An Atlanta Native Writes:

GOOD MORNING, MR. GOODWIN.
I RECEIVED YOUR BOOK YESTERDAY, 01-16-07. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SWIFT AND COURTEOUS RESPONSE TO MY PURCHASE. I HAVE AN OLDER COPY, MISSING THE DUST COVER, AND WORN FROM MY READING IT EVERY COUPLE OF YEARS. NOW I HAVE A BEAUTIFUL, SIGNED COPY TO DISPLAY.
ALTHOUGH I DO NOT KNOW ANYONE INVOLVED OR AFFECTED BY THIS TERRIBLE FIRE, I AM, HOWEVER, A 53 YEAR OLD NATIVE ATLANTAN, BORN AT CRAWFORD LONG AND RAISED IN BUCKHEAD. I LOVE SOUTHERN HISTORY, AND ESPECIALLY ATLANTA'S HISTORY. YOUR BOOK IS ONE OF MANY SPANNING FROM THE CIVIL WAR TO THE PRESENT.
I AM DELIGHTED TO GLEAN THAT THE WINECOFF IS UNDERGOING A RESTORATION. IT IS A BEAUTIFUL BUILDING, AND UNFORTUNATELY BECAUSE OF IT'S TRAGIC HISTORY, ONE THAT SHOULD REMAIN A LANDMARK. SO MUCH OF ATLANTA'S BEAUTIFUL ARCHITECTURE HAS BEEN DESTROYED AND REPLACED WITH CONCRETE AND GLASS. I WALKED AROUND THE WINECOFF A FEW YEARS AGO, WHEN IT WAS BOARDED AND NEGLECTED, AND FELT SADNESS. I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE TRAGEDY, OR THE ABANDONMENT OF THE BUILDING, OR MAYBE A COMBINATION, BUT I HOPE NEW LIFE IN THE OLD BUILDING WILL CHANGE IT'S AURA. I PLAN TO VISIT IT AGAIN THIS SPRING.
AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR PROMPTNESS IN SENDING THIS SIGNED EDITION, AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED INTEREST IN THE WINECOFF. I WILL BE CHECKING WINECOFF.ORG FOR UPDATES.

SINCERELY,

SHERRY CANE SHAVER

A Reader in California Writes:

Hello Allen - Hope you remember me. I purchased your book a few weeks back and you sent me an autographed copy asking me to let you know how I liked it. I have finished it and found it very compelling. I think you and your co-author did an amazing job of research.

I have always been fascinated by the fates that placed people where they were when tragedy strikes ie the Ringling Bros. Hartford fire, Iroquois Theatre etc. and how they coped with the circumstances. You and Sam Heys (interesting variation on the spelling of my last name) captured much of that drama. Thanks for an interesting read. Best wishes for your continued success...... Tom Hays

Tom Hays is retired from the Los Angeles Police Department. Thanks for the kind words, Tom.

A Reader In Virginia Writes:

Your book was interesting to read and excellently researched.
Larnce Hopkins, Fairfax

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