Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1922-03-24
STACY POLLARD'S HOUSE DE.
STROYED BY FIRE.

known that the new home of Stacy
Pollard, near the ball grounds, was
afire. The new fire engine responded
quickly and covered the nearly mile
distance in remarkably quick time,
driven by George Clarke, Jr., but be-
fore the chemical apparatus was
brought into action it was seen that
no earthly power could subdue those
flames, as the building was ablaze
throughout, and being new and fresh
ly painted made a very hot fire. The
firemen really did heroic work in
saving out-buildings and especially
the home of Estate Of Arthur Shaft
er, the walls and roof of which they
deluged and but for which that house
might also have gone. Stacy and his
wife were both at church, as SO was
the Shaifer family, next door, and
the fire was therefore not discovered
until the flames had burst through
the roof, and while the few neigh
bors near at hand rushed quickly to
the scene it was utterly impossible
to enter the burning building, due
to the terrific heat, and as conse-
quence practically nothing was saved,
everything in the home becoming
fuel to the flames. The blow falls
with utmost weight on Stacy and his
good wife, Pearl Shaifer, both Of
whom had worked hard and saved
to build home and just as they were
seeing the happy fruition Of their
labors, in the twinkling Of an eye, as
it were, their accumulation of years
is swept away. The house was built
scarcely more than a year ago and
was q very neat, comfortable and
pretty home, with screened porch and
screened throughout and Schillinger
walk from gate to steps. All fur
Musings were new, as they had not
long begun housekeeping. The loss Of
furniture and clothes will certainly
total $500, perhaps more, while the
house completed cost at least $500.
In addition to this loss about $140
in currency was unfortunately at the
time in the house and which was
also lost. The most unfortunate part
Of all there was no insurance car
ried on either building or contents.
Happily they had her mothers home
to enter, for practically all they
saved was the clothes they were
wearing.
Stacy Pollard is one Of the best
young colored citizens Of this parish,
or indeed Of any parish. He has ever
conducted himself honorably and with
great sense Of self respect and has
always enjoyed the confidence and
esteem Of the white people. When
United States entered the World
War Stacy was among the first Of
the colored troops to 60 out from
Tensas, and was appointed by the
Tensas Draft Board as captain Of the
train Of colored troops en-route to
Camp Pike. Here his intelligence and
physique were recognized and the
spirit Of enthusiasm he displayed was
rewarded by early promotion. He
soon crossed to the other side, where
he saw much Of the fun that soon
put German imperialism in the class
Of "has beens." Returning home he
Immediately resumed his work with
w. R. Baker & Son, in which house
he is fixture and where he is high
ly regarded for his honesty and ef-
ficiency. His wife, Pearl Shaifer, has
ever been an ornament to her race.
Quiet and unassuming, she has al
ways persued the straight and narrow
way and has lived q life without re-
lproach. OF bright mind and having
had good educational advantages she
has served for several years as assist
ant to her brother, Arthur Shaifer,
in st. Joseph colored school. Her
home being her hobby, she has spent
her earnings in its identifying and
her grief was indeed pitable when
she saw all that she had hoped for
and labored for so ruthlessly swept
away.
Much sympathy is felt for this de-
serving young colored couple by their
white friends in their affliction and
. move should be started to assist
them to recoup their losses.