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

Awakened Wednesday by fire which
already enveloped the whole of the
upper part of his beautiful home in
Peachtree road and which did 100000
damage, Charles H. Black, well known
real estate man, and his family. scan
tily clad, were forced to flee into the
snowstorm that had just broken over
the city.
Mrs Blacks first thought was Of
her two boys one of whom, David,
seven years of age, lay sick in an ad-
joining room. Sei2ing the little fell
low in her arms, and throwing u
blanket about him, the mother fought
her way through the smoke TO safety.
The other boy. Charles III. Black
Jr., aged IL, was aroused by the cries
oss. .hlisa l,s:.ssii.ey. ard groped 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 Il 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 10000 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, negro butler, MIR. 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 magnify
Gently furnished throughout.
While Mr. Black has not made any
plans, he expects to rebuild the home
as soon as possible. He, said that his
loss is only partly covered by insur-
ance.
Mrs. e. p Black, mother of Mrs.
Black. had many valuable relics and
curios in the house, and these were
destroyed. Mrs. Black prizes these
more than for theirs 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 headwsy be-
fore discovered. Mr.. Black was
aroused by peculiar noise in the
ceiling, which at first he thought was
caused by rats Mrs. Black was also
awakened, and, as the noises coutln-
ued, her husband remarked:
There seems TO be a whole drove
OF rats in the ceiling"
At this juncture heavy, rumblng
noise flashed the truth to him. and
ne leaped from bed. In the mean
time passerby had rushed into the
way, that the house was on fire. ss|
Mr.. Black reached the floor, the but
Ter ran in, crying Fire BY this
time the upstairs was rapidly filling
with smoke, and 1t was seen that
prompt action was necessary to save
the children and get from the house
in time.
Firemsn Far Away.
Because Of the long run that had 20
be made by the fire department and
the headwsy OF the flames, the fire
men had a hard fight Neighbors
rushed to the scene and lent at OF
the aid possible, assisting Mr. Blaca
in carrying out a few articles OF fur
niture from the first floor. There
was no chance, however. to save any
thing from the upper story.
Numbers Of schoolgirls on their way