Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-11-20
QUITMAN's BLAZE.
Considerable Gossip ~ to the Cause and
Possible Object of the Fire.

Considerable Gossip AZ TO the cause anu
Possible Object of the Fire
QUITNlAN, GA. Nov. 1s.-As the NEWS
has already been informed, the Alien
house, the largest and most magnidcently
constructed building in the city, was
totally destroyed by fire yesterday morn
ing at O'Clock. There are numerous
c0Djectures as to the origin OF the hre' oCV
no safe or any wise, accurate conclusion
can he arrived at. and opinions lofmeu
from the circumstances are SIMPLY specu-
latiye. Some say 1t was well saturated
with kerosene oil, and that the fire. "hen
first seen. was burning through Inc IooI
of the south wing of the mann DuIIulhS.
and doubtless originated IN the second
story of thai part Of the structure II Is
conceded, believe, by the occupants that
this mart of the building was on ire nrsi,
but they say that it was in bolh me hrsL
and second stories. lis not satisfactorily
understood by the community now an
incendiarV could have reached TINS
Dart of the structure without detection,
and WHY one should undertake TO
do so when other parts OF the
building We're much more accessl-
BILE IL is also commended by
the occupants that the FIRE also originated
in the school room, a short distance east
not true, and that the school room un-
questionably caught from the main build
ing. This house was adjoining the side
walk, and could have easily been entered
from the outside by breaking through
window. The fire is unquestlonably the
work of an lncendiary, but who he was
and from whence he came Will doubtless
always remain mystery. IL is said the
building was heavily insured, but for how
nd in hot
correspondent has been unable to ascer-
tain. The risk was not written by any
local agency, and the opinion Is that 1t
was carried by some company in the
North not authorized to do business In
Georgia. This house IS not without MS
tory. About four years ago it was pur-
chased by a Mr.. Allen, gentleman from
Waterbury, Conn.,, and he at once
commenced to improve and remodel
the same upon a modern plan for hotel.
Experienced workmen were employed
and the completion of the work occupied
some time. When finished, il was by far
the handsomest building in this county,
and doubtless cost its owner several thou.
sand dollars. MIR. Allen died about two
years ago, leaving his widow sole heir TO
all Of his property. About SIX months ago
our community was informed that she
had donated this property to the Ameri-
can Missionary Association, to be used
for a colored female institute. THIS was
verified about two months ago, when
Rev. Mr.. Parr arrived from the North
with two or three female assistants, and
opened a cOlored school, which they say
was in prosperous condition at the time
Of the fire. numbering about 140 pupils,
including or 10 female colored boarders.
This property was located in the heart of
the town, and the good citizens have been
innnpn
management to change the location, but
never succeeded in doing SO. The destruc-
ton of the property is regretted and de-
plOred by the entire community, and all
unite in cOndemniRg the Incendiary act if
1t was in fact one, and the guilty party
will undoubtedly suffer the fun penalty
Of the law ii ever found out.
Rev. Mr.. Parr and his assistants left
here last night OD the Coast Line express.
THE COUNTY TREASURER EXPLAINS.
TREAsURER's OFFICE, BROOKS Co, Gal
QUITMAN, GA, Nov. Is, 1885.
Editor h0rnutg NeloS: In your issue of
this date you notice, from Valdosta. the
burning of the Allen house. in this place,
lately converted into college for the in
stTuctiOn Of the colOred race. Your in
tormant is not correct in saying that the
school was under the auspices of the
Northern Methodist Church. The Rev.
Mr.. Parr had control OF the school. as
sisted by three or more ladies, all from
Connecticut. The gentleman, as this
writer has been well informed was a
member and minister of the Congregation
alist Church. He came here asking no
questions nor seeking friendship nor ac-
quaintance with any of our citizens. The
writer's residence was as near the Allen
house as any other, aud his business
called him to pass the gate of the semi
nary several times every day, and passed
him often without even the recognition
due the poorest darkey in town.
There was certainly no effort made 10
assassinate him. He was not called 10
the door, and the shots struck the house
at distance OF ten or fifteen feet apart,
which indicated that some one on horse
back, with little too much bad whisky
i'm him, on starting horne, gave the gen
tleman a salute, not intending to hurt
hair on mis- head.
1t is true, as the writer from which you
copy states, that prominent part of our
town was strenuously but unsuccessflllly
opposed by the citizens to the establish
ing college of any color in the heart and
not far from the business part of the
town. Mr.. Parr left last night for his
home. 1t is said here that the property
was well insured. or this do not know.
The fire when first discovered was INSIDE
the house in the l. over the dIning-rOom.
and near the French roof lately added,
making the third story. The safe lies in
the debris unlocked, which shows that
there was nothing in it that he wanted.
We know nothing further of the origin
Of the fire, and l am safe in saying that
there is not man or woman nor a we'll
grown boy or girl but regrets the occur
renee exceedingly, and would willingly
make known and bring to justice the
guilty one, white or colored.
H. W. SHARPE.