The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-02-02
CHILDREN BURNED.
Lost Lives When Residence Burned
Near Campobello- Attempt at
Rescue Failed.

dren of Walter J. Gibson perished in
the flames, and a fourth was fatally
burned when his home, three miles
from Campobello, was burned down
at l O'Clock this morning in his alb
sence. A fourth child was saved
through the courage of a neighbor,
but received burns which caused hi;
death.
The dead:
Hugh Gibson, Is years old; Annie
Thomas Gibson, a years old; Laura
Gibson, 10 years Cd; James Gibson,
eight years old.
Walter J. Gibson, a prominent far
mer and former member of the leg
islature, went to Greenville Saturday
On account Of the death of P. D. Gil
reath, a kinsman, leaving the four
children alone at home. Their moth
er died several years ago and their
StepmOther last WluteE.
The children spent Sunday with
their sister, Mrs. Clinton Rainey, who
lives about a mile away. They re-
turned home at 10 o'clock The house
WAS 8 large twa+stors frame building
sf nine TOOLS. The children were all
accustomed TO- sleep up stairsSabut it
is believed; Hugh the. eadests@ either
went to bed down stairs Sunday night
or started toS-do so, as the cover of
his fathers bed on the first floor was
later observed to have been" turned
down and part of Hugh's clothing was
found lying On a chair by the. bed.
Tried to Save Them.
It is thought likely that after the
fire was discovered he ran up stairs
to save his sisters and brother-only
to die himself.
How the fire originated is not
known, but it is supposed a coal fell
from a crate.
About 1 o'clock the attention of
neishbors was attracted to the flames.
When they reached the scene the Glib
SOL home was already roaring mass
Of fire.
Amid the cracking of the flames
was heard the screaming Of the chill
dren, whose figures were soon de-
scribed in the lurid glare trapped on
the upper floor and running frantl-
cally hithec and thither in vain
search Of escape.
The horror-stlicken onlookers were
helpless. Belton Reid, at the great
risk of his own life, undertook to res
cue the children. As he dashed into
the house, James Gibson, the young
est child, fell through hole in the
upper floor. Mr.. Reid lifted the child
up, extinguished the fire On his cloth
ang and carried him to his own home
nearby. James wore a suit of wool
en- underwear and it is believed be
started to dress after waking, and
finding the house on fire, stopping to
dress, may have caused the death OF
the other children.
Died at Night.
The little boy, terribly burned, re-
NAMED at the home of Mr.. Reid all
day today, attended by DR.. Burgess, OF
Campobe1lo, and DR.. J. R. Gibson, OF
Inman, an uncle. He died tonight.
No attempt was made to gain any in
formation from him concerning the
fire..
A few minutes after Mr.. Reid's res
cue of James Gibson, the sagglng
walls of the house collapsed, the root
fell in, and the bodies of three other
children, whose cries had by this time
ceased, dropped into the ruins, while
sparks and burning brands were show
cred around for many yards. The fire
did it's work quickly, and as dawn
broke the cold rain made it possible
to explore the smoking ruins. Within
few feet of each other were found
three charred bodies. They were car
ried to the home Of a relative.
The funeral will be held at GoWans-
vile church at II o'clock tomorrow
morning. The service will be con
Quoted by the pastor, the Rev. W "
Jones.
At an early hour yesteHda5 morn
ing communication was established
with Mr.. Gibson in Greenyille by tee
phone and the news was broken tc
him.
n