Starling W. Childs to Mary-Stuart Smith

"It is almost impossible to realize that the Rotunda is no more and the Lawn without it must resemble nothing so much as a body without its head."

Nov. 17 '95
ShadeySide
Amberson Avenue

Dear Miss Smith-

Thank you very much for sending me the papers about the fire. The news here was very meagre & until the Charlottesville papers came I really knew nothing except that it had occurred.

It is almost impossible to realize that the Rotunda is no more and the Lawn without it must resemble nothing so much as a body without its head. I have not seen the Wilsons since it happened but will go there very soon to talk it over with them.

I can only hope that this will be the opportunity to the graduates to show their interest in the old place & that it will soon be restored-- The trouble lies in the relics, the pictures etc etc that were burned-- These can never be replaced & the Rotunda itself can never be quite the same-- There can be but one original--

But I know we both feel the same in these matters & there is no use in discussing it.

I should like to move on to New York next week-- After Yale's fine showing yesterday I feel quite confident the team will give a good account of themselves against Princeton next Saturday. But tho' I cannot be there, I shall have the next best means of learning the result. We are to have a special wire at the University Club & each play will be reported as it occurs. Of course I wish the University the best of luck in their big game. I was anxious for them to score on U. of P. but they seemed unequal to it.

I was sorry to hear that Mrs. Robinson was not very well. I trust "Her Grace" has fully recovered & please remind her that she owes me a letter.

I presume that Miss Harrison had fully recovered from her bicycle accident when she was with you. When I saw her in New York before I sailed she was hobbling on a crutch -- We ride a great deal here & in this glorious Autumn weather it is great fun. For the past two weeks we have been having some fine artistic & musical treats here in the opening of the Carnegie Library. Damrosch, Melba & other stars. I wish you could be here to enjoy it.

Give my regards to all my friends & hoping to hear again when you can manage it.

As ever sincerely

Starling W. Childs

Charles H. Cocke to Louise Cocke

Charles H. Cocke to Louise Cocke

"I felt & feel as though a temple had been profaned. No loyal alumnus can fail to feel a personal loss."

Columbus Miss. 3 Nov 1895
My dear Louise:

I am very much obliged for your kind letter. The University fire was a great shock to me. It haunted me night & day at first. I felt & feel as though a temple had been profaned. No loyal alumnus can fail to feel a personal loss. If the alumni's ability equaled their inclinations, I feel sure the work of restoration would be but a matter of time, and that the shortest necessary. The limitations of poverty in such crises are most sorely felt. What a pleasure it would be to be able to give a million straight down at once to restore and re-equip the buildings, in such order and style as the authorities might deem best! As it is, while my heart was full and my purse empty, I had to force back the words that rushed forward for expression of my sympathy & sorrow and content myself with sending Dr. Thornton a meagre declaration of my willingness to do anything in the power of an impecunious alumnus! I knew he would be deluged with telegrams & letters, so I was brief.

Philip recd. a letter today from Bowdoin. He speaks of coming to Miss. on a hunt with some friend. Of course we will nab him if he passes this way. I am sorry you have no definite plans for Atlanta. We had hoped you would surely come and give us a few weeks. Cannot you still do this? It would give us great pleasure, although you would have a very quiet time. 'Society' is unusually tame in Columbus this autumn, but we would enjoy you all the more for having you all to ourselves.

Our love to all. Write me or send me papers with plans of restoration when published. I shall be deeply interested in it all.

I am glad you made your mother take a holiday and delighted to hear of the improvement in her health. I have no doubt Fontaine will be delighted to spend his xmas holiday at the University, or with the boys if they go to Lower Bremo. Can you pack him away without inconvenience? The EHS has 98 students. .... Bowdoin met Miss Bell in Atlanta, so he writes. Phil has gone tonight to call on her, but he is very faithful to his N.O. girl. Write whenever you can. Present me cordially to Dr. Thornton. He must have his hands fuller than ever.

Very affectionately yours, Chas H Cocke

James Pleasants to Francis H. Smith

"...we felt as if the loss of the beloved old Rotunda and Public Hall, with its priceless contents, would be the most irreparable of disasters, and saddest of blows."

Richmond Oct 28, 1895

Dear Frank, Yesterday was truly a day of days; of sympathizing sorrow & overwhelming sadness with us all. Besides the terrific blow that fell on dear Robert Stiles in the death of his daughter Lelia, who died in the morning at 8 o'clock, there next came upon us the crushing news that the dear old University was in flames and doubtless doomed to destruction! I need not attempt to describe our misery and anxiety. All day long was spent in

eagerness, & melancholy, about the University's fate. I hardly have ever known more excite- ment in our Community, and as the day wore on & the news became sadder & sadder, we felt as if the loss of the beloved old Rotunda and Public Hall, with its priceless contents, would be the most irreparable of disasters, and saddest of blows. I thought of you very often & those invaluable treasures; and especially of your lecture-room & its apparatus.

To you and Peters and Mr. Holmes did my heart

go forth,-- and to Venable and Thornton and all of you, and to all the circle of life-long friends in the familiar walks where it has been so frequently my privilege to resort.

Carrie and Willie and Eugene were (with me) in deepest sympathy & sorrow with the University, and its Professors & all the neighbors & friends of the Institution. I hope & pray that the heavy ca-lamity may soon be as far as possible repaired.

We hope & expect to visit "Copeley" as usual say about Nov 10th to 12th, and to see you then & there. Kind regards to your good wife & family.

In great haste
Yrs. truly sincerely
James Pleasants

Prof. F. H. Smith
Univ. Of Va.

Edmund Randolph Williams to Mary-Stuart Smith

Edmund Randolph Williams to Mary-Stuart Smith

"So bright, however, is the prospect for speedy relief and the rebuilding of the old place that our sympathies may be turned to congratulations."

Michie & Williams,
Thomas Johnson Michie Attorneys & Counsellors at Law,
Edmund Randolph Williams Offices 908 Equitable Building.

Baltimore, Md. October 31st, 1895

My dear Miss Mary-Stuart,

I might sit down and at great length tell you of the sorrow that has felled my very soul at the thought of the ruin at the beloved old place and then I might for a long time tell of my heartfelt sympathies with you dear people to whom if possible, the destruction of the sacred place means more than to us who have dwelt there for but a term of years--yet but half would be told, so I will not begin feeling assured that you know well enough my feelings of ympathy and sorrow.

So bright, however, is the prospect for speedy relief and the rebuilding of the old place that our sympathies may be turned to congratulations. Of course you have seen of the good work in Richmond and other cities. Here in Baltimore Markham Marshall and I are stirring things up and hope to have a good report before long.

The "Sun" this morning in an editorial which I enclose comes handsomely to the front with a subscription for five hundred dollars. Prof. Gildersleeve reports that Johns Hopkins will give all the duplicates in their library to the Univ. As well as the plans which they have--and says further

that he thinks other colleges throughout the country will do as much.

Some day when you find the time do sit down and tell me about what is being done on the grounds toward restoring the lost place. With my love to your Father and Mother and an abundance for yourself I am

Most sincerely

Randolph Williams