Weekly journal-miner. [volume] (Prescott, Ariz.) 1908-1929, 1913-09-24
CFrom Wednesdays DailyO


the palatial home of J. 7. W. stew
art. located on the top OF Norris
Drive. two miles from this city.
The blaze, clearly visible for a
distance OF fifty miles this side
OF the mountain. was the most spec
tacular ever witnessed BY hundreds
OF Prescottouians who saw the con-
Migration from their homes.
The damage cannot be determined
by the owner now and it IS posi-
bic that the exact less will remain
a matter of conjecture The cree
ton OF TIE residence, completed
early this wear. represented an eN-
Denditure OF $4,000. The Stewart
collection OF heirlooms and other
ANTIQUE oddities was considered one
OF the most valuable in the State.
Some items in the collection were
priceless As far as their owner was
concerned. He had spent a great
part OF his life gathering his col
lection and with but the exception
OF a few small articles rescued, II
was entirely consumed in the flames.
Insurance amounting to $4,000 was
carried upon the building.
y
have been the cause of the diSas-
trous blaze. Mr.. Stewart, who was
the only occupant OF the house over
night arose shortly before o'clock
and started FIRE in the stove. Just
as he was donning his coat TO
ride his hose into the city. the
smell OF smoke reached his nos
trils.
Alarmed. he followed the trail of
smoke to its source. in the attic.
There he discovered a small blaze
fast eating Nd the flooring near the
chimney. For a few minutes Mr.
Stewart fought desperately in an
effort to extinguish the fire. but the
flames gained Roadway and he was
finally forced to retreat before the
dense smoke.
STRUGGLING down the stairs. he
dashed into the various rooms upon
the ground floor, throwing from the
windows and through the doors va
rious articles Of value. including
about $500 worth of silverware. a
large portion of which was melted
by the awful heat. Working like
a demon for fully ten minutes, he
managed to throw out articles val
ued at about $1,000. Finally, with
the flames licking at his face and
hands, he retreated to the air where
after traversing a distance OF about
100 feet. he fell exhausted in the
road. There fifteen minutes later
the first auto party which arrived
upon the scene found him. Mr. Stew
art, who is about forty years OF
age. was conscious, but completely
PLAYED out because OF his super
human cXertion.
There was not one chance in a
hundred for saving that building
and its contents after blaze once
started Almost unapproachable to
wagons, It was not reasonable to
expect the fire apparatus to make
the trip. There are no telephone
wires between the house and the
city and the only source OF water
supply is a small tank located about
200 feet from the house.
The building was completed but
early this year and represented one
of the finest results of mountain
home buildings in the State. The
long and difficult haul of all the
building materials increased the ex-
pense of erection to a large extent.
The furniture equipment. mainly of
mahogany. was one OF the finest in
the country. The collection of rel
les included everything from two
valuable deer heads to oil paint
ings and ancient mementoes. The
fame of this collection, together with
the elegant furniture, had spread
broadcast throughout the State and
many visitors here made a trip
to this point part of their pro-
gram.
Everything was completely CON
sumed, the smouldering cinders two
hours after the fire was discovered,
representing the remains of the once
handsome residence Less than 800
feet away stood the barn where
two horses chewed at some hay in
an unconcerned manner II was to
secure the services of a veterinary
for these two favorite steeds that
Mr. Stewart arose so early yester-
day morning
Til blaze was unqueStionably the
most spectacular in every respect
witnessed in this section of the
country. From a point in East
Prescott one could see the rcflec-
ton of the huge bonfire upon
Thumb Butte and the other weston
peaks.
From West Prescott the range
of the blaze was remarkably de
ceptive, appearing close by to the
reservoir \ perpendicular line of
smoke rising for q half mile in the
air added a remarkable tinge Of
color to the scene. For fully a
half hour the bonfire reared and
then gradually died out
Someone who saw the blaze from
West Prescott pulled the fire alarm
box nearest to hand The fremeu
were sent chasing to West Pres
colt where they unearthed the real
source for the alarm.
Dccming access to the fire al
most impossible. the fire laddies re
turned TO their house and stored
their apparatus while they them
selves went out to get a look