George Goodwin Biography by Matt Porter

George E. Goodwin:

Service Before Self

By Matt Porter

Behind the Scenes Advisor’s Wisdom and Long Perspective

Shaped Modern Atlanta … and Countless Lives

For more than 60 years, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and public relations counselor George Goodwin was one of Atlanta’s leading civic architects — and perhaps its greatest and most unseen. Beginning in the 1940s, he helped shape modern Atlanta, guiding it to become an economic powerhouse and leading population center. While Goodwin never sought the spotlight for his influence, his fame was legend, earned by his talent for helping people of different political, religious and social backgrounds work towards common purpose: the improvement of Atlanta.

Born June 20, 1917, George Evans Goodwin, Jr. 97, died January 21, 2015, at his Atlanta residence surrounded by his family. His guiding philosophy was captured in a brief, revealing inscription penned in his own hand to his son Allen inside the cover of a book he co-authored with Atlanta writer Anya Martin and Herbert Miller entitled Boys High Forever: The History of an Extraordinary Atlanta Public High School:

“This book is about my high school in Atlanta. It no longer exists, but its well-trained alumni have helped make Atlanta the good city it is. The moral — if there is one — is seek the best, and all around you will benefit.”

Belief in the Capacity of Others

Search the Internet for Atlanta’s history over the past 70 years, and Goodwin’s name is interwoven with the city’s story. His role in shaping the city is preserved in the archives of the state’s trade associations, newspapers, major universities, philanthropic organizations, museums, civic associations, corporations and religious institutions. He was a quiet giant, shaping Atlanta through expansion of its civic, cultural and economic infrastructure, including the building of the Peachtree Plaza Hotel, Oglethorpe University, Westminster Schools, Alliance Theater, MARTA, the Atlanta Arts Alliance, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and Atlanta Public Library. He achieved these things by drawing together people of diverse perspectives, means and talents to create philanthropic organizations, businesses, and economic might as well as advancing the quality of race relations, religious tolerance and civic responsibility.

Former Trinity Senior Minister Rev. Joanna Adams, speaking at Goodwin’s 95th birthday observance (2012) said, “Of all the legacies George is going to leave, his greatest is helping our city learn how different people can live together and communicate with each other in a spirit of civility and respect.”

Goodwin’s sincere belief in capacity of others and his interest in their lives was legend, inspiring generations to make Atlanta the economic capital of the Southeast and a city of international significance. He made Atlanta’s success the measure of his success, generating valuable friendships with scores of business, civic and religious leaders. Every Atlanta mayor from William B. Hartsfield to Shirley Franklin saw him as a progressive, practical thinker who fully understood and drew energy from the urban environment and need for bi-racial cooperation. Said Mayor Shirley Franklin in a tribute to Goodwin in 2004: “I think George has made all the difference in the world to this city. If it hadn’t been for George and his commitment to this city and his willingness to tackle tough problems, I am not sure we’d be the city we are today. His mark will be long-lasting.” (Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeJeESOW59A)

In the cause of Atlanta’s spiritual, cultural economic and civic development, no one was more devoted than he. He helped lead the effort to build the Woodruff Memorial Arts Center following the tragic jetliner crash on June 3, 1962, at Paris Orly Airport that claimed the lives of more than 106 Atlanta arts patrons, plus 24 others. He and his wife were among a handful of families who used their own homes as collateral to found and build Trinity Presbyterian Church in northwest Atlanta. When Atlanta’s leaders were organizing for the 1996 Olympic bid, the call came to Goodwin to help shape the communication effort. In economic development, he worked with such leading businessmen as James D. Robinson (First National Bank of Atlanta), Robert Woodruff (Coca-Cola), and John C. Portman (Portman & Associates). And while Goodwin could walk among civic titans, his greatest satisfaction came in helping the young and disadvantaged form careers of good purpose, opening doors and encouraging them to exceed his high expectations. He sincerely believed that all good people, no matter their background or education, could help make Atlanta great, step-by-step, brick by brick, deed by deed.

When asked what set his father apart, his son Allen Goodwin said, “My father had an aura that engulfed every person he encountered, evoking the best in them because he honestly expected it. It was amazing to watch, like magic. He inspired those around him to excel.”

