A Matter of Degree: The Hartford Circus Fire The Mystery of Little Miss 1565 ebook

by Rick Davey,Don Massey

Rick Davey Don Massey Performing Arts English

The Hartford Circus Fire happened 11 years before I was born, but it must have . a very sad yet interesting story about finding the true identity of "little miss 1565" who was a victim of the hartford,conn. circus fire of july 5th 1944. 3 people found this helpful.

The Hartford Circus Fire happened 11 years before I was born, but it must have been a vivid experience for my parents. One Christmas, they gave me an Emmett Kelly doll that stands about two feet tall. It wasn't until I was a little older that the circus fire crept into my mind and heart. I wanted to know more and more about what happened. I would read the articles in the Hartford Courant when they published stories on the anniversary of the fire.

A Matter of Degree book. The Hartford Circus Fire happened 11 years before I was born, but it must have been a vivid experience for my parents. Lieutenant Rick Davey's internationally publicized re-investigation of the celebrated case resolved the mysteries swirling around the suspicious blaze that destroyed the Ringling circus and killed 168 people, including an 8-year-old victim known for over 50 years as "Little Miss 1565.

In 1991, arson investigator Rick Davey (along with co-writer Don Massey) published A Matter of Degree: The Hartford Circus Fire and Mystery of Little Miss 1565, in which he claims the girl was Eleanor Emily Cook and from Massachusetts. Davey also contends that there was a conspiracy within the judicial system to convict the Ringling defendants, and that Segee was the arsonist.

Real Name: Unknown Case: Unidentified Remains Date: 1944 Location: Hartford, Connecticutt. Details: Little Miss 1565 is the morgue designation given to a young girl who died in the Hartford, Connecticut circus fire of 1944. The fire took place during a performance on July 6, 1944. It is regarded as one of the worst fire disasters in . Over 160 people died, many more were injured. The tent had been coated with paraffin for waterproofing and went up in a matter of minutes.

The Hartford circus fire, which occurred on July 6, 1944, in Hartford, Connecticut .

The Hartford circus fire, which occurred on July 6, 1944, in Hartford, Connecticut, was one of the worst fire disasters in the history of the United States. The fire occurred during an afternoon performance of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus that was attended by approximately 7,000 people. An estimated 167-169 people died and more than 700 were injured. In 1991, arson investigator Rick Davey (along with co-writer Don Massey) published A Matter of Degree: The Hartford Circus Fire and Mystery of Little Miss 1565, in which he claims the girl was Eleanor Emily Cook and from Massachusetts.

Rick Davey and Don Massey have crafted a masterpiece with A Matter of Degree. The Hartford Circus Fire and the Mystery of Little Miss 1565. From beginning to end, the story sweeps you into the true emotion

Rick Davey and Don Massey have crafted a masterpiece with A Matter of Degree. From beginning to end, the story sweeps you into the true emotion. Not only does the reader feel the terror of the Cook's escape from the tent, they also cry tears of joy when Eleanor finally comes home. Kudos to Davey and Massey for creating this incredible work of art. A book like this can only be the result of years of craftsmanship. Expect to be moved in a major way. Popular Categories.

Little Miss 1565/Hartford Circus fire" according to Jackie. Gave new details about Honey and the fire that other books did not have, it is nice to see that the unknown child was finally identified, A MATTER OF DEGREE has been chosen as a finalist in ForeWord Magazine's BOOK OF THE YEAR Awards in the history category for 2001. Composed by Howard Hersh, with a libretto by Francesca Hersh, the piece presents the facts surrounding the Hartford Circus Fire in a context intended to demonstrate the impact of human suffering and the redemptive power of forgiveness.

A Matter of Degree The Hartford Circus Fire & The Mystery of Little Miss 1565 RICK DAVEY's internationally publicized re-investigation of the celebrated.

A Matter of Degree The Hartford Circus Fire & The Mystery of Little Miss 1565.

A Matter of Degree is a true story and the definitive account of a renowned fire investigator and the nine-year mission of the heart that led to the discovery of arson and political conspiracy in the 1944 Ringling circus fire, an American tragedy equal in scope to the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. LT. RICK DAVEY's internationally publicized re-investigation of the celebrated case resolved all of the mysteries swirling around the suspicious blaze that destroyed the Ringling circus and killed 168 people--including a beautiful but unknown 8-year-old girl who was known for 50 years as "Little Miss 1565."

