This page contains two poems, one about a fire and the other about death, as well as a short piece called "Love Admiration" and Harris' obituary that was added after her death.

The Terrible Conflagration of March 22, 1916
To Death
Love Admiration
Elizabeth Harris Taken by Death

'Twas just a year ago today.
When the great conflagration swept away
The city's buildings large and small,
A terrible shock ot one and all.

The terrific winds blew swift and high
Pushing the flames toward the sky,
The rich and poor were troubled together.
In tender sympathy for one another.

'Twas a sad and piteous sight to behold.
The dreadful news were quickly told.
Many were homeless and shocked with grief.
While others came to offer relief.

They called for help from neighboring towns.
To which they quickly did respond.
In spite of the winds, as the buildings burned.
The waters on the flames were turned.

After several hours the flames were subdued,
Which left the ruins to be plainly viewed.
Many valuable things were lost.
Regardless of quality or of cost.

The town ye stands with a few broken places,
Like scars on many human faces.
It is hoped ere the repeat of another great flame,
That time, money, and work, will replace the same.

To Death
Ready But Not Always Willing

Death is a constant visitor
And he knocks at every door.
He comes by day and he comes by night
To the homes of the rich and poor

Yet when he makes this final call
We are not always willing to go.
But we are ready, according to our deeds
For the home above or below.

When on our bed with afflictions and pain
So tired, and weary and sore.
We that are faithful, and pure in heart
Are waiting and willing to go.

But to those that have spent their days in sin
With reluctance they answer the call.
They see their doom, with no chance to win
Through darkness they fall,

How say we are ready, but unwilling to go
Is the question to understand,
Through sin, we are ready for the home below
Through faith for that better land.

So let us begin, and hold out to the end
Be ready and willing to go.
Live faithful and true to God's command
And dwell with him evermore.

Elizabeth Johnson Harris

Augusta Ga.

Love Admiration
(By Mrs. E.J. Harris)

"Just a few words to our dear young girls." My dear girls, study well, and be careful not to be mistaken in ADMIRATION for love.  Certainly ADMIRATION is a precedence of love, and in many cases LOVE follows ADMIRATION.  But ADMIRATION alone is not the sure or real love. Yet many of our weak-minded young folks, both boys and girls are so often mistaken in simple ADMIRATION for real love.  You may often receive many high compliments in various forms from a friend or friends in your presence or absence, regarding your good looks, lovely complexion, beautiful form, enchanting manners or manner of entertaining, etc.  Still these may imply simple ADMIRATION without the slightest thought of real love and yet these compliments often bear on the weak mind, that they have made a "Mash" and that Mr. or Miss -- is "Dead stuck on me.  Now these sayings in compliments may be true and ever witnessed by more than one or two.  But yet we so often find them to end up only as compliments from simple ADMIRATION and not meant for real love. Occassionly we find some of the older set so very proud of the same compliments, yet weak to real meaning.  Still is not so effective in their line.  But to the younger set, especially our dear girls, let me advise you to avoid criticism and slander, study deep with a broad view into your own future, and be not mistaken or misled in the form of admiration for real love.  

Elizabeth Harris Taken by Death

Elizabeth Johnson Harris, respected colored resident of the hill section, died at her home, 2438 Cumming Road, Monday morning.  She was well and favorably known by both white and colored citizens.  At the age of 8 years she was converted and baptized at Trinity C.M.E. Church, during the pastorate of the late Rev. Edward West and was a devoted member of Trinity for 60 years.

Funeral arrangements will be announced later by Dent's Undertaking Establishment.

The deceased is survived by two daughters, two daughters-in-law, four sons, five grandchildren, one great-grandchild, several nieces nephews.

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