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, were forced to flee into the
snowstorm that had just broken over
the city.
Mrs. Blacks first thought was 5f
her two boys. one of whom, Dayid,
seven years of age, lay sick in an ad
Joining room. Seizing the little fell
low in her arms, and throwing n
blanket about him, the mother fought
her way through the smoke to safety.
The other boy, Charles H. Black,
Jr,, aged H.. was aroused by the cries
of his mother. and CROPPED 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 handkerchief. Showing the bun
die into the hands of Wilson Gallo
way. a negro butler, Mr. Black direct
ed him to take them to the home OF
George w. Harrison, next door.
The Harrison home caught fire
from sparks from the Black home,
but the blaze was extinguished be-
fore any material damage had been
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, as were
numerous fine rugs and other costly
furnishings. The home was magnili-
Gently furnished throughout
While Mr. Black has not made any
plans. he expects to rebuild the home
as soonsas possible. He said that his
loss is only partly covered by insur-
ance
Mrs. e. r. Black mother of Mrs
Black, had many valuable relics and
curios in the house, and these wer4
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 at first he thought was
caused by rats. Mrs. Black was als1
awakened and, as the noises contin-
ued. her husband remarked:
There seems to be whole drove
Of rats in the ceiIingr
At this juncture heavy, rumbliue
noise flashed the truth to him. a1d
ne leaped from bed. In the mean
time . passerby had rushed into the
u
way. that the house was on fire. IS
Mr.. Black reached the floor, the but
Ter ran IN, crying "Fire." BY this
time the upstairs was rapidly fIing
With smoke, and It was seen thai
prompt action was necessary to saw,
the children and get from the house
in time,
Firennsn Far Away.
Because OF the long run that had u
be made by the fire department and
| the headWay Of the flames, the fire.
men had a hard fight Neighbour
rushed TO the scene and lent all q
the aid possible. assisting Mr. Biacl
| in carrying out few articles OF fur.
niturc from the first floor. There
was no chance. however, to save any
! thing from the upper story
Numbers 81 schoolgirls on their wa5