Skippy and George Goodwin in 1998

His Passion Was Atlanta

While George’s first and only love was Lois “Skippy” (Milstead) Goodwin, his wife of 65 years whom he married in 1940, Atlanta was his life-long passion. His stock and trade were friendships and civic connections, which he wove into coalitions that dared mighty things for decades. His final great civic contribution came in the fall of 2003 when Mayor Franklin and other leaders sought his advice on how to handle the controversy that had erupted over the renaming of Atlanta’s airport in the wake of former Mayor Maynard Jackson’s death in June that same year. Goodwin’s advice was archetypical in its succinct blend of historic accuracy, cultural respect, and reason: “The new name is clear to any reasonable person,” he told them. “Two great mayors, one great name: ‘Hartsfield-Jackson International.’”

Youth and Early Career, 1917 to 1939

The only son of Carrie (Clark) and George Goodwin, Sr., he was born June 20, 1917, and grew up in Atlanta’s west end near Gordon Street. His father was a travelling salesman for a fire extinguisher company, and after separating from young George’s mother, settled in Charlotte, North Carolina. As a single mother Carrie Goodwin was an indomitable, self-sufficient woman and an icon ruling as manager at the Ponce de Leon Apartments (North Avenue and Peachtree, now the Ponce Condominium) from 1913 into the 60s. She died there a resident at age 94 in 1989.

Yet Carrie was not alone in raising her son. In 1932, she moved to Morningside to live with her sister and brother-in-law, Anna and Ben Burgess, he a builder and developer of Cascade Heights and Morningside Park. While Carrie, Anna and Ben protected and shaped young George, George never lost the love for his father. “I was lucky,” he said of his childhood. “I had two mothers and two fathers. No boy could have wanted more.”

As a student at Boys High (now Grady High School), young Goodwin developed an avid interest in reading, writing, history and inquiry. A career in journalism called. Upon graduation from Boys High in 1934, Goodwin entered Washington & Lee University, graduating with an AB in Journalism in 1939. Returning home, the Atlanta Georgian, a former Hearst publication purchased that year by James M. Cox, gave him his first reporter’s job.

On December 15, 1939, Goodwin was among the pool of reporters who covered the star-studded, three-day premier of Gone With the Wind. Goodwin recalled accompanying Olivia de Havilland from a press event to the film premier at the Lowes Grand — a moment in his reporting career he would never forget, but one that would be eclipsed by his Pulitzer Prize in Journalism for distinguished Local Reporting nine years later. When the Atlanta Georgian merged with the Atlanta Journal in the days following the premier of GWTW, Goodwin left Atlanta to join the Charleston News & Courier (1940) and, soon after, the Washington Times-Herald (1940-1941).

The War Years, 1942 to 1945

George Goodwin and Skippy then moved to Miami where he joined the staff of the Daily News (1941-1942). Shortly after December 7, 1942 he enlisted in the Office of Naval Intelligence and took basic training in Santa Barbara, California. Ordered to Attu Island, the westernmost and largest island in the Near Islands group of the Aleutian Islands of Alaska, en route, foul weather delayed his connecting flight from Seattle. The plane he missed crashed that night, killing everyone on board. Goodwin was soon transferred to the Philippine Islands, tasked with gathering the nighttime reconnaissance reports from incoming torpedo boat squadrons. Japanese fighters often strafed his base and, in one instance, came close enough that an explosion injured Goodwin, earning him a Decorated Purple Heart.

During the war years, Goodwin wrote his wife every day, but his letters took two weeks to reach her. Goodwin spoke of the excruciating fear his wife then endured, not knowing where George was, or if he was alive. “Like many loved ones, Skippy endured that fear every day of the war,” he recalled. “Upon my safe return, she made me promise that when the time came, she wanted to be the first to go. She never again wanted to endure the agony of waiting to rejoin me.” God helped George keep his promise: Skippy Goodwin died peacefully on December 11, 2005.

Goodwin (circled) covered the 1946 Winecoff fire for the Atlanta Journal. His front page article began, "The Winecoff Hotel was a scene of garish, water-soaked terror Saturday morning..."

Atlanta Journal Years, 1945-1952

In 1945, Goodwin returned from war and was hired by the Atlanta Journal as staff writer assigned to cover City Hall. There, Goodwin began to form relationships with men and women such as William B. Hartsfield, Margaret Mitchell, Ralph McGill and Eugene Patterson that would define his career. On December 7, 1946, Goodwin covered the Winecoff Hotel fire, which remains America's deadliest hotel fire.  It was also at the Journal in 1948 he would win his greatest acclaim: Pulitzer Prize in Journalism for distinguished Local Reporting for outstanding coverage of what became known as “The Three Governor’s Affair.”

