Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 May 1902 — FIRE IN PONTIAC CELLHOUSE [ARTICLE]

FIRE IN PONTIAC CELLHOUSE

Coolness of Officials Averts Panic Among the 300 Inmates. Pontiac, 111., dispatch: A disastrous fire at the Illinois state reformatory destroyed the north cellhouse block, which was supposed to be the strongest and best of its kind in America. There were over 300 inmates in the cellhouse when the fire broke out and panic was averted only by the timely assistance of officers who were ofT duty. The inmates were immediately rushed to the Bouth cellhouse and for a time it seemed as if this too would be burned and company F was called to quarters in case its assistance would be needed.