News From The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum

[RJNorton]

I am not sure if this is the same letter Joe D. mentioned above, but I came across this descrption of Stone's valiant effort to save the document:

"At this moment a terrible blast of wind, fire and smoke
filled the entire Ontario Street in front. The entire casement of
the front window was in a blaze, hanging like feathers on every
inch of the window. I immediately hurried down into the
reception room to get the record book and Lincoln Proclama-
tion. Not finding the record book I attempted to break the
frame containing the Proclamation to take from it the Procla-
mation and fold it under my coat, it being in a stout frame.
Not a moment more to stop. Abandoned the frame. At this
moment again the wind and fire filled the whole heavens
frightfully, dashing fire brands against the reception room
windows. A chinking I heard seemed from above, probably
from the upper window or roofing broke in. Believing a minute
more to try to save the Proclamation would be too late for my
escape, I next made for the basement door, stamped fire out of
two bundles and canted back the trunk to escape. The strong
suffocation from smoking bundles outside of basement door
prevented. I then tore open the third bundle (smoking),
snatched from it a shawl, covered my head and sprang out with
[as] much speed as possible, leaving the door little open. I
could not shut it."