Ed Kiker Williams - Newly Acquired Photo

Ed Kiker Williams, 15, was excited about going to Atlanta. When he left Cordele, Ga. that Friday he was behind the wheel of his aunt's big blue Buick. His mom, aunt, little sister and three cousins were all on board. The weekend in Atlanta was a shining star ahead for each of them. His sister Clair had her heart set on seeing the Disney film, Song of the South. The ladies were going to Christmas shop for special gifts unavailable in Cordele. Ed was content just to be the driver.
The group took two rooms in the Winecoff Hotel, 1530 for his aunt and cousins, 1520 for him, his mom and little sister.
At 3:42 am Saturday morning life began to change for Ed Kiker Williams. The story of his struggle to live and his miraculous survival is told in Chapter 4 of The Winecoff Fire: The Untold Story of America's Deadliest Hotel Fire.

Hear a six minute segment of the authors' original 1986 interview with Mr. Williams.

Mildred Johnson - Newly Acquired Photo

Mildred Johnson, room 628, fell into the alley behind the Winecoff Hotel when flames from the window of room 528 severed her sheet rope. She survived with injuries. One hand was permanently disfigured by the fall. This photo, taken before the fire, was one of her favorites because it shows her hands. Her story is told on pages 26 and 166 of The Winecoff Fire: The Untold Story of America's Deadliest Hotel Fire.