L. T. Dixon and two children.

Here we are to chronicle the death of another patient mother, loving wife, and friendly neighbor. Many times have we been in her home, and never have we found her out of sorts, or crabbed or cross. She had a large family and most of them girls, and they were always sent to school and to church neatly and nicely dressed. Refinement was in her face and in her manners, and we are proud that we had the privilege to cheer her on her way as her tasks seemed hard, and we feel sure that on the day before this fateful night she had worn herself almost to exhaustion making preparations for her bright children to appear in their proper role in the play and properly dressed as they always were. Mrs. Dixon was the daughter of Mr. T. W. Brown, an old Confederate soldier now in his 78th year, and who lost another daughter, Mrs. R. L. McCaskill, one daughter-in-law, Mrs. W. L. Brown, and four grandchildren.

This, in truth, was the only place we wanted to stay, for here there seemed to be need beyond anywhere we had been. There, on one farm, had occurred eleven deaths in a night, and every crop on the place needed attention right now, and as these folks did most of their own work, the need seemed appalling. It was at least appealing, and the need of comfort was far more urgent than the call for material or physical aid. L. T. Dixon said it in a way that left no doubt that he craved human sympahty and human companionship far beyond his need of physical or material aid, and above all, he craved the solace that comes alone from God.

CHAPTER 29

Mrs. Dixon was the daughter of Mrs. James Burgis and a niece of Mrs. Wesley Hendrix. When we moved from the neighborhood seven years ago they had just married, and now they had a family of three children, and now Lem is left with only one child. Lem himself is disconsolate, for even as school children, he and Teresa were very for A of each other. In fact, we have heard it remarked that he rarely said anything to a person at school except to her, and that she rarely conversed with anyone except Lem. So it is no wonder that his mind is dazed, his heart broken, and his soul crushed, when they had known each other for eight years in the sweetest of all earthly relations, that of man and wife, and 'o add to that the loss of two darling children, that were as dear to him as any of ours ever were to us, was enough to utterly crush one's spirit, except it can take hold of a higher power.

Her aged grandfather and auntie live just across the branch and they, too, will miss her, and her father and mother will sorely miss her, for she was the only child of the home for a number of years. But finally there came another to bless it, and but for this fact, the loss would be the sadder still, and the little child is left motherless and the home is desolate under any circumstance with mother gone, not to return.

Just at this writing we don't recall who it was that Shafter married, but Shafter was the son, we believe the only son, of L. T. Dixon, who lost so heavily of kin in the fire. Shafter not only lost his only child, but wife as well, and you can imagine how lonely he feels if you have ever been through a like experience, but not otherwise. Shafter was one of our bright Sunday school boys several years ago, and now he has grown to be a useful man to the community, and much sympathy is felt for him, as he had to share so heavily in the toll of life made by the Cleveland fire, where he had received his education, and now he is left without either wife or child to comfort and cheer him in his lonely condition.

Chapter 30

We only knew this child in infancy, but had known its mother and father since they were little ones and they were near neighbors to us, when we moved to ,Sumter seven years ago. These good friends are living on the same farm now. Mr. Godwin is the overseer of the Dunlap place for Dr. Brasington of Camden, and the doctor values him very highly. They both are highly regarded for their real worth.

In this connection it many not be out of place to mention the heroic work of Dr. Brasington, for whom Cleveland Godwin worked, in handling the crisped bodies of the dead, and itis said that he handled nearly every one of the vast number, digging them out of the hot coals and ashes and rolling them in white sheets and preparing them for burial. This was a herculean task and called for heroism as well as physical endurance beyond the ordinary to accomplish such a feat almost alone.

Chapter 31

These were bright girls, one 13 years of age arid the other 8.

