The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-03-07

The most valuable historical and go- theological library in Alabama and probably in the entire South was de- stroyed yesterday morning. when tho handsome new residence of Dr. Thomas M. owen, director of the state Depart ment Of Archives and History. was burned to the ground.
 The loss to Dr, Owen is incalculable. Almost a life's work was swept away in twenty or thirty minutes. Mariu- scripts of several unpublished histories, which the State Historian was prepar- ing for the printer were swept away. Valuable genealogical collections COW ering Alabamas people of prominence and many of Americas most widely known families, fell victim to the flames valuable historical coilec- tion of papers and publications Of the University of Alabama, which Dr. owen was preparing to ship to Tuscaloosa for exhibition at the Seventy Fifth An niversary celebration of this historic institution was destroyed. Among the most valuable of these papers was the first diploma issued from the Universi- ty. It is signed by pr. Ava Woods, first President of the institution.
 pr. owens house was located on Ridge Avenue in Cioverdale, outside of the city limits. There were no water con nections near and the fire department was wholly unable to check the flames which had gained great headway>when the department arrived.
 The alarm was turned in at 1O:14 o'clock and at that time neither Dr. owen nor Mrs. owen was at home. Two negro servants were on the place and with the assistance of the neighbors some of Dr. Owens furniture was saw ed.
 No clue has been ascertained as to how the fire originated. Shortly be" fore she left the house. Mrs. Owen de- tected scent as of burning straw ana made a careful investigation but could find no fire. Dr. owen is of the opin- ion that the blaze was caused by cleo tric light wires running between the
 roof of the house and the ceiling. It was the irony of fate that the fire should have originated and burned more fiercely in the precious library of the historian and there was abso- luteIy no chance to save any of the contents. This room was thirty feet long. twenty-seven feet wide and four teen feet high, and every available inch was covered with books, papers, manu- script and records. Everything in this room was burned Among the most valuable works that were destroyed were Dr. owens un- published histories of Alabama, Jener- son. RlCkenSs anu NAahiSoh S"eiity "'tN his partially completed history of Mont gomery County.
 The State Historian had been ap~
 pointed family historian by his rela-
 lives. who are distinguished citizens
 oyer the Union. All of these valuable
 family papers were burned. His rec
 ords of the Sons of the Revolution ot
 which he had quite a compilation. were
 destroyed as were the records of the United Sons of Confederate Veterans.
 of which he is Commander-in-Ch and
 all of his Confederate War papers were
 destroyed.
 More valuable than all, perhaps. was the collection of manuscripts contain ing data on the lives of over 5000 pub
 lie characters in the history of Ala
 bama. The collection of Colonel John Mckee. which contained over 1000 man. uscripts, was lost. and there were
 eleven smaller collections.
 Tn addition there were number of books of reference and a number of histories and valuable standard works in the debris and all destroyed.
 The handsome residence of J. B. Long next to the residence of Dr. Owen. caught fire several times and the chemical engine was several times brought into service.
 The residence of Dr. Owen was sit- uated near the old Montgomery Ten his and Golf Clubhouse in Cloverdale. It was a two story frame structure ot seven rooms and of handsome design,