In November 1946 Eugene Talmadge won his fourth term as governor but died the next month. His death led to a special election, with three leading contenders: Ellis Arnall, Melvin Thompson and Eugene Talmadge’s son, Herman. While canvassing write-in election results in January 1947, state officials reported irregularities in voting patterns from Telfair County, the seat of Talmadge power. The Atlanta Journal sent Goodwin to investigate, and he phoned in his report from the McRae, Georgia train depot. On Sunday, March 2, 1947, the Atlanta Journal broke the story under a 150-point headline, “TELFAIR DEAD WERE VOTED.” The 29-year-old George Goodwin reported:

“Examination by Journal representatives revealed that the last 34 names on the list of 103 appeared in alphabetical order, starting with A and ending at K. It appeared impossible that 34 citizens anywhere could have appeared at the polls and voted in alphabetical order, starting with the first letter and stopping abruptly at K. So this reporter paid a visit to the Helena precinct [of Telfair County] to find there as many of these 34 persons he could and ask them some questions.”

Some, he reported, were alive but had not voted; others, he proved, were dead and couldn’t have voted. Goodwin’s report resolved the “Three Governor’s Affair,” chasing Herman Talmadge from his occupation of a desk inside the Governor’s office at the Georgia Capitol and leading to the Pulitzer Prize. His reporting and the historical events it precipitated were the most publicly celebrated achievement in his long career — yet his most significant contributions to Atlanta history were still to come.

Selling a Precocious Southern City, 1952 to 1964

Goodwin’s career in journalism ended at the Atlanta Journal in 1952. With Ralph McGill as Managing Editor and Eugene Patterson as City Editor, there wasn’t room for him at the top. Moreover, Skippy and he had two young sons, Clark Milstead (b. 1947) and Allen Burgess (b. 1951). The family needed more income than a beat reporter’s salary paid. Goodwin left the paper to become the first executive director of Central Atlanta Improvement Association (1952-54, now Central Atlanta Progress). Goodwin, by then one of the city’s most acclaimed and respected journalists, directed the association’s national media effort to promote Atlanta as a sought-after location for business and families. It was also here that he began to make his lasting mark as one of its most effective promoters and civic leaders, becoming friends with the leading businessmen and civic leaders of the day while collaborating with them on actions to improve the city and transform it into a place of national significance.

One of Goodwin’s collaborators at the association was James D. Robinson, chairman of First National Bank of Atlanta. Believing he could do more good by helping one of Atlanta’s largest financial institutions invest in Atlanta’s future, Goodwin was hired by the bank in 1954 as its Vice President of Advertising and Public Relations. Goodwin finally had the tools he needed to shape Atlanta’s future: financial power, civic influence and a wise and willing boss to whom he could deflect the glory. Goodwin served under Robinson until 1964 during which time Atlanta grew into a leading regional cultural and economic power and the South’s leading city.

Public Relations Career, 1964 to 1985

In 1962 Ivan Allen, Jr. took office as mayor. He was determined to maintain Atlanta’s economic and cultural ascendency. In 1961, his office published a white paper for revitalizing downtown Atlanta. Adopted by the Metro Atlanta Chamber, it became known as the “Six Point Forward Atlanta” plan, which, in turn, evolved into the second “Forward Atlanta” campaign (the first of which was led by Allen’s father, Ivan Allen, Sr. (1926-1929)). (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivan_Allen, _Jr.)

It was clear to committee leaders that a sustained national news media campaign was needed to promote the Forward Atlanta campaign. That George Goodwin would be the most qualified leader for such an effort was given, but rather than take a job at the Chamber, Goodwin decided to make it his first client: he opened the first national public relations agency south of Washington DC, the Atlanta office of New York-based Bell & Stanton public relations, later renamed Manning, Selvage & Lee.

Beginning in 1964 under George Goodwin’s leadership, the second Forward Atlanta campaign exceeded even Allen, Jr.’s lofty expectations, cementing both Goodwin and Allen as perhaps the most effective marketing team in the history of civic promotion. Said neighbor and friend Peter White, founder and president of the Southern Center for International Studies in Atlanta, “I recall George and Opie Shelton, then Chairman of the Metro Atlanta Chamber, sitting on the Goodwins’ back porch drafting the Forward Atlanta campaign. When they finished, they retired to Lake Lanier to hammer out the final plan with the entire committee. His involvement was not tangential — he was a co-author of the entire damn program!” Goodwin is also credited with coining the concept of “Coopetition” into the plan to encourage Atlanta’s fierce business competitors to join together to promote Atlanta’s greater economic good.

