POWELL, Kevin
Source: Covington Friend Wednesday, Jan. 4, 1978
Covington - Bids will be opened here Friday for construction of a proposed $630,000 Fountain County Jail that could be opened within 18 months after contracts are awarded. Fountain Auditor Lillian Flora said the bidding process will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the county courthouse. Contracts will be awarded for general construction, mechanical work and electrical work.
And according to County Commissioner Robert Janeway, barring any unforseen delays, the proposed 21-prisoner lock-up could be opened by late Spring, 1979. Fountain County has been without a jail since August 1976 when its landmark 106-year-old red brick structure was closed by court order. Since then, prisoners have been housed for a $12 per day fee at the Montgomery County Jail, Crawfordsville. The old jail, at 216 Union St was the scene of a demolition accident Dec 29 when several walls and ceilings caved in on two construction workers during demolition of the building. Kevin Powell, 16, Covington, son of Jack Powell whose construction firm was contracted to raze the jail, died of massive head and internal injuries. Another worker, David Spear, 26, Covington was listed in "good" condition today at St. Elizabeth's Hospital, Danville, Ill with ankle and jaw injuries. The pair was buried under tons of brick and stone rubble in the accident. Plans for the new jail, to be built on the site of the old one, cleared a final hurdle last fall when Fountain commissions and county councilmen approved project plans.
A 16-year-old youth was crushed to death and another man was injured critically Thursday when portions of the roof and walls of the condemned Fountain County Jail collapsed during demolition work.
Killed was Kevin Powell, R.R. 1, Covington. He was an employee of Jack Powell Construction Co., owned by his father.
Another employee, David Spear, 26, R.R. 1, Covington, suffered head, chest and leg injuries and was taken to St. Elizabeth Hospital at Danville, Ill., where he was listed in critical condition.
State Police said both victims were trapped more than a half hour before they were freed from the rubble.
State Police said the west wall of the century-old structure already had been torn down and the two victims were working on the second floor, attaching cables, when portions of the roof and other walls collapsed.
Fountain County Jail prisoners have been housed in Montgomery County Jail at Crawfordsville since the jail was condemned for use.
Kevin Lee Powell was born January 30, 1961 at Danville, Ill. and died Thursday, December 29, 1977, the son of Jack L. and Roberta Townsend Powell. He is survived by his father and stepmother of R. 1, Covington; two brothers, Clifford and Todd, one sister Jacqueline, all at home; also paternal grandmother, Mrs. Susie Powell of R. 1, Covington; maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Townsend of Danville, Ill.; half brother, Stephen Powell of Hawaii; half sister, Vicki Fleming of California; step brother, Michael Culp of Danville, Ill.; 15 aunts and 5 uncles. He was preceded in death by his mother and paternal grandfather.
Kevin was a life resident of Covington, Route 1. He had been a sophomore at Covington High School and had played football in Junior High. He attended the First Church of Christ. – thanks to S
Source: Lafayette Journal and Courier Thursday 5 January 1978 p 10
Covington - Bids will be opened here Friday for construction of a proposed $630,000 Fountain County Jail that could be opened within 18 months after contracts are awarded. Fountain Auditor Lillian Flora said the bidding process will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the county courthouse. Contracts will be awarded for general construction, mechanical work and electrical work.
And according to County Commissioner Robert Janeway, barring any unforseen delays, the proposed 21-prisoner lock-up could be opened by late Spring, 1979. Fountain County has been without a jail since August 1976 when its landmark 106-year-old red brick structure was closed by court order. Since then, prisoners have been housed for a $12 per day fee at the Montgomery County Jail, Crawfordsville. The old jail, at 216 Union St was the scene of a demolition accident Dec 29 when several walls and ceilings caved in on two construction workers during demolition of the building. Kevin Powell, 16, Covington, son of Jack Powell whose construction firm was contracted to raze the jail, died of massive head and internal injuries. Another worker, David Spear, 26, Covington was listed in "good" condition today at St. Elizabeth's Hospital, Danville, Ill with ankle and jaw injuries. The pair was buried under tons of brick and stone rubble in the accident. Plans for the new jail, to be built on the site of the old one, cleared a final hurdle last fall when Fountain commissions and county councilmen approved project plans.
The jail will feature a rectangular, one-floor lock-up of "block construction with brick facing," and include separate facilities for adult and juvenile male and female prisoners.
A prisoner's exercise area is also included but separate sheriff's living quarters were eliminated from plans in a cost-cutting measure.