The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-25

 Ransome Turner. negro, was burned to death and loss of s15,oO0 to property was caused by the fire In the Birming- ham Grain company's building at 221S and 2215 Morris avenue yesterday morning. The negro was caught on the third floor of the building and was unable to make his escape. Charlie carper and Clarence Stamp. shipping clerk and city salesman. respectively, were also caught on the narrow margin.
 The fire caused loss of about s15,000. story brick fronting fifty feet on Morris avenue and running back to the railroad. It is estimated that about s40o0 of the loss was on the stock, which consisted of hay, grain and cotton seed meal. Of the s40OO about $75O belonged to the Florida Cotton Oil company of Jacksonville There was no insurance on 1t. as it was handled on commission. The Birmingham Grain company carries s2S5O on it's stock. valued at about s325o
 Owner of Building.
 The building Is owned by J. l.. Brent of Baltimore, and was valued at s1S,0O0. on which $50O0 insurance was carried. The damage to the building amounted to about $11 ,000.
 The alarm came in about 7:45 o'clock and by 9:15 o'clock the fire was practically out The firemen. by bold work, prevented of H. H. Huffstutler. They carried strong streams of water into the building. They stayed until the top floors fell in.
 The origin of the fire is unknown. It has been attributed to a defective fiue and also to a spark. It was discovered by Turner, the negro who was burned to death. He called to Carper and Stamp and together they ran to the second floor to see where the fire started and to ex- tinguish it if possible. The flames spread so rapidly that 1t was impossible for them to do anything towards checking the flames. Stamp managed to reach the steps and escape down stairs. Carper was compelled to go to the roof of the build ing and from there to the roof of the adjoining building He was rescued on ladder run up by the firemen.
 The negro, who was on the third floor, was called by both the white men and he hesitated which way to go. He finally de- cided to attempt to escape by way or the steps to the lower floor but the smoke stuffed him and he was overcome.
 Negro's Remains.
 The remains were found near the front of the store on the first floor soon after the fire was under control Chief Mullin had the body lowered to the ground and it was turned over to an undertaken, who prepared 1t for interment. The negro was fearfully burned.
 The firemen had a hard fight to prevent the flames spreading. The fire originated about the middle of the store on the sec- ond floor. The two top floors were filled with hay and this burned like finder. The flames flashed all over the building in all most an instant and when the fremen ar rived were bursting forth from every side. Streams of water were thrown into the building rom all the WlnuoWS UT tne front and back, and two or three were carried into the building.
 All the wires of the Postal Telegraph company run in front of the building and it was cut off from outside communica- ton for several hours. Connection has been made again.
 Aerial Truck.
 The aerial truck came very nearly be- ing seriously damaged by the flames. It was scorched badly. Had it not been lowered promptly it would have been burned up. It was just in front of the building and three-inch stream was be- ing poured into the upper foor The flames burst through the front windows below and licked around the truck in a dangerous manner. The fireni-n had to come down and the truck was lowered The Birmingham Grain company is com posed of William and Earnest Redd. Only a small damage was done the stock of Mr. Huffstutler.
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