The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-29
HANDSOME HOMES
 BURN ON HIGHLANDS
J. J. Smith and Joel F. Webb
 Have Big Loss
THE TOTAL WAS S22,5OO
Located on One of Highest Points in the City, the Residences Were Completely Burned to
 the Ground

The handsome homes of James J. Smith, publisher of the Birmingham Ledger, and Joel F. Webb, prom inent attorney of the city, situated on the Altamont road, Mountain Terrace, were totally destroyed by fire yester- day evening at o'clock, the com bined loss being $22,5oO. total of ,0OO insurance was carried on the two houses
 The fire had it's origin in the base ment of the home of MT. Smith and was discovered by the cook about 5 o'clock. Mrs. Smith and the cook were the only occupants of the house at the time. The cook came rushing up- stairs where Mrs. Smith was lying down and informed her that the house was afre. Mrs. Smith tried to give the alarm over the telephone, but was un- able to get connection. owing to the wires being severed. She rushed next door to MT Webbs house and called out the fire department. Companies Nos. 2, and 10 responded.
 The alarm, however, was not re- ceived by the fire department until the flames at both houses had gained great headway and by the time the engines pulled up the steep Cliff road the buildings were past saving. The fire, according to MT. Smith, started in the basement of his house on the south side In which was stored only coal and kindling wood. He states that there had not been a fire in the furnace since yesterday morning.
 Before any of the occupants of the house knew. anything of the fire it had gained such headway that they were not able to save thing. Trinkets and jewelry to, which were attached great sentimental value were destroy ed All of. the household goods were destroyed and were not covered by in surance. Mir Smith stated last night that he had $6000 insurance on the house and that he valued the house and it's contents at $12,500.
 The home of MT Webb is situated about eight feet from the house of Mr. Smith and to the south. The wind at that time was from the north and consequently blew the flames toward the Webb house. MT. Webb's residence was valued at approximately $10000, including the contents. The contents of this house also were completely de- stroyed.
 MT Smiths Mitchell automobile standing just to the rear of his home on an elevation was destroyed. He states that the value of the car was
 
 ance upon it. Of the $14,0O0 loss in- cured by MT. Smith only $6000 was covered by insurance.
 When the fire department reached the scene of the fire after a long and tedious run they were greatly handi- capped by the low water pressure and the auto steamer at the Five Points station not being able to climb the 40 degree hill. The elevation of the houses which burned was one of the highest points in Greater Birmingham. Chief Bennett personally supervised the movements of his men at the firN. Several sections of hose were burned, further retarding their movements.
 The explosion of the gasoline tank in MT. Smiths automobile caused a great commotion and scattering of the crowds which had gathered about An enormous crowd from the South High lands section went to the fire and fully 20O0 persons were gathered about.
 Mir and Mrs. Smith spent last night at the home of MT. George Cruik- shank, MT Smiths associate in the newspaper business, on Highland ave- hue. The family of MT. Webb re- mained at the home of a Mir. Harrison on South Highlands.
 No one was injured although the fire men had several narrow escapes from being hit by falling timbers. The houses burned completely to the ground and there was nothing left except the ashes and the bricks of the chimneys.