Margaret & Warren Foster - Newly Acquired Photo!

Margaret and Warren Foster were rescued by ladder from room 508.
It was what Warren overheard happening in the room next door, prior to the fire, that has intrigued arson investigators ever since. He overheard an argument, a fist fight, breaking glass and a threat as a man departed room 510-12, "I'll get even with you before the night's over!"

Connie Foster

One year old, Connie Foster and her parents were recued from room 508 by Atlanta Fire Captain Rick Roberts. He carried little Connie down a ladder to the safety of Peachtree Street. "That baby was smiling all the way down the ladder," said Captain Roberts.
This newly acquired photo shows Connie in the dress her parents bought for her at Davison's Department Store following the fire.
Connie Foster and Rick Roberts were reunited first in 1993 after the the publication of The Winecoff Fire and again in 2006. Said Roberts, "I recognized her eyes immediately!"

Water Pitcher Discovered

Winecoff Fire reader Julie Cleaves discovered this hammered copper water pitcher at a Pennsylvania antiques auction. What caught her attention was a mysterious tag attached to it. It reads: "Hand Made Hammer Copper Water Picture From Wine Coft Hotel Atlanta". Julie quickly assumed that the word "picture" was intended to be "pitcher" and that "Wine Coft" should read "Winecoff". Did this pitcher actually come from the Winecoff Hotel? We're posting this photo in hopes the pitcher will look familiar to one of our readers. If so, e-mail Winecoff Fire co-author Allen B. Goodwin: allenbgoodwin@yahoo.com

Tornado Strikes Downtown Atlanta

Only minor damage to the old Winecoff Hotel building was reported: "A couple of broken windows," said an Ellis Hotel telephone operator. The tornado struck March 14th at 9:38 pm and caused significant damage elsewhere in the downtown area.

Ed Kiker Williams - Newly Acquired Photo

Ed Kiker Williams, 15, was excited about going to Atlanta. When he left Cordele, Ga. that Friday he was behind the wheel of his aunt's big blue Buick. His mom, aunt, little sister and three cousins were all on board. The weekend in Atlanta was a shining star ahead for each of them. His sister Clair had her heart set on seeing the Disney film, Song of the South. The ladies were going to Christmas shop for special gifts unavailable in Cordele. Ed was content just to be the driver.
The group took two rooms in the Winecoff Hotel, 1530 for his aunt and cousins, 1520 for him, his mom and little sister.
At 3:42 am Saturday morning life began to change for Ed Kiker Williams. The story of his struggle to live and his miraculous survival is told in Chapter 4 of The Winecoff Fire.
Hear a six minute segment of the authors' original 1986 interview with Mr. Williams: Ed Kiker Williams.mp3

Mildred Johnson - Newly Acquired Photo

Mildred Johnson, room 628, fell into the alley behind the Winecoff Hotel when flames from the window of room 528 severed her sheet rope. She survived with injuries. One hand was permanently disfigured by the fall. This photo, taken before the fire, was one of her favorites because it shows her hands. Her story is told on pages 26 and 166 of The Winecoff Fire.

Vintage Newspaper Discovered!

Winecoff Fire reader Donna Howard Parker has discovered this vintage issue of The Augusta Chronicle. It is dated Sunday December 8th, 1946. Donna reports it was found among the effects of the late Lilly Howard of Augusta, Ga. Lilly saved the issue throughout her life because she was so touched by the tragedy it describes. The earliest news reports inaccurately inflated the number of fatalities. The correct count was 119. One U.P.I. story reported 123. This issue reports 127. It also includes a vivid account of the Muns brothers' miraculous escape from room 1206 via sheetropes.

Tenth Floor Now For Women Only

The Atlanta Journal & Constitution reports that the the entire tenth floor of the Ellis Hotel is now reserved for women only.