Forward Atlanta was a monumental success: during the 60s, Atlanta’s population grew more than 30 percent, ranking in the top ten in the nation in downtown construction, with more than 55 new buildings constructed and 22,000 new jobs created each year. By 1969, Atlanta’s unemployment rate was among the lowest of any big city in the country and the Atlanta Airport (now Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport), acquired its first direct international air routes and saw its ranking change from the tenth-busiest airport in the nation to the third busiest. (Source: Wikipedia, Ivan Allen, Jr.)

His reputation as a back stage facilitator of effective business partnerships and civic collaboration soared, mirroring Atlanta’s reputation as the city “too busy to hate,” a place where leaders steered a progressive path through the turbulent waters of desegregation and towards racial justice. While Goodwin never claimed Atlanta’s much-heralded success as his own, few business or civic leaders, then or now, would deny the tremendous role he played in them.

“The quality of thought that George represents became a beacon that blessed many institutions and many people and is one of the reasons why so many have wanted to move here.”

— Beauchamp Carr, former Chairman of Board of Advisors,

Woodruff Arts Center, 2011 Dan Sweat Awards Tribute

(Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeJeESOW59A)

Goodwin became known as Atlanta’s “Dean of Public Relations,” setting the highest professional standards for public service, integrity and honesty in a field often criticized for the notorious few who are known as mercenaries or spin-masters. The Public Relations Society of America’s Georgia Chapter named its highest honor the George Goodwin Award for Volunteer Service. (Source: http://www.prsageorgia.org)

Said Clyde Tuggle, Chief Public Affairs for Coca-Cola Service in a film tribute to Goodwin on the occasion of the 2011 Dan Sweat Award, “You know we all say, ‘If I could just have a touch of that George Goodwin wisdom, just a touch of insight and good judgment, boy, I’d be a lot more effective at what I do.’” (Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeJeESOW59A)

In the final two decades of his public relations and marketing career, Goodwin turned much of his attention to serving the needs and interests of clients, linking their success to Atlanta’s improvement. He was adept at finding and hiring young men and women of green talent whom he could mentor and put in place to do the legwork. To one young man who came to him for a job in 1985, he said, “Well, it seems we always seem to have too many chiefs around here and not enough Indians. We’re always looking for a few good Indians — come in and let’s see what we can do.” He hired the young man. Today, the many whom he championed are in significant positions at cultural, commercial, civic and philanthropic enterprises across Atlanta as public relations executives, civic leaders, cultural directors, business owners, journalists, and contributors to Goodwin’s lifelong cause: Atlanta’s good name.

Retirement, Quiet and Blue Birds, 2005 to 2015

In 1985, Goodwin retired as the head of Manning, Selvage & Lee/Atlanta, but that didn’t stop him. For the next 20 years, he came to work nearly every day until the death of his beloved wife Skippy in late 2005. By then his thirst for public relations and marketing had ebbed, but his mind remained as sharp as people half his age and his advice was still sought.

In the final five years of his life, Goodwin’s door remained open, relying on friend and caregiver, Jackee, to schedule visits and attend to his needs. Wearing an Atlanta Press Club baseball cap, seated in his favorite recliner in his den, Goodwin was surrounded by higgledy-piggledy stacks of books, haystacks of commendations and proclamations and the charred 2002 Winter Games Olympic torch he once carried through Atlanta en route to Salt Lake City. George relaxed and chatted with friends, with occasional meals at his favorite restaurant, Canoe, or visits to the Cherokee Club. He took time to read detective novels and revel in the stupendous love of his friends, children, grandchildren and, most recently, his first great-grandchild, Davey. When the weather was mild, he moved to his screened porch to enjoy the latest news from the 60^th generation of a blue bird family who enjoyed the abundance of his backyard feeders.

By the end of his life, George Goodwin had outlived most of his peers, so while fewer today may know much about the enormity of his contributions, he remained confident that Atlanta’s new generation of leaders would deliver their best — and serve Atlanta’s greater good.

The Truth Within

What those closest to George Goodwin will long remember are not lists of his enormous accomplishments and honors but instead the magnitude of the generosity and kindness he accorded us as individuals. They will remember not what he said, but what he asked, because those questions led them to the truth within. His questions led them to solutions that arose from their own hearts, making them more capable, more resilient, more tolerant citizens willing to serve others.

