Difference between revisions of "Jay Prison Camp"
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(New page: The '''Jay Prison Camp''' was a former World War II barrack building in Berrydale near Jay that was converted to house prison inmates serving in [[Wikipedia:Chain gang|chain ga...) |
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The '''Jay Prison Camp''' was a former [[World War II]] barrack building in [[Berrydale]] near [[Jay]] that was converted to house prison inmates serving in [[Wikipedia:Chain gang|chain gangs]]. | The '''Jay Prison Camp''' was a former [[World War II]] barrack building in [[Berrydale]] near [[Jay]] that was converted to house prison inmates serving in [[Wikipedia:Chain gang|chain gangs]]. | ||
| − | On [[July 16]], [[1967]], a fire broke out inside the 40-by-90-foot building, believed to have been | + | On [[July 16]], [[1967]], a fire broke out inside the 40-by-90-foot building, believed to have been ignited during a riot between recently [[integrated]] black and white prisoners. The inferno quickly grew "tree-top high," and only 14 of the 51 inmates escaped the fiery building — one of whom died of burns later in the hospital. Nineteen bodies were discovered in the shower room huddled four feet high, and another sixteen were stacked under a barred window. |
[[Arnie O. Lovett]], one of the guards on duty during the fire, was later commended for his part in rescuing five inmates at great risk to himself. | [[Arnie O. Lovett]], one of the guards on duty during the fire, was later commended for his part in rescuing five inmates at great risk to himself. | ||
Latest revision as of 03:48, 16 July 2009
The Jay Prison Camp was a former World War II barrack building in Berrydale near Jay that was converted to house prison inmates serving in chain gangs.
On July 16, 1967, a fire broke out inside the 40-by-90-foot building, believed to have been ignited during a riot between recently integrated black and white prisoners. The inferno quickly grew "tree-top high," and only 14 of the 51 inmates escaped the fiery building — one of whom died of burns later in the hospital. Nineteen bodies were discovered in the shower room huddled four feet high, and another sixteen were stacked under a barred window.
Arnie O. Lovett, one of the guards on duty during the fire, was later commended for his part in rescuing five inmates at great risk to himself.
