Muddy River News to look back on St. Francis School fire of 1899

Beginning Dec. 1, Muddy River News will present a series of stories about the St. Francis School fire in December 1899 when 12 girls burned to death in one of saddest chapters of the Quincy community’s history.  

This series is written by Carolyn Freas Rapp and dedicated to her mother-in-law, Lucille Middendorf Rapp, whose father, George Middendorf, was present at the fire, and cousin, Colletta, was one of the girls lost.  Ms. Rapp is a writer, storyteller, book lover, traveler, and mother of three grown children.  She lives with her husband, Michael T. Rapp, in McLean, Va.  She also is the author of “Garden Voices: Stories of Women & Their Gardens,” published by Water Dance Press.  

Muddy River News is community journalism. Our Home. Our News. Storytelling is an important part of this. We welcome contributors to share stories and material of interest to the community. 

Email: news@muddyrivernews.com