George Goodwin greeted every friend with his signature “Whadayaknow?” And as we talked to him, he’d sit patiently listening to us, saying few words. But somehow, in some magical way he alone possessed, he guided us up, out and beyond our fears and self-limitations. That he was there for you, that he cared for you, that this noble and wise man had time for you — was enough. He just made us feel so damn good. When he later bid us all farewell, he’d lean back in his chair, lift his eyebrows and looking at us with his bright, beautiful blue eyes and radiant smile. Then, with encouraging fist stabbing the air, he implored us forward, speaking to us in his soft, Southern baritone, “Fight On!”

George Goodwin with sons Allen (left) and Clark (center)
Photo by Bard Wrisley 2009

And so we did — and so we shall. Rest in peace George Goodwin. You’ve earned it. We, on the other hand, have work to do.

George Goodwin remembered here. 
Atlanta Press Club Hall of Fame tribute video here.

Robert and Harold Irvin

Robert Irvin Sr. 1920 - 2014

Robert Irvin Sr.

Harold Irvin

Winecoff fire survivor Robert Irvin Sr. passed away on Father’s Day, 2014. His brother Harold died in the 1946 fire at age 23. Both were Navy pilots who flew together in World War II until Robert was sent back to the United States to train more pilots while Harold served on a torpedo bomber squadron.

By 1946 the brothers were in Atlanta to interview for jobs as commercial pilots and staying at the Winecoff Hotel. It is believed that Harold had been offered a job as an Eastern Airline pilot. Friday night December 6th Harold and Robert were together, attending a party in the hotel, until Robert retired to room 806. Harold remained at the party. A few hours later they were separated by fire and only Robert survived. He was rescued by ladder from the eighth floor, as high as the ladders would reach. "I went down the ladder and left everything that I had in the room except the clothes that I had on," he said.

Robert Irvin Sr. later become a Delta Airlines pilot and flew for Delta until his retirement.


Robert Irvin Sr. Remained a Pilot Until Retirement

Photos courtesy of Robert Irvin Jr.

Maude Whiteman Biography by Chet Wallace

Maude Whiteman 1885-1971

Mrs. Maude Whiteman and Mrs. A. F. Geele Sr. occupied suite 1608-10-12 on the top floor. Mrs. Geele’s bedroom was 1608, Mrs. Whiteman was in 1610 and 1612 was used as a living room. Maude, age 61, was five feet tall and weighed 135 pounds and, according to her granddaughter, was “a little spitfire”. (6) Maude was the manager of the Winecoff Hotel cigar stand for the previous four years. People coming into the hotel were greeted by her smiling face just inside the door.

Maude Whiteman was born May 20, 1885. She was married to Banks Whiteman, who had passed away years before the fire, and they had two children. (6)

Maude was spending the night in the hotel because the Geele men were on a hunting trip and she was looking after Mrs. Geele Sr. She had probably been staying with Mrs. Geele for about a week. (6)

Mrs. Whiteman was awoken probably by the sirens and immediately went to the telephone and learned that the hotel was on fire. She opened the door and walked the twenty-five feet to the base of the stairs leading to the roof and could have easily made it there because the smoke hadn’t reached the top floor at that point. Mrs. Geele, bound to a wheelchair, was still in the suite and Maude realized that there was no way she could get her up the stairs. Returning to the suite Maude stuffed wet towels under the doors of each room, got Mrs. Geele into 1612 and placed her between the two open windows facing Ellis Street covering her with blankets.

Around 4:30am Maude heard Mrs. A. F. Geele Jr. calling from the room below saying the smoke was getting bad and they couldn’t stay in the room much longer and couldn’t go out into the hall. Maude decided to make a sheet rope out of six sheets tied together and attach it to the mullion between the two windows of 1612 and let it down to the window of 1512. She helped with getting Mrs. Geele Jr., her son John and her daughter Esther Geele into 1612 as well as helping Mr. J. W. Henry, Robert O’Connell and the Horne couple into the room.

In the process of rescuing this people she tore back muscles, pulled two ribs loose and twisted a vertebrae and permanent damage was caused. (1) She had back problems for the rest of her life as a result. (6)

Mrs. Banks Whiteman was led out of the hotel by a doctor and a fireman at 7:45am. At one point a fireman helping her down the stairs slipped. She said to him smiling “You’d better be careful there, young man, or I’ll have to help you down.” (3) She said of the whole incident “We prayed – all of us prayed.” (4)

Soon after the fire Maude Whiteman would be prompted to start writing her account “by request from people far and near who have called, written, and been to see me for information and advice as to what to do in case of fire.” (2) She intended for this account to be a book about her experience but ended up never finishing it. (6) In her account she offered ways of getting out of a burning building as well as her thoughts on laws that should be passed to prevent another catastrophe like the Winecoff fire. She wrote “No hotel is absolutely fireproof but all modern up to date hotels have facilities with which guests could prevent fire spreading if they would only remain calm, stop and think now “Just what can I do”. There are fire extinguishers and hose long enough to reach up and down the halls on each and every floor. Get out there and use them.”

