A True Adventure Story

The life of Alonzo McClellan "Mac" Fyffe (A. M. Fyffe) reads like a chapter from an adventure story.

 Born at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, November 29, 1862, in the strenuous days of the Civil War, Mac was left an orphan at the age of three years with two sisters, one eighteen and the other eight years old. He was the only son of Benjamin and Elizabeth Ann Fyffe.

 His father was a soldier, and on one of his brief furloughs with his family, succumbed to diseases contracted in the army. His wife's death followed three weeks later and the three orphaned children started on their long journey overland to relatives in Illinois.

On their way they were caught in a disastrous prairie fire and escaped with their lives by seeking refuge in a pond where they stood waist deep in water until the flames had passed. They lost their horses, wagon, papers and everything of value. In company with another survivor of the ill-fated wagon train they set out afoot without provisions and after many weary days fell in with a wagon train of soldiers on their way to St. Louis.

One of the soldiers became enamored of the eight - old girl and kidnapped the child, taking her to his home. The elder sister in desperation appealed to the officers and one of them rescued the child and restored her to the little family. In the meantime, “Mac” became the pet of the regiment and to the day of his death never forgot their rough, kindly comradeship.

 From St. Louis the children were sent to relatives in Lawrence County, the whole journey occupying about a year. Here the orphaned boy was received with every kindness, and in the home of his uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Washington Lehr, grew to manhood.

 Mac was married December 22, 1885, to Miss Jennie Eshelman of Bridgeport, and to this union one child was born, Elizabeth.

Mac was a member of the Methodist church in Sumner but on moving to Lawrenceville transferred his membership to the church there. He was immediately placed on the board and served continuously until he died.

  In April, 1898, he formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, C. F. Eshelman, who at time was the circuit clerk, and, under the name of A. M. Fyffe and Co., opened a hardware and implement store in Lawrenceville. Starting on a small scale the business grew under his careful guidance. (709 12th Street West side of the Square.)

 Mac passed away at his home on West Dubois Street August 27 ,1920, at age 57 years, 8 months and 28 days. Death was due to cerebral apoplexy. He had been in failing health for more than a year and had spent some time in the Olney Sanitarium for kidney trouble.

After working all day in the store, he attended the band concert that night. He was seized with an attack of acute indigestion, and by 3:30 am his wife discovered he was unconscious. A doctor was called but Mac passed away half an hour later without regaining consciousness.