A Reader in Rockmart, Georgia Writes:

Mr. Goodwin,

I have just finished reading your book about the Winecoff Hotel fire. Once I had a chance to really settle down and read it I couldn't put it down. So I've spent most of my day today reading it.
I have so many emotions running through my mind right now. I wish I could remember specific names of some of the victims but I'm sure you'll know who I'm talking about when I mention them shortly.
It's hard for me to believe that even back in those days there wasn't a fire escape on the building. That one thing could have changed the course of history that night. I'm so sorry it wasn't available to these victims. At times I found myself breathing shallow just as if I was in the smoke filled rooms with these people. Or wondering how they must have felt standing out on an 8'' ledge high above the ground. And then the poor souls who jumped, some lived, some died. But even the survivors were so badly injured from the fall that I'm sure they had problems from that for the rest of their lives.
I really felt a connection to the young men from Rome that was in the hotel that night. I live 20 miles from there and I know the mill village that you must be talking about in the book. Those young men would be in their mid to late 70's if they are still alive today.
Probably one of the most touching moments was when the Mother realized that she and her children were not going to survive she took them to the bed and laid down with them on each side of her and I'm sure tried to calm them as only a mother can do until they passed out of this world and in to Heaven. I hope it was quick.
Also the young high school girls who died along with their teacher. That was hard to read.
I wanted this book to end. I had read enough. I'm very concerned about how this fire started. Why it seemed no one would dig deep enough to find out for sure what happened. If that happened in this day and time the news media wouldn't stop until they had exposed everyone involved or even suspected.
I think it was arson. I think there was something underhanded going on in the hotel and that some of the staff was in on it. The Hotel Detective knew more than he ever told. I believe that. And the dirty cops were covering something up as well.
Thank you for answering all the questions I've wondered about for several years. People tend to want to put these tragedies out of their minds and move on...sometimes you have to get to the bottom of things before putting things to rest. I don't think the City of Atlanta done that in this case.
Sincerely,
Johnny K. Woods

Dear Johnny,

Thanks for your kind e-mail about our book!
Couldn't put it down? Mixed emotions? Wanted it to end? I know just what you mean.
The Winecoff fire: few studies can grip ones interest so tightly until you are too amazed, appalled, saddened, thankful or sickened to think about it anymore.
I wish you could have been at the remembrance ceremony hosted on December 3rd by the Atlanta Fire Department. Richard Hamil spoke. He and his father survived the fire, though just barely. His dad was the chaperone for the Rome boys. He never got over loosing them.
I have met and interviewed Richard on several occasions but when he got up to
briefly tell his story a few Sundays ago my back stiffened. I was on the edge of
my chair as he spoke. I know you would have been too.
Here is a link to a sixtieth anniversary story form the Rome News-Tribune:
http://news.mywebpal.com/partners/680/public/news767568.html
It tells about the boys from Rome, their brief lives, their accomplishments and
their hopes for the future.
Thanks for writing to me, Johnny. Be safe,
Allen