“The horrible memory of the Winecoff fire brings back recollections of how very much I would have appreciated a pair of wings. As the fire was coming toward us it looked as if I would soon have them. Death seemed inevitable to those above the 9^th floor as that is as high as the firemen’s ladders could reach. All escapes had to be made from the outside as the halls were filled with smoke, no one could have penetrated it and lived more than a minute or two. Only those on the front of the building who climbed down sheet ropes and met the firemen on the ninth floor made their escape. Those who remained in their rooms on the higher floors and lived did it by dogged determination.” She said of the “many of those who jumped could have been saved if they had only waited for the firemen to rescue them. I, again, repeat don’t jump unless told to do so by those trying to rescue you. It only means sudden death.”

“One more thing that would prevent fire from giving headway in hotels is sufficient night watchmen service. If there were plenty of watchmen on the job they would detect the fire before it had time to spread”.

“It is up to the hotel men to make their place safe for their guest. There should be a card on the wall in each and every room with advice to the occupant as to what to do in case of fire. If your room has this information study it carefully before you retire. If it does not have it, demand information as to fire escapes”.

“Our city fathers should make it their business to see that the fire dept. is furnished adequate equipment with which to fight fires in tall buildings.”

“One last and most important thing is have faith in God call on Him. He will guide you through.” (2)

Atlanta Fire Chief C. C. Styron sent Mrs. Whiteman a letter of recognition in August of 1947. In part it described her heroic efforts. “Mrs. Whiteman closed the transom and kept all openings packed with wet towels and poured water on the door to keep it from igniting. She also made a rope from sheets for several tenants on the 15^th floor and helped them reach the 16^th floor.

It is my opinion that Mrs. Whiteman’s forethought and heroic action saved several lives in this fire.” (5)

After the fire Mrs. Whiteman retired, because of her back problems. Her son-in-law was a doctor and he took her to his home in Thomasville, Georgia to recuperate. She did stay active socially and became a member of the Joel Chandler Harris association. (6) Mrs. Whiteman passed away on August 31, 1971 and is interred in Greenwood Cemetery in Atlanta.

Sources:

1. Winecoff Hotel stationary account
2. Whiteman account of Winecoff fire experience.
3. New York Times Dec. 8, 1946 pg. 29.
4. Unknown Atlanta newspaper
5. Letter of recognition from Atlanta Fire Chief C. C. Styron
6. McCrae/Wallace phone interview 2013.
7. Greenwood Cemetery records

Goodwin Speaks at Bowman Book Signing

Eloise Buck

Her Story:
Born in Monroe, Washington in 1906, Eloise Buck was an award winning student in high school and at the University of Oregon.

The Gerlinger Cup is Still Awarded Annually by The University of Oregon

Achievements:
Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority member.

Phi Beta Kappa scholastic honorary.

Women's League leader.

Elected to the Mortar Board, senior women's national honorary society.

Active in YWCA.

Won the Gerlinger Cup, awarded to the most outstanding Junior woman student in 1925.

In 1929 she earned her Masters Degree at Wellesley College in Massachusetts.

Eloise Buck in 1940. Assistant English Professor at The Oregon College of Education.

She served as the Maid of Honor at her brother Pete's wedding in Salem, Oregon 1940. She was living and teaching in Salem when the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor occurred - exactly five years before the Winecoff fire. She wrote this (mis-dated) letter to her sister Florence in St. Louis the day after the Sunday morning attack.

Click To Enlarge

Later Buck Joined The Faculty At Washington University in St. Louis.

Her final years were spent as an admissions counselor for the Katherine Gibbs School in New York, a top notch secretarial college with a fervent emphasis on grammar and writing skills. The Gibbs School turned out highly polished and capable executive secretaries - white gloves to the elbows. While in New York she lived in the Barbizon Hotel for Women.

On November 15, 1946 she began a recruiting trip through the South. Her visit to Atlanta was likely timed to coincide with the Youth Assembly convention at the state capitol. She declined an offer to stay at Agnes Scott College for fear of imposing. She checked into the Winecoff Hotel on December 6th. She died in room 1124 of multiple burns at age 40. Her brother, Pete, was mightily affected by the passing of his sister whom he so admired. Their mother was never told the actual cause or circumstances of her daughter's death, only that she had suffered a heart attack.

