The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-27
Augusta Correspondence Of the Alta
 Journal by Ella A. Baxter

Augusta Correspondence of the Atlan-s Journal by Ella A. Baxter
 XVTHBN the full extent of tho AxJ Augusta fire becomes known there will be many hearts sad dened throughout the state by a reali- zation of the loss of the beautiful old homes on lower Broad street and other streets in the fire-swept area. On lower Broad street were some ol the oldest family seats in the city, mos of them built in colonial style, and fol generations they were the scenes of lavish entertainment and the. abiding place oi warm-hearted southern hospitality.
 Where stood these old houses are now only heaps of smoking debris and few chimneys from which curls the smoke o1 the last dying embers. For three bloc-is along lower Broad street, as well as along parallel streets, there is nothing left but ruin and devastation.
 The losses in the business section are covered by insurance and the rebuild ing of that area is merely matter oi business administration. The losses or Cotton Row. although the heaviest oi dll, are CONeTeN pfdCLiCdlly Lo tiS AeNS dollar, and also can be replaced. But the losses of the old southern homes, with tt cir furniture handed down from ger. eration to generation, and their precious family silver, and their innumerable treasures of artistic and sentimental value are losses beyond estimate. No amount of money can replace them. They ar gone forever
 Contents of many homes were taken to the middle of Broad street, a very wide thoroughfare, to escape the flames and there the owners saw thew ';-cd when the ravenous fire leaped across the street and swept all before it in a verit- able inferno.
 Many of the old homes were almost as well known over the state as they were in Augusta. There was. for "x- ample, the home of Thomas Barrett, 3 large old-fashioned house built of red brick in the best architectural style of the colonial period. Out of this house where Augustans and their frler"1 have been entertained for generat'--- noth- ing was saved but the collection of oil paintings belonging to Mrs. c. P. Press ley, who is now in Paris with her hus- band. the American consul there. In the hour of excitement and stress the Bar rett family's first thought was not of their own treasured belongings, but of the paintings left in their keeping by Mrs. Presley.
 little farther down the street was the home of Mrs. Harriet Gould Jeffries It was magnificent mansion built oi gray stone. and every room contained a yeritable treasure of old colonial furni- ture Who that was ever entertained in that splendid dining room where the rare carved walnut furniture collected by the late Mrs. Gould harmonized with high ceilings and rich hangings, can re- frain from tears to think that not piec~ is left? Mrs. Jeffries herself ''- T. capped with her life.
 Next door to the Gould home, as it was known. was the home of the 'r'" pr. William Tut, an old-fashioned wooden frame house with high front porch that will be recalled with sadness by the women of August and their guests who were often entertained at lovely parties with tables laid in its cool and inviting sl ade
 A few doors down the street was the Fargo home. one of the handsomest brick houses in the city. Mrs. Fargo and her lovely daughters have made happy the