The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1910-05-19
THE JACOBS FIRE
Details of the Catastrophe As Told
By LOnaConins Star.

A horrible holocaust occurred Satur-
day last just over the line in Garrett
county, when the handsome residence
of HoH William H. Jacobs, near Iona
coming, was completely destroyed by
fire, and little grandson, aged years
and 10 months, was burned almost to
ashes. No one else was in the house
when the fire occurred, so far as can be
learned, and definite particulars as to
the origin and progress of the fire can
not be obtained with accuracy, many
theories having been advanced. 1t
seems that Mr.. Stanley Jacobs, the
eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. w. H.
Jacobs, has been making his home with
his parents, living there with his five
children, all sons, since the death of his
wife several wears ago. Saturday W.
H. Jacobs came to town in the heavy
wagon, and Mrs Jacobs in the buggy,
accompanied by the third of Stanley's
sons. Stanley Jacobs, with the second
oldest of his sons, was with the farm
hands some three or four miles from
the house at a sawmill, doing some
work. This left the baby, nearly
years old, and the oldest son, 10 years
of age at home with\a domestic, Miss
Lottie Miller, of Detmold, Homecoming,
who had been living with the Jacobs.
About 3:55 p. m. the fire broke out.
At the time, the baby was asleep on a
couch in the dining room, and the older
bow was out playing. Just where Miss
Miller was cannot be learned as she
has been unable to explain clearly
where she was or what she was doing
when the fire started in the kitchen.
The flames made rapid Roadway and the
building was soon doomed. The older
boy, on discovering that the home was
on fire, ran for help and found several
neighbors digging the grave for the
late Miss Ruby Weir, who had died. in
Hansel's cemetery, not far away.
They quickly ran to the scene Of the
fire but could do nothing to save either
the house or its contents and devoted
their time to tearing down fences and
outbuildings to prevent the flames from
spreading to the barn and other farm
structures and milk houses.
No one had said anything about the
sleeping baby, and although the domes-
tie was on the scene, outside, when the
fire fighters appeared, she was too eX-
cited to give any information. Mrs.
Jacobs, finishing her shopping, pro-
ceeded homeward by the Weirj road,
and was informed en- route by Mr..
Charles Green, one of the men in the
cemetery who had gone to the rescue,
OF the fire. She hurried on, and it was
upon her arrival that the baby was
missed and after a search the charred
remains were found directly where the
couch was on which it lay peacefully
asleep when the fire fiend swept through
the house.
Mr. Jacobs had completed his bust
ness in town little later, and proceed |
ed home via the Moscow road, and Mr..
Stanley Jacobs, walking home from the
sawmill, did not know of the sad death
of his little one or the destruction of
the home until he arrived on the scene
late in the evening.
News of the confagration came to
town promptly and the greatest SYM
pathy was expressed for Mr.. and Mrs.
Jacobs at the loss of their comfortable
home, and for Mr.. Stanley Jacobs for
the loss of his little son under so sad
and unfortunate circumstances. Many
Homecoming friends at once rendered
their assistance to the temporarily
homeless family and number visited
the scene of the conhagration Saturday
evening and Sunday. The remains of
the little one were inferred Monday in
Hansel's cemetery from the home of
Mr.. Charles Green, with services held
at the grave. Revs. Hobbs, of Iona
coming, and Groves, of Barton, offici-
ated after which they proceeded to the
Weir residence, to officiate at the late
Miss Ruby Weir's funeral. Undertaken
Eichhorn was IN charge and a large
number from Homecoming attended the
funeral. 1t was very sad occasion.
Mr.. Jacobs, who is one of the most
prosperous and estimable farmers of
this section. was member OF the
Maryland House of Delegates from
Garrett county in 1898. His home,
Oak Springs, " was a fine old residence
beautifully furnished The loss was
complete. Mr.. Jacobs, 1t is understood,
estimates his loss at $15, 900. This in
cludes the loss of considerable money,
gold silver and bills, jewelry, checks,
negotiable securities, a piano and all
the household furniture and effects,
which were of the best obtainable, the
Jacobs residence at coax Springs be-
ing one of the best furnished homes IN
Allegany and Garrett counties. The
full amount of insurance carried is not
known. The Jacobs family are among
the most estimable people of Allegany