Eloise Buck and her brother Robert

She rests at the Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery - Snohomish County, Washington - near where she was born.

Full biography is here.

Eloise Buck Biography

A Winecoff Fire Biography by Chet Wallace

Eloise Buck was born June 18, 1906 to Alpheus Buck and Hattie Hoem Buck. Her father Alpheus owned a lumber business. She had a sister Florence and two brothers Robert and Peter. Eloise grew up in Eugene, Oregon and was quite an equestrian and loved to ride horses. Her parents had a ranch which had horses and she grew up around them. Eloise was very extroverted and outgoing and was about five foot nine. All of Eloise’s siblings were very close to one another. Eloise was kept out of school for awhile because she was so much younger than her classmates. She was a brilliant student as well as her sister Florence. Robert tended to not do his homework and would love to play tennis and basketball. His older sister Florence was always trying to reform him and get him to do his homework whereas Eloise thought that it was wonderful that her brother could play tennis and basketball.  

While attending high school Eloise won the Sidney Terrill cup award for an oration contest. In 1911, A.C. Terrill, the first general secretary of the Eugene Y.M.C.A., offered a silver cup in honor of his deceased wife. This prize was given to the two best orators at the high school for each year. The winners would have their names inscribed on the cup and they were kept at the school. The orations were delivered at an assembly at the high school gymnasium and Eloise gave a speech entitled “Memories of the Last Island.”

Eloise was a graduate of the University of Oregon graduating in three years. She was Phi Beta Kappa like her sister. She was on the Mortar Board, the senior women’s national honorary society, and was president of the campus chapter. The organization was established at the University of Oregon in 1923. A 2.9 scholarship average was required to be eligible for the Mortar Board in addition to activity and service qualifications. Eloise, as president of the chapter, had given the word one year that instead of active senior members electing new women the choices would be made by the junior women. “We want every girl to give her honest opinion, and it must be an individual, not a group vote, every girl signing her name to the vote. Political pull must not enter into the election at all.”

Eloise arranged for a full weekend program of entertainment for the Mortar Board biennial section convention on the University of Oregon campus on the weekend of November 21-22, 1925. Representatives arrived from different Universities of the northwest including the University of Idaho and Washington University. Eloise urged that every house welcoming guests to extend the utmost cordiality. “They are leaders on their respective campuses and will undoubtedly carry their impressions of Oregon to their colleges”. A campus tour was scheduled first thing for Saturday morning. Noon would bring lunch entertained by the various houses. A business meeting was held from 1pm to 3pm and then a tea was given in honor of the guests at the Alumni Hall. At 4pm the business meeting resumed and then at 6:30 a formal dinner was given at the Eugene Hotel.

Eloise won the Gerlinger Cup while attending the University of Oregon which was an award for the most outstanding student who was a junior. It was awarded to her at the annual junior prom but wasn’t given to her that night because it was still at the jewelers. That night must have been wonderful and beautiful for Eloise with a combination of fifteenth century French decorations and beautiful lighting effects.

Eloise was on the honor roll several times at UO along with her sister Florence. Florence was elected president of the Y.M.C.A. and was chosen to be a delegate to the national convention of the Y.M.C.A. held in New York. Eloise was always active in the Y.M.C.A. as well. In her sophomore year at UO she was in charge of membership education work under the membership chairman. The following year she handled the financial part of the organization as chairman of finance. While under this capacity she organized a finance campaign which was very successful. She also was in charge of the senior breakfast given by the Y.M.C.A. in honor of the senior women on the campus. For her senior year she was on the Y.M.C.A. council as the chairman in charge of meetings.

Eloise was on the committee for the Women’s League during her time at UO also. She would be involved in such things as a style show for a high school conference and was also on the executive council as president of the heads of houses. She was also president of the French Club. She had also taken part in the doughnut athletic games sponsored by the women’s Athletic Association. Her average was always well above the University of Oregon average. She was known for two aspects….poise and leadership.

She received a master’s degree from Wellesley College outside of Boston in 1929. She was very close in age to Florence and they had both attended Wellesley College together. Both sisters got their master degrees in English. At one point during this time Eloise stayed in a house owned by Katharine Lee Bates, who wrote the words to America the Beautiful. She wrote a letter to Eloise that was eloquently put talking about the accommodations she had to offer to Eloise.

