The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1902-05-16
HIGGINS HOME
FIRE SWEPT
Flames Lick up Half Century
Land Mark.
Poor Water Supply Ties Hands of
Firemen-Owner i'm Paris-Bronzes
and Works of Art Saved-OnIy
Active Work Prevented Burning

and Works of Art Saved-OnIy
Active Work Prevented Burning
of Handsome Out-buiIdings.
Shortly after five o'clock on Friday
last, employees on "Glen Farm the
fine estate of Eugene Higgins situate
in the suburbs, discovered fire issuing
from under the cornice of the tower
where mechanics had been at work
making repairs to the roof. Mr..
Adams, superintendent of Mr.. Hig-
gins.at once telephoned for the Chem
ical engine, which he soon followed
up by sending in general alarm.
The fire department responded
promptly but practically could do
nothing owing to absence of water.
So quickly did the flames sweep
downward that before Mr.. Adams
could return to his room which was
directly under the tower, the hallway
leading to it and the room was a
sheet of flame Mrs Hutchinson the
housekeeper, managed to save some
wearing apparel. Mr.. Adams lost
everything except the clothing he
wore when the alarm was given.
The house was built about forty
five years ago by Norris & Lindsey,
at that time the leading builders of
Morristown. Its frame was of hard
work which accounted for the resist
ance given to the approach of the
flames. The tower rose 80 feet above
the main building. A high wind
was blowing from the west and it
was pitiable sight to watch the
flames sweep downward and against
the wind. The firemen worked faith
fully and with the assistance of neigh
bors managed to save about all the
contents of the different floors which
as brought out, were piled on the
lawn.
The house comprised thirty nine
rooms; the partitions of the lower
floor had been removed giving it a
club house appearance; it was expen-
sively furnished throughout, while the
bronze statutes, articles of bric-a- brac
were also very costly.
When it was seen that the house
could not be saved, acting under in
structions from Chief Fox, Mr.. Adams
closed the door of the main wine cell
lar which with it's valuable contents
was also destroyed. 1t included a
large quantity of wines purchased by
Mr.. Higgins from the estate Of the
late A. T. Stewart, and undoubtedly
the finest collection of clarets in the
United States, the latter was selected
in person by Mr.. Higgins in Bordeaux
some years ago.
About the first picture rescued by
Mr.. Adams was fine oil painting of
Mr.. Higgins mother which hung on
the first floor.
AS soon as the wardens arrived a
line was stretched and the work of
saving the household effects was con-
fined to firemen and to those known to
the wardens. Before o'clock what
for many years has been one of the
'show" residence in Morristown was
only heap of smouldering ruins,
the chimneys alone remaining intact.
Under the direction of Mr.. Adams,
who was assisted by Mr.. Simpson and
Mr.. Rule, employees on the estate, the
vans of Bockoven 81 Day were sum-
moned and the articles removed from
the lawn and placed on the floor of the
riding school, awaiting adjustment
by the insurance agent. In speaking
of the fire, Mr.. Adams spoke in the
highest terms of the faithful work of
the firemen, and the remarkably quick
time in which they responded to the
call. In referring to his personal
loss he mentioned the loss of a pair
of diamond and sapphire cuff links
which were given him by Emperor
William, who was being entertained
on Mr.. Higgins yacht, the "Varuna. Z"
A cablegram was at once sent to
Mr.. Higgins, who was occupying his
house in Paris and pending mail ad-
vices from him it is not known what
Will be done with the property. Mr..
higgins has not been at Glen Farm
since October last when he spent a
few days there. He spends most of
his time on his yacht, the "Varuna, :"
which is practically in commission
the year round.
1t is not known as to the exact
amount of the insurance but it is
understood there was $40, 600 on the
building, $25, 900 on the contents of
the wine cellar, and $50, 900 on the
furniture, pictures, etc. The barns
and outbuildings are probably the
finest in this section of the state and
although on fire several times the
flames were quickly extinguished.