riki

I finished reading "Circus Fire" By Stewart O'Nan and I decided to read "A Matter of Degree" as a comparison. "A Matter of Degree" was terrible, it was obviously written by someone who had made up his mind who started the fire long before he ever researched it. Rick Davey clearly got his 15 minutes of fame from the publicity surrounding the previously never identified "Little Miss 1565". If you want a more acurate account of the fire and the aftermath read "Circus Fire". Stewart O'Nan had nothing to prove by investigating the fire and the circumstances surrounding the identity of "Little Miss 1565" Because of this "Circus Fire" is clearly a better story and it is certainly more neutral simply because the author was an outsider who was able to look at the facts and tell it like it was.
The worst part of the whole story was the supposed identitiy of "Little Miss 1565" as Eleanor Emily Cook. It is highly unlikely that Miss 1565 was Eleanor, but Rick Davey set out to prove that she was who he wanted her to be. He did so by ignoring basic rules of identification. Her height was off, her teeth didn't match up with Eleanor's and her hair was not the color or texture of Eleanor's.
Very poorly written, all around a dreadful book filled with multiple inaccuracies.

watchman

This reader agrees with the reviewer who called "A Matter of Degree" "revisionist history of the worst kind." Hartford, Connecticut arson investigator Rick Davey was obsessed with a mystery surrounding a circus fire that took place in Hartford on July 6, 1944. A little girl (known as Little Miss 1565) was trampled by panicking circus-goers and died that same day in the hospital. Her body was never claimed and, although she was one of six unidentified corpses, she was a special case. Many of casualties of the fire were burned so badly that dental records had to be used for identification. Little Miss 1565 looked barely touched save for a burn mark on her left cheek. Still, no one recognized her, so she was buried with the other unknowns.

The mystery continued to intrigue people through the years especially with the circulation of a funeral parlor photograph of Miss 1565. Finally, Davey set out to identify the girl. After years of investigation, he decides it is Eleanor Cook and Miss 1565 is re-buried under that name. The problem is that the facts do not fit the conclusion. According to "The Circus Fire" by Stewart O'Nan, Eleanor Cook and Little Miss 1565 do not match up based on the evidence. Cook was taller, older, had more permanent teeth, and was wearing a different outfit. Her relatives, including her mother, saw Little Miss 1565 in the morgue and determined it was not Eleanor. Another unidentified girl (1503) actually fit Eleanor's physical traits better, but was badly burned.

It is unfortunate to level a poor rating on this book because most people who know this story want to put a name on Little Miss 1565, but what good is putting a wrong name on her? Her brother Donald believes Little Miss 1565 is his sister but he was a child when he knew her. Eleanor's mother Mildred Cook resisted the identification but finally relented which makes this reader wonder if she just went along with it to have closure. Although dead is dead, it is no doubt more comforting to believe a body that looks like its sleeping is one's loved one rather than a body burned beyond recognition. There is a photo of Mildred Cook sitting by her daughter's grave which is doubly sad when one considers she may have still believed in her heart that the little girl in the grave was not really Eleanor. She actually received some criticism after the identification by people questioning how a mother would not claim her own daughter for so long.

"A Matter of Degree" is a case where the facts aren't allowed to get in the way of a heart-warming story. The title of the book also seems inappropriate. It is mentioned in the prologue that the phrase was used as the difference between commitment and obsession. Still, the word "degree" when it comes to this subject, can only make one think of the heat of the flames. 167 people died in the fire and they were not granted the mercy of dying from smoke inhalation, but were burned to death.

Shezokha

When I was young, I remember my parents telling me about this most terrible event. The Hartford Circus Fire happened 11 years before I was born, but it must have been a vivid experience for my parents. One Christmas, they gave me an Emmett Kelly doll that stands about two feet tall. It wasn't until I was a little older that the circus fire crept into my mind and heart. I wanted to know more and more about what happened. I would read the articles in the Hartford Courant when they published stories on the anniversary of the fire.
Then, many years later, I learn of this book and just had to purchase it. I had heard about Little Miss 1565, but never knew her story in great detail. This book not only answered the question of who she was, but it also delved deep into the background of negligence by Hartford authorities who failed to ensure the safety of the circus performers and its attendees who came to have a pleasurable distraction from the war news of WWII and ended up experiencing the most horrific tragedy to ever rock Hartford.
The day the clowns cried.
I have been to the memorial at the site of the circus on Barbour St. and until you see the location in person, you can't begin to grasp the enormity of this disaster.
This book was a fascinating read and I strongly recommend it to those of you who want to learn the truth of the Hartford Circus Fire. It will make you angry. It will make you cry. It will answer all your questions.

Katishi

Sad story, but so well written

Ndav

for non writers who manipulate everything to suit their conceptions. the FACTS completely debunk this book. Thankfully, these men will fade; the true mysteries remain unanswered waiting, perhaps, for someone without personal gain to cull through, define and present. What a nasty book.