Eloise, at the time of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, lived at Apartment 510 1000 Chemeketa Street in Salem, Oregon. She wrote a letter to her sister Florence in St. Louis on the evening of December 7th which says in part….”Well, it’s here, and it is much stranger than anything Orson Welles thought up. All our radio stations are off the air here and black-outs have been ordered at eleven tonight and every night until further notice. From mid west radio stations has come word of planes – unidentified – over San Francisco, but I guess it was a false alarm. It’s a curious feeling to try to imagine what it would be like if a bomb came through the roof of the Royal Court!”

“Everything that seemed important on Saturday has sunk to the rank of trivia or unreality. My smugness at having finished almost all of my Christmas shopping has vanished, and I am almost apprehensive at moving into a somewhat more expensive apartment. However, things will get back on a more normal basis after we have become used to the idea of our actually being participants.”

Later she writes “I am eager to hear what Warner (Florence’s husband) has to say about the possible length of the conflict – most people seem to feel it will take many years. Peter was here for a few minutes last night and seemed to take it for granted that he would have to go – probably volunteer – eventually, and I suppose that nothing can save Robert now.

Nothing seems clear or simple any more. All my love, Eloise”

During the war Eloise was a hospital aid at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. One time, in idle moments, Eloise and other members of the staff would make scrapbooks to send overseas to soldiers for army camps and troop trains. These scrapbooks contained everything from clippings of pin-up girls from magazines to cartoons.

Eloise worked at the Katherine Gibbs School at the time of the fire and lived at the Barbizon on Lexington Avenue in New York City for a time. A letter to a friend suggests that she was trying to acquire an apartment at one point. She also says in the letter…”I shall be traveling this year, but I’m hoping for a tour through the Carolinas and Georgia in November. We shall see.”

Eloise listed her address on the Winecoff Hotel register as being from St. Louis, Missouri. She was on a speaking tour at the time so it is not known exactly if she was living with her sister Florence or not. Her stop before Atlanta was in Charleston, South Carolina. She was in Charleston since the day before Thanksgiving because she writes a letter to her sister Florence on Francis Marion Hotel stationary Thanksgiving night. She says that the food at the Francis Marion Hotel was horrible and planned to go to the Fort Sumter Hotel for dinner. “And how I wish for your car! You’d be surprised how hard it is to cover all Charleston by foot.” Later she writes “Happily, the rain has stopped. It was pouring last night when we arrived at the airport. The office still has not been able to get a hotel reservation for me in Atlanta, but the moment they do I’ll either write or wire you, in case you decide to make the trip.” Florence never made the trip for some reason. Eloise had invited her to join her in Atlanta so they could go antique shopping and also planned to make a trip to New Orleans.

She also wrote a postcard to Florence on December 2, 1946. She says in part “Charleston enthralls me completely.” Later she says “If only I could buy a house and settle down here!” During her stay she also mentions visiting Magnolia Plantation and Gardens in Charleston and seeing the beautiful gardens and thousands of camillias blooming.

When Eloise arrived in Atlanta she checked into the Winecoff Hotel in room 1124. It is not known what happened to her in the fire but it was believed she died of smoke inhalation with her body found in her room.

When Eloise died her brother Peter never got over it. He was afraid of fire for the rest of his life. He would get nervous in a confined space particularly below the surface of the ground. Eloise was his champion and he had trouble coping without her. All of the siblings were crazy about Eloise so it was a shock to all of her siblings. Florence was somewhat introverted but a very talented person and she looked up to Eloise because she was so vivacious and outgoing. Robert loved his sister dearly but didn’t know her as well because she was out of the house by the time he was growing up.

Her sister Florence received a heartfelt telegram from the University of Oregon College of Education…..”From the grieving faculty and students of the Oregon College of Education we send to Eloise’s family sincerest sympathy….and that her beauty and literary spirit may be an enduring memory for us and a precious tradition for all who love beautiful words. We are establishing today the Eloise Buck memorial award for excellence in English Scholarship. With humility and devotion may we in this way perpetuate her presence among us.”

Her brother Robert really didn’t talk about Eloise that much. It seems that he didn’t know much about what happened to his sister in the fire. It was a tragic family event that the family didn’t talk about. In fact relatives never told Eloise’s mother that she had died in the fire because they felt it would be too upsetting for her. They told her that Eloise had died of a heart attack. Eloise’s mother Hattie was very difficult to deal with and were afraid of how she would react.

Sources:
Hazel Buck/Wallace phone interview – February 2012
Eugene, Oregon newspaper
Bill Buck/Wallace phone interview – February 27, 2012

Mary Minor Photos