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Rhythm Club Fire remembered
Published Thursday, April 24, 2008
The Rev. Melvin Jackson helps Rosalie Hawkins lay a wreath at the Rhythm Night Club Fire memorial Wednesday evening. Hawkins is a survivor of the 1940 fire that killed 241 people.
NATCHEZ — A small crowd of people gathered on the bluff Wednesday evening in reverence of the lives lost in the Rhythm Club Fire on April 23, 1940.
Wednesday marked the 68th anniversary of the fire that claimed 241 lives and changed the face and the history of the black community in Natchez.
Each year, the Natchez Business and Civic League commemorates those lives by placing a floral wreath on the marker that lists the names of those lost.
This year, survivor Rosalie Hawkins placed the wreath on the marker.
Hawkins was a senior in high school the night she went to the Rhythm Club, sporting pedal pushers and a young man on her arm.
This very man was the one who, when the fire started, knocked out a window and helped Hawkins out, saving her life.
Hawkins said she thinks of the event nearly every day of her life.
“Some days it’s real heavy on me,” she said. “You never forget it.”
She said she is grateful that every year citizens gather on the bluff to reflect on the tragedy.
“It’s nice that they still remember,” she said.
Eugenia B. Perry also joined the crowd to remember those lost.
She did not attend the club that evening as she was too young and still in junior high school.
She said she did have a relative who died in the fire, a senior in high school who played the clarinet.
“She was very talented,” Perry said.
Amidst praise and worship songs performed by the Zion Chapel African Methodist Episcopal choir and a saxophone solo by local musician Ronnie Reese, the families and descendants of those lost in the fire gathered to light white candles in remembrance.
Darrell White, director of the Natchez Association for the Preservation of African-American Culture Museum, lit a candle as well.
“I extend this candle in loving spirit to all whose names are listed on the monument behind us,” he said.
Comments
Posted by Teach4Peace (anonymous) on April 24, 2008 at 7:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I remember as a child, hearing stories from my grandparents about this fire. I remember them telling me that this place was the spot, back in that day and just to sit and hear their stories, really help me to appreciate, what I have now!
Posted by ElGoodo (anonymous) on April 24, 2008 at 7:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I bet there was some good music coming out of there back in the day. What a tragedy. God rest their souls.
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on April 24, 2008 at 8 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I also remember having the spot pointed out to me as a child and being told what had happened. It is one of the 2 great tragedies that keeps Natchez in the record books. The 1840 tornado is the other.
Posted by trulyblessed (anonymous) on April 24, 2008 at 8:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The Democrat has come a long way. I ran across this article while researching the fire.
The wording in this article may be offensive to some (Myself Included), and I apologize to those that are offended. To have reworded the article possibly would have made it less historically correct. This is the article that appeared, exactly as printed:
April 24, 1940 The Natchez Democrat
Cries of Burning Negroes Heard for Blocks,Identity of Dead Unknown Early this Morning, Many Who Escaped Given
Treatment and Many May Die, Fire
Caught at Front of Building to Trap
Negroes.
Between one hundred and one hundred and fifty negroes who were attending a dance at the Rhythm Night Club on Jefferson Street near the Triangle Service Station were burned to death last night when fire swept the overcrowded dance pavillion.
The dance hall was located in a corrogated iron building that kept flames inside while the negroes tried vainly to escape through the front entrance - the only exit to the dance hall.
Walter Barnes and his Orchestra had been brought to Natchez and as a result of the special occasion the dance hall overflowed with many standing outside on the street when the fire broke out.
The dance hall was decorated with hanging moss. This caught fire at the front of the building and quickly enveloped the entire hall. The negroes made a mad dash for the front, those who were weak went down under the thundering feet of others.
As the front exit to the building was blocked the negroes turned and thundered to the back only to be met with the corrogated iron side of the building. They piled upon each other and there they died, some due to the flames and others due to suffocation.
Members of the fire department and citizens who rushed into the building were greeted by a scene of mass tragedy. The negroes were piled upon each other as high as the rear windows of the building.
Under the masses of the dead could be seen signs of life. The dead were pulled away and from under several who were partly suffocated and partly burned were taken out and rushed to the Natchez Hospital and the Natchez Sanitorium for treatment.
Posted by trulyblessed (anonymous) on April 24, 2008 at 8:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
article cont....
The unearthly cry of those who were burning to death could be heard for blocks even before the fire alarm had been sounded. Their cry attracted the attention of citizens who rushed to the scene to give assistance.
As the rescuers entered the building they were greeted by the most gruesome of sights. The Negroes badly burned were under the tables and chairs where they sought refuge when they found that there was no way to escape.
