04/19/2026
Source: Shelbyville Daily Union, July 6, 1946
County Jail Set Afire
Shelby R. Lane of 1956 Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, appeared before County Judge Arthur J. Steidle Tuesday morning and pleaded guilty to a charge of disorderly conduct. He was brought by representatives of $27.20.
The disorderly conduct charge was brought by representatives of the C. & E. I . railroad who asked Lane’s arrest Monday evening. Sheriff Beem said that Lane was a passenger on the C. & E. I. passenger train sitting here from the North late Monday evening. According to the sheriff he became disorderly on the train and delayed the departure of the Southbound passenger here for 24 minutes before he was taken into custody.
He was lodged in the county jail about 6:00 p.m. but was out of a home about 7:00 as a result of a fire at the county jail. The fire department had considerable difficulty in extinguishing the smoldering mattresses in the main cell and Lane was dragged out partially overcome by the smoke. He was revived in the fresh air, however, and was transferred to the city jail to spend the night.
Deputy sheriff Winson said that Lane told him he set the mattresses on fire. Six mattresses were destroyed. Lane was the only prisoner in the jail at the time. According to Deputy Winson he was enroute from Chicago to Marion, Ill. Identification cards showed his permanent address to be Princeton, Kentucky.
No action has been taken on Lane’s reported admittance of setting the jail bedding afire. He is being held in the city jail quarters are cleaned out again.
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