Newton County GaArchives News.....DESTRUCTIVE FIRE August 29, 1889
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Phyllis Thompson http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00011.html#0002524 August 15, 2005, 6:08 pm

The Georgia Enterprise August 29, 1889
     On Friday morning last, between 4 and 5 o’clock, the dining room attached 
to the residence of Mrs. G. T. Wells, was discovered to be on fire. The cook 
room was also on fire. The alarm was sounded, but owing to the early hour few 
people were up, however in a little while a large crowd had gathered, the hook 
and ladder boys being among the first to appear. The flames were past control 
and the people went to work in earnest to save the contents of the residence 
and protect the homes of Mr. E. O. Lee and Mrs. Lizzie Wright. Everything was 
saved from four rooms, but all of the bedding, blankets, etc. which had been 
packed away for winter use, were destroyed. All of the crockery, provisions, 
canned fruits, jellies, etc., and all the dining and cook room furniture went 
down in ashes, including $90 worth of solid silver ware, and no trace of this 
ware has been found in the ruins up to this time. Mrs. Wells kept her clothes 
in a bedroom closet, or stationary wardrobe, and only saved one old dress 
beside the wrap she wore on that unfortunate August morning. Her, daughter, 
Miss Sallie, lost quite a number of clothes, fine bed quilts, new blankets, 
spreads, etc., including a silk quilt, the work of her own fair hands.
     An insurance policy of $1,200 was held in the Southern Mutual on the 
residence, which will be promptly adjusted by Major Jas. M. Pace. This amount 
will be sufficient to rebuild a very comfortable cottage home, and the same 
will be erected at the earliest possible day. Immediately after the fire Mrs. 
Wells secured room in the Covington Hotel, purchased all the necessary articles 
needed and was able to welcome her boarders with an elegant dinner at Saturday 
noon. Her generous sons, Tom and Henry, gave her all the aid and comfort in 
their power, and she soon became reconciled to her misfortunes and in her old 
age renews the battle of life with new hopes, determined to reap success again 
by industry and unfaltering energy. Henry tendered her his home and pressed her 
to take it, but she firmly, yet gently declined to accept, as it was not near 
enough to the public square to suit her guests and day boarders. Mrs. Wells and 
family return thanks for the kindness shown them during and since the fire, and 
fell grateful to all who assisted in saving their goods from the burning. The 
origin of the fire is so far unknown. No fire had been in the house since early 
supper time the evening before. It may have been accidental, and again, it may 
have been the work  of a thieving incendiary. Mrs. Wells loss, over and above 
insurance, will not fall far short of nine hundred dollars.


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