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Fire Alarm
The school year of 1941-42 at Ladonia High School was one that my husband, Paul McCormack, remembers with laughter. At that
time T. Doane Bartley taught woodworking. He was very knowledgeable about this subject, and managed to elicit great enthusiasm
from his students. Grady Fowler was the school superintendent, and he had an idea to impress the subject of fire safety on
the student body. He asked Bartley to have the woodworking students prepare a wooden block in the shape of a brick. This wooden
block was then painted red.
At the next weekly school assembly Mr. Fowler explained to the students that the "red brick" had been prepared, and proudly
held it above his head so that everyone knew just how it looked. He told them that this was to be a test. At times selected
by him, the "brick" would be placed at various places in the school building. When a student found it, he or she was to go
immediately to the fire alarm bell and ring it; then a fire drill routine would commence. This would test the effectiveness
of the school's fire drill routine. Fowler, of course, was to be in possession of the "brick," and intended to place it himself.
However, Bartley--unbeknownst to Fowler--had the class make TWO of the "bricks," and kept one of them for himself.
Fowler's office was on the second floor, and the fire alarm was just down the hall from his office, right by the water fountain.
One afternoon about 2:30, Bartley placed HIS "brick" by the water fountain. A student found it almost immediately, and--according
to instructions given by Mr. Fowler--rang the fire alarm bell. The word was that "Grady Fowler almost jumped out of his skin,"
thinking that there really was a fire. Excited students exited the building by the doors or fire escape ladders, getting out
as quickly as they could. After it was discovered that this was a false alarm, it was too late in the day to get the students
back inside for more classes. This proved to be a joyous occasion for the students since classes were cancelled for the rest
of the day.
That was the first--and last--time the fire "bricks" were used.
Lowell McCormack
Gainesville, Texas
Published:
March 17,
2006
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