Camden, S.C., May 18—Kershaw county today counted the cost of the fire that last night destroyed the Cleveland school eight miles from here. Seventy known dead, men, women and children, and two missing, together with the dozens more seriously injured were being counted this morning. Five injured are being cared for in a Camden hospital.
The exact number of injured could not be ascertained this morning, attention being given to the injured and identification and care of the bodies of the dead. Eye witnesses to the horrible (scene) today still were so badly shaken that but few could talk of it. The blaze, which in some instances wiped out entire families, leaving none to care for the dead, started near the close of the comedy, “Topsy Turvy,” being presented by the senior class of the school as a part of its commencement exercises.
The bracket on which hung a lamp over the stage gave way. The lamp fell to the stage and exploded. Burning oil splashed over the stage, igniting flimsy draperies.
Men, women and children made a rush for the single exit from the room. The scene according to persons present was indescribable. Mothers with babies in their arms were trampled under foot. Cooler heads attempted to quell the panic without avail.
Then the stairway collapsed, hurling the mass into the lower floor, pinning many under the screaming, squirming mass. Some were pinned by the falling timbers. Mothers trapped on the second floor hurled their children to safety in eagerly awaiting arms of persons who had escaped and then fell back into the flames, giving their lives that their children might live.
Men who made their way out of the building returned when they saw the situation and endeavored to rescue the injured and imperiled. Some of these died in the flames.
The fire spread so rapidly, however, that little could be done after the first rush. The little wooden building burned rapidly and in a short time little was left but a pile of ashes in which lay the bodies of scores.
This morning all but two of the persons known to be in the building had been accounted for. Seventy-one bodies had been extricated from the ruins and search was continuing for trace of two young men. The majority of the homes in Kershaw county and many throughout the state were touched by the fire. In Camden fairly half of the business houses were closed and many homes displayed crape.
The American Red Cross headquarters this morning telegraphed the mayor of Camden that nurses and doctors were being assembled there prepared to extend all aid needed. They were notified that no aid was needed.
Governor McLeod of Columbia notified officials that his secretary Edward A. McDowell was being sent as his personal representative.
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Camden, S.C., May 18—Deaths in the Cleveland schoolhouse fire at 11:15 this morning stood at 73, with one person missing according to a corrected list made public at that hour. The body of Donnie Truesdale, listed as missing, was identified during the morning.
The body of the son of Hughey Hinson had previously listed among the dead also was found.
Eyewitnesses said today that a number of the men who perished lost their lives in heroic efforts to save others. In some instances they won their way to safety but on learning of the desperate situation inside the burning building, returned in an effort to save women and children. Identification of the bodies is a difficult task as almost all were burned so badly that only through keepsakes and bits of clothing could their identity be established. One man was identified by an automobile switch key and another by a belt buckle.
From page 3 of The Wilson Times, May 22, 1923
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