The fire was quickly extinguished and the work of extracting the dead negroes got underway and was being continued early this morning, the dead being taken to the negro undertaking establishments which were within a block of the dance hall.
The identity of the dead negroes could not be ascertained early this morning as the work was devoted to getting the dead bodies out of the building while on the outside the shrieking and crying of relatives of those believed to be in the building made the blood of all who were nearby run cold.
It is estimated by Sheriff Hyde R. Jenkins and officers of the police department that some two hundred negroes succeeded in escaping from the building. They were burned badly and were given treatment.
Every doctor in the city was called and throughout the early morning hours were administering to those who had been burned. Many of those who escaped were expected to die today.
One negro, Julius Hawkins, who is assistant to the pressman at the Democrat was in attendance and was an eye witness to the stark tragedy.
The negro said that he was standing under the dried moss which caught fire."I was standing near the door," the negro said," and it just spread over everything. I turned and made a run for it and got out with only a scratched arm."
"Inside everyone was trying to get out and crushing each other as the fire was burning them. All were crying and yelling and after a while I could smell the burning meat. I hope I never see anything like it again."
Two members of the orchestra managed to escape by leaping through a window and suffered severe burns. The other members of the orchestra were blocked from escape as the negroes rushed to the back of the building where the orchestra was located.
Posted by annuity (anonymous) on April 24, 2008 at 8:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Although before I was born, I later heard story's about the incident from older siblings. A very tragic event and well worth remembering those who perished and came face to face with God at such a young age.
Posted by JECS (anonymous) on April 24, 2008 at 8:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks (trulyblessed) for the article. I had relatives in that fire, and I've never read the article. Thank you again for taking time. Your apology accepted on my end, but I guess it's not necessary. You are right they have come a long way. I guess everyone has. (including me) Thanks to all the people that put the program together.
Thanks to Bishop Melvin Jackson,Sr. for being there also, Mr. White too. Mrs Hawkins who I've known all my life,and I will always remember her beautiful smile. Thanks again tb.
Posted by c_8512 (anonymous) on April 24, 2008 at 8:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
So many lives lost is indeed sad. To the family and friends of those who died, may God give you comfort on this day of remembrance.
I also remember hearing a song by Howlin' Wolf called "Natchez Burning" which is about this tragedy.
Posted by rocketman (anonymous) on April 24, 2008 at 8:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
May we never forget history (the REAL history)and learn from it. Is there a monument located to honor the people that perished in this fire? There should be.
Posted by JECS (anonymous) on April 24, 2008 at 8:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
There is one rocketman on the Natchez Bluff. by the pavilion.
Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on April 24, 2008 at 9:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
God bless them.
Posted by cchat123 (anonymous) on April 24, 2008 at 9:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The Rhythm fire was a tragedy then and still remains so today....though I was only a child, I was told of the
tragedy at the family breakfast table the next morning.
To this day 2008, I still remember how distraught people were about this horrible thing. Later on, I researched the events and found out the fire was started as a result of two men who beacme disgrunted over the admission fee to the dance and was asked to leave. Tree moss was used to decorate the dance hall and also the agent which quickly spread the fire by way of a lit cigarette.
Posted by butterfly (anonymous) on April 24, 2008 at 9:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes, the Monument has been there for YEARS.
I am now 49, and recall~as a young child~ my parents taking us to the Bluffs at least 2/3 Sundays a month where we walked the railroad tracks, peered thru the fence (or was carried on his shoulders or in mom's arms) to see the river, or scanned the names on the Monument to find our Aunt's name (my Dad's sister) Ms. Harriet Hackett.
My Dad, Mr. James Frank Green, missed his sister dearly and OFTEN spoke of her fondly. He would tell us the account of how he ALWAYS wanted to tag along with his older sisters (and tried to that night~but was sent back home).
I was always saddened over what happened to my Aunt (and all those other individuals) and never knowing her; but I am so grateful that my Dad was sent back home and he grew up, married, and they (my parents) bore us 5 children. For he was a WONDERFUL Father & friend, and we had a WONDEFUL LIFE....
Posted by rocketman (anonymous) on April 24, 2008 at 11:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is by far the most tragic and horrible thing that has ever happened to Natchez. ((cchat)): Did they charge the man (men?) that lit the moss? ((trulyblessed)): Thank you for submitting the article and bring to light the real horror of that night so people can REMEMBER and hopefully pay homage to the deceased and survivors. ((butterfly)) So proud for you that your aunt would not let her brother tag along. It's called "destiny".
