Atlanta Georgian., 1914-02-25
PEACH 7 Rec
ROAD HOME
IN RUINS
$4,000 Jewels Saved as Family
FIees Beds, Narrowly Es-
Gaping Flames.

Awakened Wednesday by fire which
already enveloped the whole of tine
upper part Of his beautiful home IN
Peachtree road and which did $50 900
damage. Charles II. Black, well known
real estate man. and his family, scau-
tily clad. we're forced to flee into the
snow aorm that had just broken over
the city.
Mrs. Blacks first thought was 3f
her two boys, one of whom, David
seven years of age, lay sick in an ad
Joining room. Selling the little fell
low in her arms, and throwing q
blanket about him, the mother fought
her way through the smoke to safety.
The other boy, Charles II. Black
Jr., aged II. was aroused by the cries
of his mother, and sroped his way
through the smoke behind her. The
roof fell Just as the family dashed out
of the house.
Mrs. Black carried the sick boy to
the home of Henry W. Grady, near
by 1t is not believed his condition
was made any the worse by his ex-
posure.
$4,000 Jewels Saved.
Mrs Blacks diamonds and other
Jewels, valued at $4,000, were saved
by Mr. Black. who, snatching them
from the jewel case, wrapped them
in a handkerchief, Showing the bun
die into the hands OF Wilson Gallo
way. a negro butler, Mr. Black direct
ed him 10 take them to the home of
George W. Harrison, next door.
i The Harrison home caught fire
from sparks from the Black home,
but the blaze was extinguished be-
fore any material damage had bes1
done.
The roof was burned off the Black
home and the second story. destroyed.
A number of fine paintings and other
works of art were ruined, were
numerous fine rugs and other costly
furnishings The home was magnifi-
Gently furnished throughout
While Mr. Black has not made any
plans, he expects to rebuild the home
as soon as possible. He s2id that his
loss is only partly covert,c by insur-
ance
MrN. L. P. Black, mother of Mrs
Black, had many valuable relics and
curios in the house and these wers
destroyed Mrs. Black prizes these
more than for their mere intrinsic
value. and declared they could not be
replaced by any amount Of money.
Crossed Wires Blamed
The fire. which is believed to have
been caused by crossed wires in the
ceiling, had gained great headway be-
fore discovered. Mr. Black was
aroused by a peculiar noise in the
ceiling which a first he thought was
caused b. rats Mrs. Black was also
awakened, and, as the noises contin-
ued, her husband remarked;
There seems to be whole drove
Of rats in the ceiling"
At this juncture a heavy, rumblin5
noise flashed the truth to him, and
ne leaped from bed In the mean
time passerby had rushed into the
yard and notified the butler, Gallo
way, that the house was on fre. As
Mr.. Black reached the floor, the but
Ter ran IN, crying Fire" BY this
time the upstairs was rapidly filling
it'll smoke, and it was seen that
prompt action was necessary to save
the children and get from the house
in time.
Because of the long run that had 10
be made by the fire department and
the headway OF the flames the fire
men had a hard fight. Neighbors
rushed 10 the scene and lent all Of
the aid possible, assisting Mr.. Black
in carrying out few articles OF fur
niture from the first floor. There
was no chance, however TO save any
thing from the upper story.