Flames Take Lives Shortly
After Arrest for Drinking
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The Dead Are Forrest Crouse, Henry Abernethy
and Wilson Hewitt, All of the Bandy's Section.
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ORIGIN UNKNOWN
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Men Are Burned Beyond Recognition When
Entry is Gained Into Cell; Fire Discovered About 9:30
Saturday Night.
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MAIDEN -- Three Catawba county men burned to death about 9:15 Saturday night in a fire that suddenly transformed Maiden's dingy jail quarter into a blazing inferno where they had been incarcerated about one hour before on charges of drunkenness. The dead are Henry Abernethy, 21, Wilson Avery Hewitt, 21, and Forrest Crouse, 25. Abernethy and Hewitt resided with their parents about five miles east of Maiden near Oliver's Crossroads. Crouse was a young married man and was employed at the Union Cotton Mills where he lived.

The men were arrested separately by Chief of police, W. L. Strutt and night policeman, H. S. Reeves in front of the Carolina Theatre when they became disorderly. The jail was located in the rear of the first floor of the city hall where they were locked in a single cell, and were left unguarded. When rescuers reached the bodies, they were burned beyond recognition and could only be identified by their height. Before the alarm was given several witnesses heard the imprisoned men cry for help, but paid no attention to the cries thinking they were only disorderly. A woolen blanket, two chairs, and a steel cot constituted the jail's only furnishings The inside of the jail was the only part of the hall that was badly damaged. Rescuers found the boys huddled in one corner of the jail and the flames had eaten through the floor and one side of the wall. The alarm was given about 9:15, but in all probability the prisoners were dead at that time.

R. L. Washburn, Catawba county coroner, summoned a jury of six men Saturday night to view the charred bodies of the boys and a formal inquest was set for Thursday, February 14, at 7:30 P.M. The jurymen selected were: A.B. Withers, D.H. Thorne, T.H. Caldwell, A.C. Black, and David Gaither, Newton.

Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at 4:30 o'clock for Abernethy, who was the son of Mr. and Mrs. (Bud) Phillip Abernethy and is survived by his parents and the following brothers and sisters: Martin Abernethy, Oliver's Crossroads, Mattie Abernethy, at home and Logan Abernethy, Newton.

The services were held from Mt. Rhuhama Baptist church, conducted by the pastor. Interment was in the church cemetery.

Obsequies were held for Wilson Avery Hewitt, twin son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Washburn Hewitt Monday morning at eleven o'clock at St. Paul's Methodist church. He is survived by his parents and the following brothers and sisters, Caleph Hewitt, Martisville, Va., Webb Hewitt, Newton, Preston hewitt, Misses Pinkie, Margaret, and Marjorie Hewitt at home.

Services were conducted by the pastor and interment was in the church cemetery.

Funeral services were held Monday morning at ten o'clock for Forrest Crouse, son of Mr. and Mrs. Mack Crouse. The services were conducted at East Maiden Baptist church and interment was in the Maiden cemetery. He is survived by his wife, who before marriage was Miss Alda Drum of the place, and two small children, Darrell and Mickie, and the following brothers and sisters: Guy Crouse, Woodrow Crouse, Hall Crouse, Glenn Crouse, and Miss Virginia Crouse.

Article from The Catawba News Enterprise - Tuesday, February 12, 1935