Camden, S.C., May 21—The death list in the Cleveland school house fire of last Thursday night today had been increased to 77 with two more placed on the doubtful list. Tracing down of rumors yesterday by Sheriff G.C. Welsh of Kershaw county resulted in the announcement that Ellen Barnes of Lucknow and Fannie Bowers of Kershaw undoubtedly perished in the fire that followed the falling of the oil lamp on the stage during a play at the school.
Reports were current here that a Miss Blackman and Miss Thorne, both of the Thorne Hill section of this county, had attended the play and had not been heard of since. This is a remote and inaccessible part of the county and a more thorough search was planned today to definitely ascertain their fate.
Ellen Barnes, according to statements made by the sheriff, went to the play with her brother, Frank. He escaped and made his way home. Relatives saw the girl in the burning building but could not save her.
Fannie Bowers went to the play with members of the Dixon family, 12 of whom were lost. Relatives saw her in the burning building but were unable to make their way to her. Her mother has been unconscious ever since the fire.
From the front page of The Wilson Times, May 22, 1923
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