Posted by vidalia1 (anonymous) on April 24, 2008 at 2:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Many persons from Vidalia I am told also died and the real sad part is that many parents thought their children were at
home asleep and they had sneaked out to this dance. We and the entire nation should never forget this tragic event. I plan to print and keep copies of how this occured because I never really knew the whole story untill now.I also remember
tragic drowning in the Mississippi River one of my classmate
who was only 8 at the time.I am a full grown person with grand children and I am still affected.Thank you Truly blessed for the post.
Posted by vidalia1 (anonymous) on April 24, 2008 at 5:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I plan to see where the bluff is.Isnt that near the top of the hill where the brigge to Vidalia begins?I really want to see this trobute.
Posted by vidalia1 (anonymous) on April 24, 2008 at 5:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I meant tribute..........makes me so sad to think of it.Most were so so young.
Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on April 24, 2008 at 7:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is so sad. I remember my mother telling us about one of her friends who slipped out of the house, unbeknownst to her parents, and perished in the fire. Her parents told her that she could NOT go to the Rhythm Nightclub. When the people came to her home the following morning to notify the parents of their daughter's death, they told them that they were wrong! The mother told them that her daughter was in bed. Well, when she went into her room, she found pillows under the bedcovers shaped to look like a human body -- the daughter has slipped out of the window and went to the nightclub against her parents' wishes. My mother said you could hear that mother screaming for all the way down the road. Just gives you goose bumps!!!
My mother used to tell that story to us and stress that it is not wise to disobey your parents and try to slip and do things behind their backs -- no good comes of it. I remember that story AND moral lesson to this day. As a matter of fact, I have told it to my children to get across the same lesson. This was such a horrible tragedy.
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on April 24, 2008 at 10:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you so much for sharing the reports of the event...the thing that struck me was that if you substitute the words...man...woman...person...,in lieu of the word "negro" it becomes so much more poignant for everyone.
It's a shame that the tragedy also had the racist connotations attached.
Thank you again for the historical perspecive.
Posted by rocketman (anonymous) on April 25, 2008 at 7:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sam: It doesn't matter if the word "Negro" is substituted with another or not...it's still tragic and poignant for everyone!!! Let's please not make a race thing out of this...these were human beings!
Posted by cchat123 (anonymous) on April 25, 2008 at 9:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Rocketman, there was no indication in my research which indicated the men were ever prosecuted or if they perish in the fire as well. The windows were boarded shut as well as a back door to prevent people from sneaking in. Of course, back then, no fire policies were in place to discourage the blocking of exits so people did not consider what they were doing created a hazardous situation.
Today, we learn from history to act more safely at gatherings and events which attracts many people. I am still haunted by the nonfiction and empathic to those who loss a child or parent in that fire.
This would make a great movie (of course not for $$ gain) for tribute to the dead
Posted by rocketman (anonymous) on April 25, 2008 at 10:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
cchat: Wonder how we could make that happen? I don't have a CLUE...but I think you have come up with an excellent idea. Maybe even a documentary on the History Channel. As far as I know, this is only history in Natchez...not the entire U.S.A.
Posted by sideline (anonymous) on April 25, 2008 at 2:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My grandma used to tell me about this all the time.
Posted by vidalia1 (anonymous) on April 25, 2008 at 5:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It happenned in The USA It Is United States History .Mississippi Is one of our states.These persons were citizens of the United States.
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on April 25, 2008 at 8:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Considering this was in 1940, the word Negro is hardly racist or disrespectful. It is after all what blacks were called at that time. I was told about this years later (as I wasn't even born in 1940) and part of the tragedy was that the Red Cross volunteers even ran out of supplies to help with first aid to the injured. There were no bandages, pain medicine, or anything to help. Many of those who came to help were white, and color or race didn't matter because it was people trying to help people. And that is the way it should be.
Posted by rocketman (anonymous) on April 26, 2008 at 1:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
No joke, Vidalia!!! That wasn't even my point. But do you read of this in books or in write-ups or documentaries (as one does of the Chicago Fire, etc.)? No! Just in the Miss-Lou area!
Posted by Lakeside55 (anonymous) on August 25, 2008 at 5:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm looking for anyone who was there that night or who had a family member who has since passed, who was there that night or was witness in the days afterwards to please contact me at:
Mtnmusic@Summermoon.com
My Dad was friends with Walter Barnes and had seen him just shortly before this tragedy in Florida. My Dad's band was playing in Florida. All my life my Dad warned me about fires in places, but I never knew why. Now I know.
Serious contacts only please!!!
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