The handsome remodeled Hermitage which was Mr. Morrison’s and Nashville’s pride was destined, however, to a career of short duration. In October, 1834, it caught fire and was, with the exception of the dining-room wing and its sturdy brick walls, destroyed. The catastrophe is described in the _Nashville Republican_ of October 14, 1834, as follows: “The Hermitage Burnt—Yesterday evening about 4 o’clock the roof of the Hermitage was discovered to be on fire, and all attempts to arrest the progress of the flames proving unavailing, the entire edifice, with the exception of the room attached to the northern end and used as a dining room, was in a few hours consumed. The valuable furniture in the lower story was fortunately saved, though much broken and otherwise injured in getting it out. That in the second story was, we understand, chiefly destroyed. The fire is supposed to have been communicated to the roof by the falling of a spark from one of the chimneys, and there being a breeze from the northwest, the progress of the flames was proportionably rapid. The numerous and valuable private papers of the President were probably all preserved. “We need not add that the event has occasioned to this community deep and universal regret.” Letters from Bassett’s _Correspondence of Andrew Jackson_, give further details of the fire. On October 14, 1834, Col. Robert Armstrong, Nashville’s postmaster, wrote: “My dear Genl. Your son and Majr. Donelson have both written you the perticulars of the unfortunate burning of the Hermitage House. We heard the news Last evening but not the extent of the Damage. I sent One of the Young men Out of the Office up After supper who returned by Sun up this morning. I learned from Majr. D. and the Young man I sent up that all the furniture and valuables with the papers, letter Books, etc., have been with the exception of some furniture upstairs (the Wardrobe and Large bedstead) saved. Some few things were singed in getting out but on the whol I expect everything was done that could be done and I have no doubt it was purely accidental. The House can be rebuilt on the Old Site for $2,000 or 2,500. The dineing room wing is but Little injured. I will go up this evening to see your Son and also Mr. Rife, the Carpenter doing Majr. D. work, and the one who built my House and will write you in a day or two. I will see what will be his estimate and Austins for its Complete Rebuilding and inform you....” Stockley Donelson, General Jackson’s nephew, wrote on the same day, giving details of the fire.