The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-04-28
FINISHED.


i The destruction of the NewhaIl house
at Milwaukee, and the terrible conse-
sequences which attended it, had hardly
ceased to be the general topic of CONVEX
sation. before steps had been taken by
Mr. Ben Harper, of this city. to provide
his large and beautiful hote. with first
class means Of escape in case of ffre. After
such terrible calamity had occurred, a
sense of insecurity appeared to be preva
lent everywhere. Although the Harper
house was not out riva]led BY any hotel in
this section, Mr., Harper saw one defect,
which was made. all the more prominent
| by the Newhall catastrophe, and that
was there was not ample means for
escape, should fire break out suddenly in
the night, when the inmates of the house
were wrapped in slumbcr He was
cognfzant of the fact that a great expense
would be attached to the work of putting
up fire escapes. but actqated by progress
sive and unself1sh motives, he ordered Mr.
Benner to do the best work possible, an d
spare no pains to make the escapes coma
plete in every particular.
The work was common ced on the 18th
of March, and was continued without in
terruption until the finishing touches
were made on last Wednesday, April 25th.
This alone. is sufficient proof that nothing
but first class job was executed. The
escapes are so arranged that the inmates
of every room can make an easy exit to
the ground in case of fire. The iron
balconies, of which there are forty, are
guaranteed to support a weight of four
tons. These balconies are supported by
brackets with iron connections running
entirely through the walls and fastened
with nuts on the inside. The windows of
two rooms open on each balcony,
which are useful for other
purposes than for escaping
in case of fire. In summer guests can
have the pleasure of using them to sit on.
and besides they are quite ornamental,
and give the house nice appearance.
The balconies are three feet wide and
about thirteen feet long. On the outer
sides are perpendicular iron ladders run
down to the ground. The ladders are
slight distance from the building in order
that persons can use the wall for a sup
port if they so choose. Square pieces of
iron constitute the steps, with the angles
the foot from slipping, and prevent ice
from forming in the winter. These lad
ders are ten in number, and are placed in
the fir on is and courts, so that nearly every
window and hall in the house opens upon
them. Eight of these ladders extend to
the top story, and the other two run to
the roof. BY the sides of the ladpers, are
three inch wrought iron stand pipes, at
the bottom of which is an automatic
Siamese valve. Valves are supplied at
every floor, so that hose can be quickly
attached and water thrown in all direc-
tions
Such is the Bremen fire escape which
Mr.. Harper has supplied his magnificent
hotel with. 1t cost him So 800 to erect
them. 1t remains to be seen whether
they will ever be called into requisition.
The expense was incurred solely for the
purpose Of making his guests feel secure,
while they were under his protection.
The move is one for which Mr. Harper is
entitled to great credit bis hotel is an
honor to Rock Island, and its patrons are
legion. The reputation of the Harper is
spreading far and wide. and this last and
great improvement will still farther en-
large its good qualities. Besides the fire
escapes, Mr.. Harper has expended an
equally large sum in refitting and re-
furnishing the hotel