Community Effort Helped Save Dupuy Street House, Contents During 1880 Fire
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Hill Country Living
By Coulter Fussell
Here’s a letter about the fire at the big house on Dupuy St. This is an intense description to write to a 7-year-old about her home, the near burning death of her 11-year-old brother and her younger siblings’ post-trauma!
Water Valley, Mississippi April 14, 1880
Dear Jessie,
Grandma and I are sitting by the dining table in your Mama’s room tonight, writing to you and Mama. Since the fire we cannot use the dining room. It has no floor and the walls have holes punched through them. The fire was all under the dining room floor and up through the walls between the plastering and the weather boarding. Oh, Jesse. I cannot tell you how I felt when I first heard the alarm of fire and found it was your pretty home burning up! And you all gone. Although I felt glad you yourself were not there sick so you are and I heard others say they were glad Jesse was not at home in all the excitement.
I was over at home upstairs, had been to the Cemetery all morning, at work, went home very tired, went upstairs, laid down and went to sleep. Had just woke when I heard Grandpa cry Fire! Fire! out in the yard. I felt it was over at your house. I ran to the window and looked, seen men running up there. I ran down the stairs and met Grandpa at the door. He said “Dan’s house is on fire.”
By the time I got there, the house and yard were full of men and women, all working like bees to put out the fire and save the things. Some drawing water, some carrying it, some carrying out things, some taking down blinds, some taking out windows, some taking down mantle boards. The whole yard in front was covered with things. Everything very neatly was brought out of the house, a great deal of furniture was handed down from upstairs, but it was not abused or scratched but very little.
I hope Jesse I’ll never see such a sight again nor have such feelings.
John had been fishing. Come home tired about 1 o’clock, gone into his room and was asleep when the man woke him in his room putting out fire. How do you think he must’ve felt? Poor little fellow in so much danger of being burnt up! I think his Heavenly Father must’ve been watching for him.
Aunt Dinkie went up to his room, but he had waked and was sitting on the side of the bed, looked dazed. I hunted up the children. Ma had them away down in the lower part of the yard so I stayed down there and watch things that were brought out. I did not try to get in the house, I thought I’d be more in the way.
Every once in a while Corinne thinks of the fire and ask is the house burning up. Kalista doesn’t cry for any of you. At first she would ask for each one of you. I would say “gone with Jesse to make her well.” That seemed to satisfy her. Then I’d give her a piece of candy and she would forget about it.
They are swell, but they are bad, too. Don’t you think so? They want to stay with me all the time.
Love to all,
Aunt Ella
