Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-05-04
THE GREAT FIRE OF 1911.
A True story of n Remarkable Pre-
mODitiOn.

To the Editor of the Dispatch:
The delightfully-w article on the
great Richmond fire. which appeared in
one of your recent issues, recalls another
of the many tragedies enacted upon that
memorable night. My grandmother, a
daughter Of Mr.. Joseph Marx, of your
city, was at the time a child of Y years,
but so wildly was each detail of the
awful event imprinted upon her memory.
that to the close of her long life she
never spoke of the incident of which l
write without agitation.
Those who have read Howe's History
of Virginia have seen among the list or
victims who persisted in the flames the
name Of Emma Marx. A gay, sweet girl
of II. full of spirit. rejoicing in youth and
beauty, she was the life of the house
during he entire stay at her uncle's
home. She was an orphan. her parents
having both died while she was
very young before their loss could
cast shadow over her young
brightness. ON the morning Of De-
cember 26 ISL, therefore, when
she appeared at breakfast sad. distraite,
and silent. the attention of the entire
family was attracted; the more so as
the following day would be Emma's 18th
birthday, and she was in the midst of
elaborate preparations for entertaining
her young friends. Her interest seemed
wholly gone now, and no rallying nor
remonstrance could awaken it. Her aunt
at last called her aside and tenderly
questioned her as TO the cause OF her
depression. After moments hesitation
she burst into tears and said: "Oh,
Aunt. | know you will laugh at me-you
ffsl. nd xrnal lint In
deed il is no dream-no fancy. After l
had been asleep last night | was reused
by the sound of voice, and / could dis
tinctIy see shadowy, white figure stand
ing at the foot of my bed while a voice.
which seemed perfectly familiar. though
could not recognize il, said
clearly and distinctly: Thou shalt
never live to see H." All that
could be said to tighten her fears aud
cheer her spirits her aunt urged on her,
and she tried 10 respond. but so deep was
her gloom and apprehension, increasing
as night came on, that Mrs. Marx went
10 one Of her sons and requested MN 10
take Emma TO the theatre that night, TO
see IL the change would not dispense the
effects of her vivid dream.
They WENT As they left the door Emma
turned her fair face and waved her hahd,
with something OF hef Old Sayety. boou-
bv. dear auntw she said. Alas. 1t was
last farewell; when next her aunt be-
held that face it was shorn OF all SEM
blance of life. blackened and disfigured-
scarcely to be recognized, even by the
ewes of love. As if the fates had, In
deed. pronounced her doom. on reaching
the theatre Emma left her cousin. going
TO another part of the building to greet
some friends: i'm consequence of which,
when her cousin Mr.. Samuel Marx,
discovered her danger she was COM
pletely cut of from all human aid,
while Mr.. Marx escaped with compare
tive ease from the seat he occupied,
though he afterwards risked his life in
vain endeavor TO reach his cousin. And
so the strange vision was literally veri-
fled, or If she saw" her 18th birthday,
twas on a fairer shore than that from
which the poor child embarked upon
sea OF fire May it not be the voice
familiar, yet unknown, was that of her
dear mother, come to the very limits OF
the other world, 10 greet her child as
she embarked upon the waters of the
Great Unknown? I. Is. r.
East Radford, Va.