The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-05-07
.OLDPERRYHOME
ON PALAFOX IS
FIRE-DAMACED
HISTORIC BUILDING, ONCE RESI-
DENCE OF FLORIDA'S GOVERNOR
IN DANGER OF BEING DESTROYED
By BLAZE INSIDE.

Al IL 30 O'Clock yesterday morning
fire was discovered in the interior OF
the old Governor Perry home. now
known as the Mann house. at the cor
ner of Palafox and Wright streets. and
the historic mansion was heavily dam
aged. The amount of loss was not as
certained, even by the fire department.
but the fire caused intense excitement
and ready and willing aid was given
the fire fighters. The fire department
wishes 10 especially return appreciat-
i've thanks to the members OF Company
@, 43rd Infantry, these husky young
men coming forward with a willing
ness and anxiety to help which result
ed in practically all the household
goods having been saved. What dam
age the effects sustained was chiefly
from the volumes OF water made nee
essary to stop the blaze from spread
ing and totally destroying the house.
As ii was. the blaze was confined al
most entirely to the interior.
The property, which is now owned
by the Ghaffin estate, was formerly
the home of Governor Edward AyIes-
worth Perry, and about it associations
historic and romantic still linger, de-
spite the many changes that time mas
wrought. Coming to Florida in early
manhood he engaged in the practice
/ of law in Pensacola, rearing a family
| OF four daughters and one son at the
faHils homestead. which ssas the cen
ire OF all that was best in tha social
life of the state. 1t was from this home
that his daughter, Genevieve Perry
was married to Judge Charles b. Park
nil. now in the service of the United
/ STATES government, with the rank OF
Major on Generals Crowders staff.
Other members Of the family now
living are Mrs. Conrad Strong. who was
Miss Frances Perry, and Mrs. ]. c.
Hotel, of California, who was Miss
Ruby Perry.
Governor Perry, who was the state $
chief executive from 1885 to 1889. even
before his inauguration TO this high
oHlce, had led life replete with inter-
est, Born in Richmond, Mass. on
March 10th. 1881. OF New England pa
rentage, and tracing his ancestry back
to Ooliver Hazard Perry, of Revolu-
tlonary fame. although educated at Lee
Academy. in Massachusetts. and AT
Yale, New Haven, at the opening of the
Civil war he cast his lot with his
adopted state, having come TO Florida
while still in his early manhood. He
first served his state as a captain in
the army of the Gonfederacy. render
ing active Service in many battles. and
Was appointed brigadier-general COM
manding the entire Florida division of
rtoops. His popularity as Confeder-
ate soldier was largely instrumental in
MS election to the governorship OF the
state. and his name has been rendered
imperishable not only in the hearts of
MS countrymen, but has perpetuated
In the granite shaft in r. f. Lee square.
dedicated to the Confederate soldiers.
He died in October. 1889
Mrs. Perry, who survived her distin-
guished husband by many years. was
a native of Greenville. Alabama. After
the death OF her husband she spent
some time with relatives there and in
Virginia, and in more recent years. in
San Antonio, exas. where she died about
two years ago, her remains having
been then brought to this city and laid
TO rest in the family burT1ng ground
beside her distinguished husband in
st. Johns cemetery.