Published: August 29, 2009 01:17 am      

A flood of memories

EFFINGHAM — The stories of courage, bravery and tragedy on April 4, 1949, are numerous and all bring a tear to the eye.

Sixty years ago, fire ripped through Effingham St. Anthony Hospital, leaving 77 dead and many injured. And although time continues to march onward, the stories of that night and its aftermath continue to play upon the heartstrings of those in the area.

In commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the fire, two women put together a book for the Effingham County Genealogical and Historical Society that is a compilation of newspaper clippings, other information and memories submitted by area residents that relive the events of that night and the period following the fire.

On Sept. 2, a second volume that compiles newspaper clippings, photos and submitted memories of that night will be available for sale at the Effingham Helen Matthes Library. Both Volumes 1 and II will be available daily at the library from 10 a.m. to noon, except Tuesday, until the books are sold out.

Volume II is similar to the first volume, but all the material is different than that provided in Volume 1.

The softbound book may be purchased for $25 and a hardbound copy can be purchased for $40.

The book was put together by Audrey Garbe and Eleanor Bounds, both teenagers at the time of the fire.

Garbe, who can remember going to the site of the fire in the days following the blaze, gathered everything she could about the fire for the last 60 years. The books are a compilation of those items, plus other material submitted by area residents including a research paper and personal written accounts of the event.

Garbe and Bounds decided that the 60th anniversary of the fire would be a good time to make their idea of “collecting all the items between the covers of a book” into reality. And with only a portion of the items going into the first book, they knew a second volume would soon follow.

A highlight of volume II is two interviews with women who survived the fire, Lucille Hartke of Neoga and June Mitchell of Effingham. Both women were in the maternity ward when the fire broke out on April 4 just before midnight.

Hartke lost her newborn son, but Mitchell was luckier. She was at the hospital in labor when the fire broke out. She was able to climb down a ladder held by firefighters and gave birth to a son, Charles, who went on to fight in Viet Nam. He died in 2004.

Hartke’s son, Donald, was born April 1, 1949. Although Hartke also was able to escape the blaze, her son died in the nursery.

At this time, the books will only be available at the library. If someone wants to purchase a book but cannot come to the library between the hours of 10 a.m. and noon, he or she may call Eleanor Poe Bounds at 217-347-5575.

Persons who wish to order books may send requests to the Effingham County Genealogical and Historical Society, P.O. Box 1166, Effingham IL 62401. Add $5 to the original price for shipping and $2 for each additional book in the same order.

Donna Riley-Gordon can be reached at 217-347-7151 ext. 129 or editor@effinghamdailynews.com.