The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1891-09-24
TWO MIDNIGHT FIRES.
THE FIRE BOYS HAD THEIR HANDS
FULL LAST NIGHT.
Two Cars Loaded With Lime Go Up IN
Smoke-The Grooms Homestead, an
Old Landmark in Austin, is
Totally Destroyed.

At half-past eleven o'clock las
night an alarm Of fire was sent II
from the First ward. The fire com
panies responded promptly but Oh
reaching West Sixth street, discover
ed that the fire was beyond the
water limits. so the trucks
turned back. \ number OF fireman,
however, proceeded to the scene OF
the fire and found two box cars load
ed with lime burning on the |. and &.
n. switch, south Of the Confederate
home. Two other cars attached were
uncoupled and taken out of range and
were saved, but nothing could be done
TO save the two in which the fire had
gotten a good start and they were en-
tirely destroyed, together with their
contents. The fire is supposed to have
originated by spontaneous comous-
ton, caused by the Stacking OF the
lime.
THE SECOND FIRE.
The fire boys had not much NOR
than gotten home after the first alarm
when they were startled by the mad
changing of the bells again. In
fact, Chief Ziller and few of the boys,
together with the STATESMAN
reporter were watching the last
diving embers of the cars when they
heard shots and noticed the glare of a
blazing fire in the northern part OF
the city. /
In a moment all hands had mounted
and started out in the direction OF
the blaze. When the reporter reached
the scene of the fire he found only the
brick chimneys and small portions of
the walls of the old Grooms
standing. The rest
of the once imposing structure
had given way to the devouring ele-
ment, fire. To a reporter Mr.. Helm,
law of Mr.. Grooms, said that
he was awakened about 1890 by
the smoke, which had nearly
suffocated him. He made a grab
Tor his clothes, ran out and
after giving the alarm, with the help
If few of his neighbors, succeeded in
saving small portion of his furni- i
ure. The rest of the house was
otally destroyed.
Mr.. Helm was alone in the house,
he balance of the family having [
zone to Brownwood on a visit He
vas very much affected over the loss,
more on account of it's recollections
han anything else. He had an in
urance of $4,000 on the build
az, which, he said, so
ar as his feelings were
would far from cover the :
amage.
The fire is supposed to have origin |
ted in the kitchen, but in what t
hammer remains mystery.
This fire, as well as the first, was (
Inside of the water limit, and {
Though in both cases the fire boys f
lrned out in large numbers they
)uld be of no use, owing to the lack C
water. q
The Grooms homestead has been Oc- O
Ipied by its present owner, Judge a
fired Grooms, for nearly forty years. s.
has always been noted as a hos "
table southern home, and many old "
exams will read of it's destruction n
it'll feelings of profound regret. O
These two occasions only en- a
lasize most strongly the inn G.
,rtance of the city council il
lopting the suggestion Of Chief t,
Her. made short time ago, to have O
e departments two steamers O
1T in repair and ready D
r work. Had they been avail s.
lie last night good service would q
I'VE been done. Gentlemen of the ft
ty Council, prove yourselves the Il
electors of the people who have fc
ected you to Office and have the two m
put in commission at once. n,
~S or