Breaks School burned early in 1906 - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Charred Ruins All that is left of the Breaks Consolidated School valued at $13,000 Belief that it was set afire strengthened by tracks leading from school toward town. Fire of incendiary origin that was not discovered until four this morning completely destroyed Union Township school house no. 38, known as the Breaks school and located just east of the Roberts Chapel. About 6 miles from Crawfordsville, The loss is $13,000 covered by $9,000 insurance on the building and $800 on the furniture and contents. That the torch was applied to the building by some fire fiend seems to be established beyond a doubt. There had been no fire in the building since the close of school Monday, April 2. Furthermore a man's tracks were found leading from the school yard and were accurately traced to Brunner Hill just northwest of town. There all trace was lost ads the man left the road then. All the way from the the school house he had walked down the middle of the road and frequently, it was found by his track, he had turned and looked back in the direction of the school evidently to see if the flames he had kindled were doing their work, The fire was discovered by farmers of the neighborhood at about the same time, shortly before four o'clock. Messrs. Herron, Stout and Cruea arrived on the scene within a few minutes of each other, but the building was doomed then. It was already a mass of seething flames and shortly after their arrival the roof fell in. When the fire finally burned itself out, nothing but the four blackened tottering walls remained standing. It was reported that about half past ten last night, two farmers saw a light in the building. Whether the torch was applied that early is only a matter of conjecture. The building was erected in 1901 while Walter Breaks was township trustee, at a cost of $13,000. It contained four rooms and was constructed of brick with a stone finish. Trustee Symmes said the building will no doubt be rebuilt, just ads soon as insurance is adjusted and paid. The walls will have to be torn down and built anew, although it is thought the foundation and basement walls can be utilized. – thanks so much to Jerry Turner – greatly appreciated