The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-01-15
NEGROES CAUSED FIRE AT THE JAIL Coroner'S Jury Accuses Two of
 the Prisoners FOUR WOMEN IN PRISON City Council Holds Special Session to Provide Temporary Jail and to Plan Rebuilding of the Old
 Structure.
FOUR WOMEN IN PRISON

l Pratt City January 14-(special.)- )-As a result of the city jail fire. caused by two prisoners, early this morning in a desper- ate attempt to make their escape, one white man and three negroes are dead and three other negroes are in danger our condition.
 The fatalities are:
 Jack Kelly, white, age 60 years, married.
 George Kyle, colored, body burned to crisp.
 Charles Russell. ran half a mile and fell died this morning at o'clock, after giving testimony accusing Jim Smith and Will Young of having set fire to the prison.
 Jim Smith, alias Louis Anderson, col ored, died this afternoon at the county jail, where he had been taken on war rant charging him with arson
 Injured.
 Will Young, colored, charged with being implicated with firing the jail; carried to poorhouse; condition critical
 Frank chatield and John Wilson, eol- ored paroled and allowed to be carried to their homes; in serious condition.
 There were fifteen men and four women In the prison at the time the fire caught. All of these with the exception of the above named were unhurt All the pris- oners were recaptured.
 The jail is situated midway between the city hall and the waterworks It is a one-story structure built of wood. It
 
 used for male prisoners and two for fe- male prisoners. The two departments are seperated by a hall. Another hall d- vides the four male cells. The jail cells are stoutly built and 1t appears impos- sible for an occupant to escape by ordi- nary means. There Is no regular guard stationed at the jail, the night police man being required to make regular in- spection. They are also intrusted with the keys.
 Had Just Locked Kelly Up.
 This morning Night Officers Hartsf1eld and Harmon had just locked up Jack Kelly, whom they had found in a drunk en stupor, lying on the streets. They started to carry him home but his con dition was such that he could only be urged along with the greatest difficulty. AS protection to the unfortunate man he
 
 in the engine rooms of the water works when the prisoners gave the fire alarm. They ran out immediately, in company with Engineer Smart, unlocked the halls of the prison, and succeeded in getting open four of the cell doors.
 The opening of the doors gave draft to the flames, driving the brave officers back. They pressed forward again. in an attempt to unfasten the doors. The locks | lao bod xaya fhaf bn officers were unable to place their hands on them Axes were then procured and the work of cutting the captlves out was begun.
 The fire department responded to the call and in company with large number of citizens went bravely to work in att tempt to save the prisoners and extin- guish the flames. The fire was put out before it had totally destroyed the jail but three occupants of the jail were burn ed to death and before they could be res cued
 Mayor Hudnall. Dr. Lovelady, Dr. Stagg and Dr. Caraway were on the scene and with the other citizens worked hard to aid the sufferers.
 Coroner w. D. Paris was notified and came out early this morning and the following jury was empanelled: Jop Go- ing. T. l.. Stovall. John Angwine. c. w. Mcbride. Louis Allen and Forest Jack son. The coroner and jury made thor ough examination. All the prisoners who were able some of the city officials and a number of citizens were questioned. The examination consumed the entire day. The decision was that the men came 10 their death by fire which was caused by Jim Smith and Will Young
 Carried to Foley's.
 The dead were carried to Foley's under taking establishment, where they were prepare for burial All day stream or people has been pouring in and out 10 view the remains. Jack Kelly, the white man. who was burned to death, Is sup nosed to have been suffocated and died without struggle, as he was dead In ms bunk when the rescuers broke into ms cell. He was widely known In Pratt City' having been a conductor on the BIT mngham Southern. He has recently been employed as a brakeman He was well thought of and considered an excellent railroad man. Kelly's funeral will take nlace tomorrow afternoon at o'clock
 Every attention has been shown the h. iured AS well as the dead. Mayor Hudnal says that all the dead will be given re- spectable burial. Chief Phillips has oeen m all day and is seeing that the injured are receiving every attention. It has been many days snce Pratt City has had as much excitement. All day | crowds of people have visited the ruins l of the city jail and Sam Foley's place. The council met in special session to- night. A committee. composing Alderman | Culpepper, Kirk and Collins, was ap' pointed to arrange for temporary jail The mayor. Aldermen Lovelady and Lacy were, appointed to submit plans for re- building the city Jail.