Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1858-07-07
Destructive Fires in Davenport and
Rock Island.

On Monday evening, at about quarter
past eight o'clock, the alarm of fire was
sounded from the other side of the river !;
and Notwithstanding the firemen in COM
mon with the balance of community were
engaged in celebrating, they responded to
the call, and were soon in Rock Island and
at the scene of the fire, which was the new
and elegant three story brick building known
as the Rock Island High School, and which
was in the last stages of completion. This
building has been in process of erection
about two years. The fire was the work Of
an incendiary A gentleman informed us
that while sitting in his house, he observed,
just after dusk, light moving about in the
building, but it was too dark to distinguish
any person. He first discovered it in the
third story, and then in each lower story,
but thinking it was some of the workmen,
took no farther thought until he saw the
flames. The two engines of that city, and
two from this side, were promptly on the
spot, but could not prevent the progress Of
the flames. The whole inside of the build
ing burned out, and yesterday morning the
northwest corner of the walls fell in.
The contractors for building were c.
Atkinson and J. Biddison; the former for
the mason work, and the latter the carpen-
ter work. The original contract was for
$4,000. The contractors were insured for
$4,000. The work already done amounted
to about $4,000. The building was the
finest as we'll as the most expensive one in
that city; and its destruction results not
only in a severe loss to the contractors. but
an incalculable loss to the educational in
terest of that place, as it is not probable it
will be replaced very soon. The structure
was planned and built on the most modern
and improved style, and was great orna-
ment to the city. The loss would have been
materially lessened but from the fact that
the building was so far from the river that
it was with some difficulty that sufficient
water could be obtained for the use of the
engines. This is the second disastrous fire
with which that city has been lately visited
GREAT FIRE IN DAvENPoRT.-While the en-
tire force of the Engine Companies of Rock
Island and Davenport were engaged in
quenching the fire at the former place, the
extensive stables attached to the New Penn.
sylvania House in this city, on Iowa street,
the property of M. c. Davis 4 Son, was seen
to be on fire, and the alarm was immediate
ly sounded. The quick tapping of the bells,
and the signals of distress from the boats,
Immediately caused the Davenport Eremen
to leave and return to this side, but the
building was too much consumed to be saved.
In the stables were some twenty horses. the
property OF guests of that house, the own
ers of which. on hearing the alarm, rushed
to the stables, and, although it was almost
impossible to enter by reason of the smoke,
several did SO, and succeeded in getting
therefrom several horses, but sad to relate,
thirteen which could not be got out, were
left and perished in the flames The scene
was awful to behold, but 20 swift was the
progress Of the flames there was no help for
the poor brutes which thus perishsd. In
the establishment, besides the horses, was
about ten tons Of hay, 800 bushels Of oats,
100 bushels Of corn. several buggies, two
double wapons and 25 setts harness The
loss of Messrs. Davis is about $2.OOO-no
Insurance. One Black Hawk stallion.
the property Of Mr.. Howlsy Of this county.
valued at 81 900. was among those burned.
The entire loss at this fire could not have
been much less than 81, 500.
By the utmost exsrtion Of . large num-
Der Of citisens vino went 70 work with .