HOLT, Elizabeth 1836/1837 - 1911

HOLT

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 12/25/2024 at 12:07:24

"The Fairfield Daily Journal"
Thursday, December 7, 1911
Page 2, Columns 2 and 3

RISKS LIFE FOR PROPERTY
Mrs. Elizabeth HOLT Aged Negress Fatally Burned This Morning.

Mrs. Elizabeth HOLT, an aged colored woman of this city is lying at the Fairfield Hotel in a serious condition with little hopes for her recovery as the result of a fire this forenoon which partially destroyed her home on North Sixth street. Mrs. HOLT is severely burned about the entire upper half of the body.

The fire was discovered by neighbors about 10;30 o'clock but it had gained such headway that the upper part of the two story frame building was badly damaged before it could be controlled.

Mrs. HOLT was injured while trying to save some of her household effects. After the arrival of the departments Mrs. HOLT was warned to stay out of the building but continued to run back and forth in the house. She was seen to throw some things from an up stairs window then disappeared. When she did not appear again members of the department immediately went in search of her. Ladders were used and an attempt was made to enter the upstairs window where she was seen but it was found impossible because of the smoke and flames. At the same time Sheriff Campbell with Will Fulton and others led a party to the first floor which was now filled with smoke. After several attempts entrance was gained to the kitchen were Mrs. HOLT was found unconcious behiind (sic) the stove(.) When rescued she was found to be fearfully burned.

Mrs. HOLT was carried to the Fairfield Hotel where she is being cared for by friends. She is conscious but suffering intensely.

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"The Fairfield Daily Journal"
Friday, December 8, 1911
Page 4, Column 1

FIRE VICTIM DIED TODAY.

Mrs. Elizabeth HOLT, the aged colored woman who was so frightfully burned Thursday morning when her home was partially destroyed by fire died of her injuries at the Fairfield Hotel. Death relieved her suffering this morning shortly after eight o'clock.

Mrs. HOLT was a familiar character in Fairfield and was known to almost all of the older residents. She had resided here for about thirty-five years, coming to this city from Birmingham where she had resided with the Pitkin family the parents of Mrs. J. C. Thorne for several years.

In her earlier life Mrs. HOLT was a slave, being the property of a Mississippi slave holder. Just previous to the civil war she with her husband was sold to a very severe master who believed in the free use of the lash on his servants. Mrs. HOLT was happily freed by the proclamation of President Lincoln.

Soon after the close of the war Mr. and Mrs. HOLT settled in Missouri. Later she came to Birmingham and for a part of the time was in the employ of the Pitkin family(.)

While living in Birmingham she would walk to Fairfield and work out by the day, doing washing and similar work.

To the members of the Pitkin family whom she regarded as her benefactors she remained loyal to the time of her death and it was Mrs. Thorne's voice which soothed her terrible suffering which lasted until the end.

Mrs. HOLT was the mother of two daughters who have both preceded her in death. So far as can be ascertained she has no relatives living. She was a member of the Christain (sic) church of this city and those who knew her had nothing but kind words to say regarding her life.

The remains were removed to Kerrick & Co.'s undertaking rooms and the funeral will be held tomorrow afternoon at two o'clock at the Christain church. Rev. J. A. Longston will conduct the services and the interrment will take place in Evergreen cemetery.

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"Jefferson County Republican"
Friday, December 8, 1911
Front Page, Column 3

Mrs. Elizabeth HOLT Dead from Burns.

Mrs. Elizabeth HOLT, an aged negro woman, died this morning about nine o'clock from burns received yesterday morning in the fire which destroyed her home. She was carried across the street to the Fairfield Hotel where she was tenderly cared for. Her suffering was intense. Mrs. HOLT at one time was a slave and so far as known she had no relatives living.

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"The Fairfield Daily Journal"
Monday, December 11, 1911
Page 4, Column 3

CARD OF THANKS.

I wish to thank the neighbors and friends who kindly assisted my beloved friend, Elizabeth HOLT, in her last hours of suffering. I wish also to thank Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Thorne for their years of kindness to her. To thank Sheriff Campbell, Will. Swain and the members of the fire departments for their heroic rescue of her. Also Mr. Quinn and Rev. I. W. Bess for their timely message which enabled me to reach this city in time for the funeral.

Mrs. A. J. Crew,
Galesburg, Ia.
903

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"The Fairfield Weekly Journal"
Wednesday, December 13, 1911
Page 8, Column 2

WOMAN BURNED TO DEATH.

Mrs. Elizabeth HOLT, the aged colored woman who was so frightfully burned Thursday morning when her home was partially destroyed by fire died of her injuries at the Fairfield Hotel. Death relieved her suffering this morning shortly after eight o'clock.

The fire was discovered by neighbors about 10;30 o'clock but it, had gained such headway that the upper part of the two story frame building was badly damaged before it could be controlled.

Mrs. HOLT was injured while trying to save some of her household effects. After the arrival of the departments Mrs. HOLT was warned to stay out of the building but continued to run back and forth in the house. She was seen to throw some things from an up stairs window then disappeared. When she did not appear again members of the department immediately went in search of her. Ladders were used and an attempt was made to enter the upstairs window where she was seen but it was found impossible because of the smoke and flames. At the same time Sheriff Campbell with Will Fulton and others led a party to the first floor which was now filled with smoke. After several attempts entrance was gained to the kitchen were Mrs. HOLT was found unconcious behiind (sic) the stove(.) When rescued she was found to be fearfully burned.

Mrs. HOLT was a familiar character in Fairfield and was known to almost all of the older residents. She had resided here for about thity-five years (sic), coming to this city from Birmingham where she had resided with the Pitkin family the parents of Mrs. J. C. Thorne for several years.

In her earlier life Mrs. HOLT was a slave, being the property of a Mississippi slave holder. Just previous to the civil war she with her husband was sold to a very severe master who believed in the free use of the lash on his servants. Mrs. HOLT was happily freed by the proclamation of President Lincoln.

Soon after the close of the war Mr. and Mrs. HOLT settled in Missouri. Later she came to Birmingham and for a part of the time was in the employ of the Pitkin family(.)

While living in Birmingham she would walk to Fairfield and work out by the day, doing washing and similiar work.

To the members of the Pitkin family whom she regarded as her benefactors she remained loyal to the time of her death and it was Mrs. Thorne's voice which soothed her terrible suffering which lasted until the end.

Mrs. HOLT was the mother of two daughters who have both preceded her in death. So far as can be ascertained she has no relatives living. She was a member of the Christain (sic) church of this city and those who knew her had nothing but kind words to say regarding her life.

The remains were removed to Kerrick & Co.'s undertaking rooms(.)

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*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: Buried in Lot SDof17-015. Her gravestone mistakenly notes that she died in November, 1911, at the age of 75 years. Her Death Certificate gives a birth year of 1837, and age of 74 years, but no specific date or age. It also does not note who her parents or husband were.