The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1871-04-28
THE FIRE FIEND.
xwo Hundred and Fifty Feet Of
wose ana two Engines do Battle
With the Fiery Element.

Taking advantage of the unprotected state
of this city, the Fire Fiend descended upon
it again last night. This time il selected
the workshop and foundry of Mr. Thompson
as its prey. About o'clock last evening,
flames were seen BY passers-by, to issue
from the foundry, known as the Vulcan
Foundry, owned by Mr.. VIM. Thompson
Sons, situated one block above Moline Az
snue, and facing on Arsenal street. The
building, very light built, temporary affair,
was soon burned to the ground, and with it
was destroyed several thousand dollars worth
OF machinery, patterns, and other perishsble
property. The FIRE department arrived on
the spot too late to render any assistance in
saving the building, but nevertheless saved
some Of tbs surrounding property. The
foundry had been in operation throughout
the day, and into the night, and it is sup
posed that flying sparks and the high wind
caused the FIRE.
The building was one of the cheapest,
for the purpose used, that could be erected,
and was designed to be used only as pro
faction from the elements until better one
could be built. The loss Of that, therefore,
is bot small item, when compared with its
contents, which were valued at about 81 900
or S., 900, and consisted of valuable machin-
cry, betting, shafsing, castings, costly pat
terms, and the innumerable tools, etc, ,ot such
an establishment. Some of the machinery
it would be difficult to replace at any price ;
one machine alone, boring mill, cost the
proprietors $3,50O,-it was the largest mill
of the kind in the West, and far better than
can be found in the tourdries of Chicago.
Besides this mill, there was drill press,
four lsthes, bolt cutter, a steam hammer
and plauer, and two steam hammers near
y finished. The value of betting and shaft
ing is best known to those who use those
articles. Among the castings was a mis-
cellsneous assortment of the general job
work of foundry; some pillars and other
ornamental pieces, east last evening, were
taken from the TASKS uninjured.
Messrs. Thompson's heaviest loss is Of
course on machinery, but they also lost q
lot of costly patterns, which we're invGlua
BILE, because of the immediate necessity fol
their use, for although without ma
chinery, their or derU could bt
filled if they possessed the patterns. Tn,
firm had the contract for an ornamental
1 iron fence to surround the national cemetery
: on the Island, and had almost finished tn,
castings when the FIRE occurred, destroying
some patterns and injuring, partly, whA
had been done. The most valuable pattern
II for this contract were saved, and wer
y shown us this morning. They consist of a.
with devices, and are designed for the gate
ways. Mr., Thompson informed Us that b
never had so many orders to fill since
t has lived in this city, and that in ten days
: work he could have filed every order.
II The amount of material, machinery, etc
y rescued from the burning building will nc
d materially change the figures given above
but of course will come in play in the future
The firm had no insurance, on either th'
building or its contents, consequently th'
: loss falls heavily upon them. In 1869 Nj
Thompson suffered loss from the devourin
element, and upon exactly the same spot.
What castings they have to be done, an
G can do, will be done at Butord's pillow work.
,. 1t ia not known, at present, what will h
e done in regard to starting Mr.. Thompson i
D. business again. We understand that severl
,e persons have made offers in that directio
and liberal offers, too, but no decision has
yet been made. Mr.. T. objects to fran
e buildings, and says he viii never again ris
VI his fortune in one of them.
70 The night being pleasant, nearly one hA
II Of the entire population we're on the grount
and universal regret was expressed that Nd
sc Thompson was the victim. The wind beir
in the west, undoubtedly saved the surroun
;" ing property from destruction, for the f
" department were but lily prepared for a
III extended combat with the flames, and b,
the wind veered round to any other point
N. the compass, they would have been as
ed competent to prevent the fire spreading,
v the same mum Der of school boys.
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