An account of the fire in a Nashville newspaper of October 14th announced the event in the following words: “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, we understand, was 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 at the time a light breeze from the northwest the progress of the flames was proportionately 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.” [Illustration: The dignified simplicity of the Hermitage’s front door was typical of the Southern plantation houses of the early nineteenth century. Throughout Old Hickory’s lifetime this door was ever open to a stream of visitors from all walks of life, and all sure of a cordial welcome.] [Illustration: Rear view of the house, showing one of the original old maple trees.] [Illustration: An old print showing General Jackson’s greeting of Marquis Lafayette in the library of the Hermitage.] [Illustration: One of the original slave cabins. Occupied by Uncle Alfred until the time of his death.] President Jackson was promptly advised of the fire in letters from his adopted son; from Stockley Donelson, his nephew; and from Colonel Robert Armstrong, postmaster at Nashville and one of Jackson’s strongest personal and political friends.