Fire Guts Administrative Building at Jackson Training School, Sept. 12, 1922

Building at Training School Is Burned Up. . . Administration Building at Jackson Training School Is Destroyed by Fire

Concord, Sept. 8—Fire of undetermined origin early this morning destroyed the administration building of the Stonewall Jackson Manual Training and Industrial school, the state home of correction for boys, located several miles southwest of Concord. The fire was discovered about 2:30 o’clock and burned until after 6 o’clock when practically the entire interior of the structure had been gutted by the flames.

About a dozen persons were sleeping in the building when the fire was discovered, one of the sleepers being aroused by the smoke. All of the sleepers escaped, saving some of their clothing and other effects. The fire was confined to the attic when first discovered, but it quickly spread to all parts of the building, and though heroic efforts were made to check it, it was halted only after the entire interior had been gutted. Only the walls are standing today.

Jesse Fisher, one of the instructors at the school, and 10 matrons were sleeping in the building. Each saved something, but no one save everything. Most of the office furniture was also saved, the vault and its contents burning structure. (??)

As the fire started in the attic, it is believed it was caused by defective wiring.

From the front page of The Cleveland Star, Shelby, N.C., Sept. 12, 1922