The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1885-01-31
THE BEAUTIFUL HOME
Of Hon. Lewis Baker Destroy.
ed by Ffre-Iusured. but n
Loss Money Can Never Re.
p1ace-PrObable Encemdiar.

From the Wheeling Register OF the 77nd inst
About three o'clock yesterday
morning the beautiful country resi-
dence of Hon. Lewis Baker, just this
side of Elm Grove was totally de-
stroyed by fire. Nothing but two
blackened chimneys and pile of
smoldering ashes mark the spot it
once occupied, the former standing
out in sorrowful relief in spot once
so beautiful. The flames originated
in the northeast wing of the second
floor, and the building being of or
namental wood was rapidly consum-
ed. Mr. Baker and his family are
residing on Twelfth street, and the
house was in charge of Fred Rensa-
laer who, with his wife and five chill
dren, occupied a rear annex. The
first intimation Of the fire he had
was the roaring Of the flames, and
the destruction by the fire was so
rapid that he and his family barely
escaped with their lives and few
effects. In few moments the fierce
flames had enveloped the building,
and half hour afterward found it
leveled with the ground. Not an ar
ticle could be removed, and the en-
tire collection of household goods,
including the furniture. piano, pic
lures and library were consumed in
the fire. The house was built by Mr..
Baker some years ago, and year by
wear he had added to it, as occasion
suggested, until it was completed as
one of the most beautiful and com
Portable houses in the State In the
course of a quarter Of century OF
married life Mr.. Baker had gathered
those thousand and one articles dear
to the household heart, and valuable
beyond price, and which money can
not now restore or replace. He had a
valuable library and a collection OF
family portraits which are now ire
coverably lost.
| SUPPOSED INCENDIARIsM.
1t is believed the fire was the work
of incendiarism, for several reasons
taken into consideration with the at
tack on Allen Davis toll house
printed elsewhere. The lower fool
was securely locked up and any en-
trace would have been detected al
once. The fire broke out in a re
mote spot, where none had ever beer
and no hypothesis of rats, mice OIL
spontaneity, would satisfactorily ae
count for it. The accepted belief is
that thieves got into the second story
ransacked the building and then, by
accident or with intent to cover theil
tracks, set fire to the building.
Several miners, living in the vi
entity, who get up very early, saw
two men at different points, hurrvine
down the Hempfield track away from
the fire. One was-questioned abou
the fire and said hurriedly that h,
knew nothing about it. On the ev
ening before several unusually impu
dent tramps were in the neighbor
hood of Mr.. Kimberly's residence
which fact may have some connection
with the fire.
| MIR. BAKER IDEAS.
Mr.. Baker was very much grieveG
at the destruction Of his work o
years in providing an attractive home
for his family, and especially at thu
loss Of family relics and souvenirs
He was quite at loss to account fol
the fire, unless it was incendiary
Said he:
81 am 10th to believe it possible
any human being could have set fire
to my house, and especially as it was
occupied by family. Yet 1 viii
pay reward of $500 for the arres
and conviction of the person or per-
sons who performed the dastardly
deed, if it was the act of any one
Mr.. Baker also expressed himself
as deeply grateful to the neighbors
who had labored earnestly but una
vailingly to save his property.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIRE.
When once the flames got head
way, their work was rapid and fright
full The light cast in the sky was
intense, and one might have been
able to read fine print at long dis
lance. A high wind prevailing aid
ed the fire very much. In the attic
was a number of magazines, and
when the roof was gone, these were
seized by the wind and flung like
blazing torches many yards away
The neighboring building of Mr.
Askew underwent perfect lombard
ment, while fragments were hurled
over to the residence of Mr.. Horn
brook on the opposite hill. 1t was a
fearful yet magnificent scene.
The destruction was complete
The house, ice house and dairy were
burned to the ground. The stable
escaped, saving carriage and bug
gy, but the harness, stored in the
house, was lost. The gasometer es
capped by some singular means.
INSURANCE AND LOSS.
Two policies of $4,000 each had
been written on the house and furni-
ture by J. M. Doddridge, one in the
Etna, of Hartford, and the other in
the London, Liverpool and Globe
The $4,000 will not begin to cover
the loss which Mr.. Baker estimates
at $4,000. But even that figure
would not replace the fine house sc
quickly destroyed, with all its house
hold treasures.
Mr. Bakers many friends were
warm in their rendered sympathy.
U. S. Marshall Atkinson has gone