The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-23
[ N I l E [ BLOCK |S THREATE NED WIEN STRUCTURE BURNS
Fireman Injured While Bat ting With FIames-CabIe
 Lines Are Cut
TENNESSEE VALLEY BUREAU I
 THE AGE-HERAID
 AlbDpy-Dpcotu Alb Juna


 during the boom days of 1887 is nothing but a smoldering mass of wreckage tonight, following a spec tacular fire Friday morning. when flames completely destroyed the building.
 Only splendid work by the fire de- partments of Albany-Decatur and the Louisville and Nashville shops pre- vented spread of the flames to the entire residential block. Several ga- rages and barns in the rear of the Tavern were burned and residences for distance of half a. block were scared by the heat of the confla grafton. The heat became SO intense it made fire fighting difficult.
 Originated In Attic.
 The fire originated in the attic Of the building. It's cause is not yet established. The flames rapidly licked up the dry timbers of the building and as the immense pieces of spark-ridden wood came tumbling down into the street fear was ex- pressed for pedestrians and the small army of firemen.
 There was only one minor casual ty. Fireman Hartselle being knocked down by the force of stream of water. He retained his hold on the slippery rails of the second story balcony however. and was not se- riously hurt. Slightly before noon the flames were brought under con- trol, so far as adjacent property was concerned. The firemen were aided in their battle to prevent spread of the fire by numerous volunteers with garden hose. who kept the roofs and sides of other buildings wet while the three departments were alert for flying sparks.
 Frame Building Was Dry.
 The building was frame, and after its 36 years of use was dry as kin ding. Had the flames started In the bottom and burned upward, little doubt Is expressed that large sec ton of the center of Albanys resi- dential area would have been de- stroyed.
 A cable line was burned in the alley behind the Tavern and a num- Der of phones were put out of com mission as a result. When the flames began whipping about electric light lines Chief of Police Bell ordered the current cut off and Albany was hour. Workmen cut all lines leading into the threatened section and the power then was turned on.
 The Tavern was owned by c. F. Malone and was operated as a board ing house. MT. Malone stated to- night his plans for future disposition of the property have not yet been made.
 O J I)
 Show Place Many Years.
 The Tavern, show place of north Alabama for many years, was erected in 1887 by the old Decatur Land, Inn provement and Furnace com pany, which organization was vitally in terested in the establishment of New Decatur now Albany.
 Work on the structure was begun in 1887 and completed In 1888, when it was opened amid blaze of glory. Prominent people from far and near attended the opening of the beautiful hostelry. State officials, leading Iaymen, well-known politicians, re- ligiCus leaders, capitalists and per sons only interested in the develop ment of new cities, gathered here for the suspicious occasion.
 The Tavern was the dream of city builders who hoped for a city over night. That business depression and other considerations nipped the boom in the bud was no fault of the build CTS of the Twin Cities. They builded for the future, but the city's future was longer arriving than they had believed.
 The Tavern was too big, too costly and it was stated today that it never paid. As an advertising feature, however, it served its builders we'll for people from all sections of the
  stopped under Its historic roof and carried away vivid impressions of its splendor.
 Beautiful Finishings.
 Every foot of lumber in the build ing was furnished by the late J. D, Jervis. who at that time operated the Jervis Lumber company A. D. Jervis. brother Of the deceased lum- bermen, today stated that when the Tavern was built there were half a dozen Welsh boys here. The beauti- full hardwood finishings, the stair way and the hand-carved interior work of the Tavern stood until to- day as a monument to their skill.
 All of the work in erection of the Tavern is said to have been done by the day. The Decatur Land lm- provement and Furnace company employed it's own mechanics and their officials supervised the construction. At the time 1t was declared the Tavern cost $75,00O exclusive of It's handsome furniture and equipment, . which probably doubled the original nvestment Handsome Carpets.
 Brussels carpets were in every | room of the three and half stories Every convenience known to mod ern hosteiries at that time was 
 Elaborate decorations were placed | in the lobbies ballroom and dining | room. The dining room silver was said to have been as handsome as | any found in exclusive homes.
 The hotel was built before the advent of the city water works plant and from a well on the old Bucheitt | property. now bottling plant, was | pumped the water for the Tavern in its infancy. The hotel was one of | the first buildings connected with | the cfty's first sewer lines. Sev- | eral boilers in the rear of the build ing took care of the heating and | water for the building. while huge | reservoir kept in storage at all times 8 reserve supply of water.
 The hotel never paid dividends and 1t was recalled by older residents today that it was said al the time | the dining room was operated at a | loss of from three to four thousand | dollars a month for long period. |
 CITY GOES OVER TOP
 Albany and Decatur are declared | to be over the top in the drive for funds for the Tennessee River Inn provement association.
 The chairman of the committee in Albany-Decatur today announced | . that the quota of s2.5O0 had prac- tically all been subscribed and that | the remainder will be given within | bany and Decatur will go over the top was telegraphed today to head quarters of the association in Wash ington.
 The interest in the drive has been increased by recent declaration that the association will use the funds to | help the development of Muscle Shoals | aciy y,trIxy fD..