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Verbena Ala
Dec 19th 1890
My Dear Child
You must not be
frightened or excited when I
tell you that our house and
nearly every thing we had was
destroyed by fire, yesterday a. m.
at 4 o'clock; Clayton [Z ?]'s old
kitchen (as we find) caught on
fire, we discovered it about
3 o'clock; a strong wind was
blowing towards our house;
they made some effort to wet
the roof, but while Clayton's
dwelling was burning, saw they
could not save ours; we have
three beds & bedding, my bureau
Father's Cabinet, and some chairs
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every thing else gone; I regret
the loss of the sweet piano,
most for your sake; all my
pretty china & glass ware, 5
carpets, chandelier, hanging lamps,
two large feather beds, two
mattresses and 12 tons of the
finest coal; that is still
burning, it lights all this part
of the town at night, they say
it will burn a week, have to
guard it at night; all three
of the wardrobes gone, have
the doors to mine; you know
we have twenty-five hundred
dollars insurance on the home
that will help us some; we
are in Mrs. Tompson's house for
the present, and the coldest home
I was ever in; we are very thank-
ful it was not worse, we are
all safe and cheerful as possible
Cousin Martha B has been
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so generous and kind to us.
Williams & Boykins lost nearly
everything and no insurance,
but Mrs. W. is cheerful; they all
say I beat the world to stand
misfortune; I try to seem lively
for Father's sake, so hard for
him to see the work & comforts
of years, destroyed in that little
time; Kennerly came down last
night, cheered us very much,
and has helped Father too,
visiting, &c. he has been sick,
looks bad, but is lively, he is
having stove put up now, we
bought one from Mr. Brooks.
all that saved the depot, was a
new roof put on last week;
Clayton's old store caught fire
several times, wind blew the
cinders so, one of our beds
burned after it was moved
across the [rail road ?]. Bro K
is going soon, can not write
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more; Bro Joe & White have just
come with load of wood, potatoes
&c. Mr. Brooks had all his
goods moved out of store, so
sure it would burn; we are
comfortable & cheerful, you need
not worry all will come round
right; Sister came last night, we
all had a cry when she came
all my good things for Xmas,
fruit-cake, lot of eggs butter &c,
every thing gone; I want you
to stay there one month longer if
possible; tell Dr. B. - will send
money for your board, as soon
as all is quiet. I send you papers
you can show him notice of fire
all send love; I appreciate your
present, it is lovely, and the first
on my list of accumulation for
a new start in life. write me
at once, how you are faring; we
will have a sad Xmas in some
aspects. Your dear Mother
Fitzpatrick Mitchell Williamson Papers
