The Outsiders
Realistic fiction
Speak
April 1967
Paper back
180
Three Boys Sacrificed Themselves in Church Fire
By Sage Nelson, City Journal
Ada Oklahoma, Oct 15, 1964
One week ago at Jay Mountain, Ponyboy Curtis, Johnny Cade, and Dallas Winston saved Jerry Wood’s class from a burning church. The three boys rescued and saved the kids that were trapped inside the church.
Jerry says “I don’t know how the fire started but I heard gunshots like they were exploding”. Johnny Cade and Ponyboy Curtis went in with no hesitation breaking the window. They were able to get all the kids out the window fast and safely. When they were getting out part of the church fell in on Johnny’s back and cracked his spine severely. Ponyboy came back to help him but he hit something and fell and got a concussion. Dallas Winston came in and saved both of the boys by pulling them to safety.
Firefighters were able to put the fire out. They found matches and cigarettes that they assumed must of caused the fire. The three boys were declared heroes from their bravery. One of the witnesses said, “They saved them from burning to death.” Although after being in the hospital for a couple of days the boys still had some pretty bad burns. Johnny Cade died days later after his tragic accident. Friends and the little family that Johnny Cade had were devastated. The other two boys were cleared and sent home.