We were shown their pictures, recently taken, and they were beautiful of face and perfect of figures. The beautiful flowers that adorned the room was only emblematical of that purity of life beholden in the .face and features of the tivo, And these only faintly represented those girlish virtues found in this pious country home. Mr. and Mrs. Sowell reside at the old homestead of his father, Mr. B. F. Sowell, who about twenty years ago purchased the old Truesdel place and soon made of it one of the model country homes of Kershaw county, not only in its outward appearance, but also in its inward purity, and now he has passed to his reward and these two were rearing a family worthy o fth egood name borne by the large family connections throughout Kershaw county and there were, no hearts made sadder by this terrible disaster than these faithful parents' hearts were, and deserving of deeper sympathy.

Dan was superintendent of the Beulah Sunday school, where lie buried not only his own dear children, but many of those who from Sunday to Sunday he was trying to pilot to a higher and more serviceable life, and we dobut if any one in the whole community suffered deeper grief than he and his faithful wife, who was ever ready to join her husband in every good work.

Chapter 32

Ora Belle Hinson, eleven and J. C. Hinson, nine, were children of Mr. and Mrs. James Hinson and these friends have- a very wide connection thruout Kershaw couny and especially in the West Wateree Section. They had moved into the Cleveland community as much for the educational advantages as any other, and the Hinsons were noted far and wide for their industry and frugality and were fond of attending to their own business and they have the sympathy of a host of friends in the loss of these very bright lights in the home. Little Frank Hinson was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Hughey Hinson and was a first cousin of the other two just mentioned and was just as dear to the heart of his fond parents as were those of any of the victims, and we share their grief as do many others thruout Kershaw county.

Chapter 33

The mother of this girl was named for our own mother, and was mother's niece, and had spent many days in our home when we were children, or young folks together. We knew Ellen's father intimately and we are sorry that it was not so that we could remain long enough to go out to Luncknow to see them in their great sorrow. But the fact that Ellen's mother was named Laura is enough to make us drop a tear of sympathy, and at the same time let our heart break forth in praise to the Lord that doeth all things well.

Chapter 34

Miss Addeline McCaskill, one of the fire victims, was a daughter of Johnnie and Ada (Boykin) McCaskill, and was the bright teacher of the McLeod school, a few miles distant, and was accompanied to the Cleveland school that fateful night by Dunnie Truesdale, who also perished in the flames.

This lady, it is said, escaped from the building and returned like a heroine, to the burning building to help in the rescue of others, and she was engulfed in the flames.

The ring that she wore, that was awarded for merit at her graduation from the Camden high school three years ago, was found in the ashes a week later, and this was turned over to her fond parents as a memento of the awful tragedy that has snatched their bright daughter from them, to be greeted no more in this earthly tabernacle. This lady was only about twenty years of age, and was quite a favorite wherever she was known.

CHAPTER 35

The daughter of Wade and Victoria: Wade died the death of a hero, for it is said that the little child of Mr. and Mrs. Cleveland Godwin, who was burned to death, was found clasped in the arms of this faithful nurse.

Wade and Victoria had done many faithful days' labor for the writer, and we are glad to say this word as a consolation to them.

CHAPTER 36

Willie Jeter Johnson, son of Rev. J. Jeter Johnson, Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Camden was a bright manly boy of eleven years of age. His father was the main speaker of the evening, and while the family had not long been residents of Camden having recently come from Virginia, they had made a warm place in the hearts of the community, and certainly this faithful

minister of righteousness and his devoted family will be borne up in their deep distress, to the unfailing source of comfort that he has so often pointed others to.

CHAPTER 37

This bright young lady was just sixteen years of age and lived near Kershaw, S. C., and had come with a party of friends to the entertainment where some of her family connections were to take part, for she had a large family connection thruout the county and we knew many of them most pleasantly and the name of Bowers, West, Sowell, Hough, Horton and others are so intertwined as to inhabit the whole Buffalo section of Kershaw County with as fine manhood and womanhood as that of any section of South Carolina., and when the sad news was spread that Miss Fannie Bowers was no more, many souls were bowed in grief.

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