The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1875-11-23

~ n Xm
The ARGUS, last evening, contained full
particulars of the death of Vice President
Wilson, II hours in advance of all other
papers.
George Marshall, son-in-law of Police
Magistrate Swander,is happy. 1t is boy
of the usual weight but its name is not
Anthony"
The new water wheels were in motion
yesterday, at Deere & Co. 8 pillow works.
The power was weak, hardly sufficient to
keep the trip hammers in motion.
Chris, Huehl has purchased the West
ern House property for $500. He has
been the keeper of the hotel for some
time and intends building brick edifce in
the spring, on the site of the present
building. Chris is whole souled Ger
man, aud deserving of success.
On Thanksgiving evening one of the So
cial events Of the season will occur at
Tilnm Hall, upon which occasion the
Young Mems Social Club will give dance
which promises to be recherche in eyery
respect. The committee of arrangements,
NJ. Mckinley, w. A. Shields and VIM.
Lewis, have been quietly attending to the
details, and, judging from the preparations
made. those who are fortunate enough to
be present will be we'll paid for time spent.
The floor managers, w. V. Cooper and
Lawrence Hemenway, are experts in ter
pischorean matters, which is sufficient
guarantee that the duties of their position
will be properly performed. Excellent
music will be in attendance and an excel
lent supper served during the evening.
The dances of this club are always splen-
didly managed and this event will be no
exception.
The Sugar Hollow drain difficulty is no
nearer settlement than ever, and, from
present indications, suit against the city
at the January term OF court is inevitable.
The city authorities have no one but them
selves to blame if such result is produc
ed, as every effort has been made and dis
position shown by the residents of the Hol-
low to concede rather than litigate; but
the counsels of the wiser heads have
been overruled and the matter allowed to
be controlled by few interested parties
who have nothing but personal ends to
crafty in the matter. 1t would appear
best for the city to compromise the case,
if practicable, as suit would doubtless be
adverse to the city At present the case
is pretty we'll muddled, and unless some
thing is done soon an expensive litigation
is sure to follow.
The Moline Fire.
| The fire at j ohnson's saloon Monday
afternoon, short account of which ap
peared in The ARGUS of that evening, re.
suited, as then stated, in totally destroying
three buildings, owned by Albert Johnson,
involving loss of 50, 800. Insurance So,
500 as follows: j. s. Gilmore's agency
Phoenix, of New York, $1,000; National o.
Hartford $1,000, Clendenin, & Wells.
Lycoming, of Pennsylvania, $500; the last
named being on the furniture, portion Of
which was saved. There are three mort
cages against the property, to the follow
ing parties: Nelse 2. Venburg $500, Sc
cured by endorsement on insurance policy
Gilpin Moore, 5000 on lot and fixtures
not ipdorsed on any of the policies. The
other mortgage is in favor of FL. l.. Bull
lin,
The fire was first discovered in thu
northeast corner of the saloon building, b,
Wash Barr and Dane Burger. The for.
mer quickly notified the occupants of thei
danger while the latter sounded the alarm
from the engine house, The flames rap
idly spread and before the fremen coul,
get to work, had gained such Roadway as
to render it imp ossible to save the build
iags. The depot now seemed to be threat
to saving that building and the surround
ing property, which. by strenuous exertion
was finally done.
The fire department was slow 10 gettin
at wark, although no blame can attach t
that organization as it was long while be
fore water could be obtained. Deere an
Co, and the Moline Plow Co., had thei
apparatus on the ground and rendere,
valuable assistance. The engine was sta
toned on the river bank and did excelleu
service Had higa wind been prevailing
at the time, the depot and perhaps a goo(
portion Of the surrounding property must
have been burned; our imperfect fire pre-
lection would have been unequal to tn
task OF saving it.
Mr. johnson was absent from the CITY
at the time and had not returned at tn
time for going to press. The origin of tn
fire is unknown, but is supposed to be tn
word of an incedeniary; this, however
cannot be ascertained until the case is il
vestigated.
The occupants of the boarding hous
in the rear lost nearly all their clothing, an
! most of the furniture. Had the waite
i main been laid, the buildings could hav
0 been saved; so much, however. for alder
p manic stupidity and obstinacy.
1t is asserted, by those who claim t
Q know and are willing to qualify to their state
y ments, that Albert johnson. whose rea
e name is Olof Johnson, while resident q
!; Sweden, burned his property there, secure
L his insurance and fed, but was so closel
y followed by the officers of the law that h
friends put him in sack and by this NEAR
. succeeded in getting him aboard the vesse
and that he (Johnson) after the vesse
o sailed made himself known to thosel o
: board and reached this country in safety
n There are those who do not hesitate t
: charge johnson with having wilfull
Y caused the destruction of his property
j get the insurance, and inasmuch as on
t one mortgage was secured by an indor
: ment on the policy it would appear prob;
. BILE, as unless endorsed on the policies til
o mortgages on the dwelling are valueles
The case seems to be shrouded in myster
!. and public opinion is almost univers
g against Johnson, who is charged with pul
: posely absenting himself from the city fl
e obvious reasons. The fire was burnin
K fully ten minutes before Barr discovered
;, and it seems strange that the occupants
v Johnson's house should be SO thorough
J. oblivious to the occurrence. The case wi
e be thoroughly investigated before the il
), surance will be paid.