Ruins of House Northport Ave.

Ruins of House Northport Ave.

Ruins of Coombs homestead after fire On February 27, 1898, the house and buildings of the late Captain Robert Hudson Coombs, on Northport Avenue, occupied by his son, Charles Robert Coombs, took fire from an unknown cause. The house was saved in a damaged condition but the attached barn at the rear was a total loss. REPUBLICAN JOURNAL ACCOUNT OF THE FIRE Disastrous Fire _____ The Fine Residence of the late Capt. R. H. Coombs Destroyed, Together with the Family's Favorite Horses and dogs. The fine residence of the late Capt. Robert H. Coombs on Northport Avenue was burned early last Sunday morning. The fire was discovered about 4.45 o'clock and was in the back part of the L, next to the stable. Mr. Jordan W. Coombs who lives next door saw a light and supposed someone was up, but on looking again concluded it was fire and gave the alarm. He succeeded in rousing the inmates, with the exception of Chas. R. Coombs, whose room was in the L over the kitchen and who was nearly suffocated when rescued by his niece, Miss Hattie Coombs. His dog Victor was in the room with him and was choking and coughing when his master was aroused. Mr. Coombs' first thought was for his horses and dogs and he started at once for the stables in hopes to save them, but was unable to do so, and nearly perished in the attempt. He was almost suffocated when rescued. While his property loss was heavy Mr. Coombs grieves most over the loss of his favorites, the horses I. C. and Bob Withers, and dogs Spot and Rex all of which held a high place in the affections of the entire family and their friends, and were Charles' special pets. I. C. was the family carriage horse of his parents, and it was their wish that she should never go out of the family. Bob Withers was a high blooded carriage horse and very intelligent. Two other horses were also burned. They were a valuable gentleman's driving horse owned by Mr. James Taliaferro of Jacksonville, Fla., and the work horse used at the store. The favorite coach dog, Spot, a pet of Capt. Coombs' and the young Irish setter Rex, a remarkably intelligent animal whose education and training Charles had carefully attended to, were burned. Rex was a general favorite, and Spot, though not having so large an acquaintance, was scarcely less so, and many expressions of regret were heard when their loss became known. Two cats, pets of the household, also perished. Owing to the bad traveling it was some time before the alarm could be given and the hose companies arrive. The L, two stables and a carriage house were totally destroyed, but the fire was stopped in the main house. Here the west wall is burned, the roof badly charred, and marks of the fire are seen in every room. The house is practically a total loss, as it would cost more to repair than to build new. The stables were fully equipped with everything that goes to make up a complete outfit for family driving, racing or sporting, with a large variety of vehicles, both on wheels and runners, harnesses, robes, small goods, etc. All is a total loss. Mr. Coombs lost all of his wearing apparel, but the other inmates of the house saved the greater part of theirs. Mr. Coombs had $180 in bills and a gold watch in a vest in his room but the watch and money were found. The watch was but little injured. The bills were somewhat charred, but were all redeemable although the vest in which they were kept was ruined. The greater part of the furniture in the main house was saved, much of it in a damaged condition but there was a considerable loss on the household goods in the L. Capt. and Mrs. Coombs left a large amount of bric-a-brac, relics from foreign lands and family heirlooms. Some were saved in a damaged condition, some intact, and some were lost. Mr. Coombs estimates his loss at about $9,000, on which he had a total insurance of $5,000. The municipal officers held a fire inquest Monday. Charles R and Jordan W. Coombs were examined, giving the particulars of the fire substantially as above printed. The municipal officers decided that the fire originated from causes unknown.