The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-06-20
JELKS LOSES HIS HOME
FINE MANSION IN EUFAUL1 DE-
 STRoYED BY FIRE.
Was Insured for 80, ,OOO, But Resi- dence Was Full of Historic h.
 terest-Had Been Home
 of Shorters.

Eufaula, June 1S.-(Special.)-The home of Governor William D. Jelks, the, his toric old Shorter place, was totally de- stroyed by fire this afternoon. The fire originated in the kitchen, from defec- tive fiue, it is thought. Governor Jelks had an insurance policy of 5000 on the building and one for $1,000 on the furnit-, urc.
 The policies nearly cover the financial loss sustained by the destruSion of the building, but the destruction of the old home full of interest and sentiment, is beyond compensation. It was one of the most famous homes within the confines of Alabama and there are residents of every portion of the state who have par taken of the splendid hospitality of its occupants. They will learn of the devour- ing work of the flames with regret and sorrow. The home was typical of the ante-bcllum civilization of the old South. There the traditions of generous hospi- tality of the old South were maintained until the dcvouring flames left it but memory .tt.v
 It had become famed as few homes in the State are. For overt half century. almost since its construetioh.A 1t has been the home of the Shorters. It-was owned and occupied during all those years by Major Henry R. Shorter for many years president of the Ala bama Railroad Commission. Major Shorter was a splendid type of the Southern gentle man and the hospitality that he dispensed was lavish and open handed. He was the father of Mrs. Jelks.
 Upon the death of Major Shorter. four years ago. the building was purchased by Governor Jelks, who has since made his home there With the governor resided Mrs. H. R. Shorter and H. R. Shorter, Jr.l
 The building was discovered afre at l nrln afta Tha started in the kitchen, spread rapidly to the second story and the whole structure, built as it was of wood, flames. Owing to the elevated situation College Hill the local fire department found the fire an ex- tremely difficult one to fight. The stand pipe of the water works department is across the street from the building and the pressure from the plugs was not sufficient to throw a stream above the first floor. The large crowd that gathered could only stand idly by and watch the fine old home slowly succumb to the flames,
 The building was splendidly furnished. It held many articles of historic interest to the family the loss of which money can not re- placed most of the rich furnishings and his toric objects, were saved, by the wiil.ng hands of volunteer workers.
 Governor Jelks owns another handsome home a snodeTn two-storv structure near the heart of the city. This residence is at present leased to Warren Dent, prominent drug gist.
 The old Shorter home was situated on the high elevation to the west of the city, three quarters of a mile from the center of the busi- ness district. lt sat in the center of d hanI- some and spacious grounds, shadowed here and there with venerable oaks. From It's roof an unexcelled view of the surrounding country could be had. The building spacious and of handsome appearance. wide veranda completely encircled it. Governor Jelks ie- gently had the building overhauled and the impressive interior decorations retouched. In the overhaurng of the building no departure from the old plans permitted
 The burning of the old home is looked upon as loss to the entire community. It was one of the show places of EufaulWs~ famed to. pretty homes. With it's destruction passes the last of the historic old shorter places built to the west of the city the Clayton road. In this neighboI he od and closely adjacent to each other were at one time the homes Of Dr. Reu- ben Shorter one of the first settlers of the city. that Of John Gill shorter, Alabamas war governor and that of Colonel Ell Shorter, for many years member of Congress from this district befo,e the war. The devouring flames have claimed each one of these magnificent bonnes and now only d few bricks and chim- news mark the place where in days that are gone princely hospitality was dispensed
 Governor Jelks arrived here tonight. lie left Montgomery on the afternoon traih' few minutes after he had received telegram bearing the news of the fife.