Smyrna times., 1907-02-27
TWENTY-NINE HEAD HORSES
ROASTED TO DEATH IN FIRE
". H. COLLINS STABLE INCLUDING ALL HIS
HORSES BURNED DOWN SATURDAY.

The ''vermllllon Tenament House," the Junk
Shop of Jerry Jones and the Stables of
Tbos. Jefferson aud Alex Carson Burned. i,
Fire of an incendiary origin broke out |
on Fisher street about twenty minutes
before seven O'Clock Saturday morning, |
and In short space OF time laid waste
and damaged properties to the esti-
mated value of nearly $4,000. The fire
laid waste the rear buildings of Will
liam 81. Collins, the well-known horse
dealer, including twenty-nine horses;
the ''Vermillion residence" occupied
by four colored families; the junk shop
of Jerry Jones, colored; the stable and
carriage house of Alexander Carson;
and the stable and carriage house of
Thomas Jefferson. How the fire origi-
mated is somewhat of a mystery. 1t
seems to have broken out in the vici-
nifty of the colored tenement house.
B. F. Middleton, who was on his way
to the slaughter house ofNorris Truax,
discovered the flames and gave the
alarm. About the same time William
Pryor appeared on the scene and en-
deavored to let the horses out of the
stable. He led one horse out but it
bounded back into the stable again. It
was bitter cold morning, the ther-
monter lowering to about six degrees
above zero. A stiff breeze was blow
ing from the north. The Hose Com
pany responded quickly after the gen.
eral alarm was given, but had some
trouble owing to the fact that the fire.
plugs were frozen. Boiling water had
to be applied before a stream of suffi-
cient strength could be acquired. By
this time the confagration had gained
headway and our faithful fremen soon
took in the situation that they had
several burning properties on their
hands, which threatened the whole
southern section ofthe town. Despite
the intense cold our volunteer firemen
worked like heroes and directed their
attention to saving the adjoining prop
critics by confning the fire to the
buildings already burning.
Five Properties on Fisher Street Wiped Out.
The two properties known as the
"Yermillion Properties" on Fisher
street adjoining the shops of Charles
r. Massey, were both afre but the
Hose Company succeeded in saving
one of them. The property which
burned was occupied by four colored
families as follows: John Logan, Clay
ton Franklin, Joseph Evans and Will
liam Loaf. Nearly the whole building
and contents wereldestroyed entailing
loss of about $500 or $500. 1t is said
there was no insurance. Next to the
''Vermillion Property" was the stables
and sheds of William Fl. Collins where
the greatest damage was done. These
were swept away in moment includ
ing twenty three head of horses
Someone succeeded in getting one Of
doors open and letting six of the horses
out, but they were so badly burned ant
scorched that later they had to b,
killed making altogether twenty min,
horses. Mr.. Collins places the loss OIL
this stock alone at $4,000 which ar
fully covered by insurance. The loss
on the stable and shed represents 4
loss of about $500 which was insured
These included two story ten-stal
stable 20by 40 feet, shed A by 26 fee
andan eight box-stall shed, five stall
of which were entirely burned. Fort
unately the fire was Kept from spread
ing to Mr.. Collins main buildin
fronting on Main street. Mr.. Collin
had advertised and was to have had
sale of his horses that Saturday after
noon. He however, had sale of som
other stuff he had on hand which wen
off at the hour advertised.
Sickening 0dor Of Roast Horse Nauseaiing.
The stable and carriage house {
Alexander Carson was in direct line t
Collins stables and fell an easy pre-
to the flames. The buildings wer
completely destroyed entailing los
of about S40O, on which there was onl
$500 worth of insurance. Fortunat,
ly his horses and carriages were gotte
out. He also saved his bottling outf
From there the fire ate it's We
to the stable and carriage house
Thomas Jefferson. The latter has I
horse and carriage and used the bull,
ing for his chickens. These were go
ten out and saved. The loss amour
to betwee 800 and $780, The fir,
men succeeded in arresting the pr
gress of the fire at this point but th,
could not save the junk chop of Jerl
Jones, colored, on the opposite side
Fisher street from Collins stable
Jerry had the bottling outfit belon
ing to Walter Shelton in connectit
NTH hso frx. Oh xvh oh k~k