The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1879-09-27
Last NIGHTS Dispatches.


DEADWOOD. DeDts Z0.-A uTe DFOke out
in the Star bakery, on Sherman street, at
.2:2O this morning, and following that
throughfare swept every thing before it on
Lee, Main, Gold. Wal, Patton and William
streets, and several residences on Centen-
NAL avenue. Famed by light breeze
aud nothing to contend with except very
inefficient fire department, everything was
at the mercy of the flames. Less than
half score of pronounced fire proof ware
houses stood the fiery test. The buildings
being mostly of wood and poorly construct
ed they burned like so much chaff. The
fire spread with such wonderful rapidity
that any attempt at saving anything would
have been useless. All along its course
terrific explosions of gunpowder, petroleum,
liquor, etc, were Of frequent occurrence, and
buildings were blown into atoms.
The hook and ladder apparatus and
hose carriages were the first thing to burn.
leaving nothing but few feet Of worthless
hose with which to battle against the de-
vouring elements The new water works
were tried for the first time yesterday and
this morning they were put to their full
capacity with little success 10 subduing the
flames on account of the scarcity OF water.
The hillsldes were almost a solid sheet Of
flame and water from the boulder ditch
could not be had Otherwise considerable
property would have been saved, as the
ditch ran almost directly over the worst
spot, The widest excitement prevailed
on account of the fearful force Of the
flames, and the people thought Of but lit
tie besides saving their own lives, hundreds
escaping with only their night clothes,
Every team within miles of the city was
called into service to help save what could
be got out.
Probably 1000 people are homeless and
destitute, About 125 buildings, be
sides fifty or sixty dwelling houses
were destroyed and while it is utterly
impossible to get any definite figures
regarding the loss, we'll posted business
men place it from $1,5O0O,O00 to $1,000
600. The fire is still burning, but all its
material Is exhausted and there is no
danger OF its spreading unless there is an
uutavorable change in the wind. The
principal losers are Z. c. Lake, hardware.
100000; insurance, $4,000; Miller &
Mcpherson, grocers, $4,000; uninsured:
NJ. j. Wertheimer & Co., dry goods
100000; insurance, $4,000; Frank
Welch, $35. 900; no insurance. Graves &
Curtis, furniture and china ware, $4,000.
uninsured; Wm. McHugh. liquor dealer,
| $4,000.
Among the heavy losers Gro the First
National Bank, 5000; uninsured Brown.
ing 4 Weringhass, grocers, $50 500; IN
insured; Ben Holstein, grocer, 81 ,00O;
uninsured; MGnter & Liilienthal, cloth
iers, $4,000, insured for $1,000. Several
OF the firms whose FIRE proofs were saved,
have posted notices that they will open for
| business in them on Saturday, Lumber
| is being hauled rapidly and building will
commence as soon as the debris can be
| cleared away 10 far more substantial Way
than before. Most of the merchants who
| have lost their wooden stores will erect
| brick ones in their stead. Labor is in
great demand, and everything presents a
| lively appearance A meeting was held
/ by prominent citizens this afternoon
prompted by numerous thieving opera
tions since the fire broke out, aud many
cases Of lot jumping, at which Hon.
Judge Moody presided 1t was decided
| to call upon Gen. Sturgis. commanding at
Fort Mead, for a company of troops to act
as guards over the property of the unfor-
tunate sufferers By the fire, which request
was promptly complied with and COM
pauy of cavalry at once sent here, together
with two wagons aud two ambulances to
transport destitute citizens to Fort Meade
where they will be furnished with
camps and rations, which kind of
fer was made by Gen. Sturg;s
All saloons are closed by order of tht
sheriff and the city presents an unusually
quiet appearance The Citizens Com
mittee of Safety, numbering seven, was
also appointed at to-days meeting, wht
will assist the sheriff 10 preserving peace
Evil doers if caught will be speedily deal
with. a proposition to organize a Nigi
lence Committee 100 strong was yoteC
down emphaticalIy. The post-of1ice, which
was destroyed, lost $4,000 in postage
stamps and stamped envelopes, but nt
mail was destroyed, aud coaches are run
ming regularly with daily mails. Numer
ous kind offer Of assistance have beer
made by Eastern merchants, but will hard
ly be accepted as the merchants bear thei
losses with the best possible grace and arr
not inclined to place themselves under any
obligations, at the same time appreciatins
the willing offers made by Eastern house,
in all branches OF trade. The surviving
merchants haven't takun advantage Of tn
necessity Of the hour by advancin!
prices on staple groceries, as was general
ly expected, and prices remain the sam
as usual.