Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-08-21

The most destructive fire that Rock
Island has had for many months, occurred
last night. Il broke out about II O'Clock
In the storeroom 1908 Third avenue, oc-
cupied by John Evans feed store, and
had gained much Roadway when discov,
cred by a reighbor. and an alarm was
sent in from the Fourth ward. The
Phoenix boys responded in good time,
especially for volunteers, the other COM
panies following soon after. but the
flames seemed to have undisputed sway.
and were viclously Kissing their defiance
to all efforts to subdue them when the
first stream of water was turned on.
The fire. which evidently had Its origin
in stack Of brooms near the front of
the store, soon spread to the rear, lick
ing up the inflammable material, which
encouraged it's progress and enlarged the
volume of lis fury. 1t was hard, hot
hight for the firelnen. but they stood the
test admirably. and while the customary
lack of system. discipline and concen-
trated effort was noticeable, as is always
the case with q volunteer department, the
boys as individuals fought courageously
and, let it BE- said to their credit, saved
the adjoining building on the west. The
names were in reality driven right
through the building and as soon as they
we're conquered in front. burst out in the
rear. but bountiful supply of water soon
had the furious element under control,
though the building. three STORY brick,
was completely Quilted. 1t was one of the
hottest fires ever seen in Rock Island
for its size, and the interior of the
store had the appearance of view
| OF flaming oven. the contents of the
store, dry grain and oil. being as hereto
fore said, a feast for the flames rapid
consumption The heat was so intense
as to literally break the windows in the
front and side of the building to atoms.
The building is owned by the j. B.
Ellis estate and occupied on the frs;
floor by John Evans flour and feed store
The second floor was occupied by Super
intendent of Streets H. G. Harris for
dwelling. while the third was used as a
lodge room. The work OF destruction
was complete as regards personal prop
erty all the way through the building.
MIR. Evans loses several bins of grain.
bran, a car load of nay aud considerable
straw besides oil. salt, etc. Mr.. Harris
lost all his household effects through fire,
smoke and water, entsiling loss of
$3.50, without insurance. Mr.. Harris
and his son barely escaped from the
burning building with their lives. The
rooms on the third floor. which were
used by King solomon lodge, a colored
society, were not damaged A plate
glass window in the storeroom in III.
Tremann's block west, was cracked
while the household property OF Mr.. L.
Weckle. whose family lived in the floor
above. was more or less damaged by
smoke, carpets. sheets, etc., being black
ened.
The damage to the building will be
about 50 900, which is amply covered by
insurance of $1,000 in the Rockford
company, willie MIR. Evans. the next
heaviest loser, whose stock was de
stroyed. is out $500. on which there is
5000 insurance.
There is great deal of speculation as
to the origin of fire, which in many re-
spects was most peculiar. Indications
point strongly to incendiarism. but who or
what motives actuated the act, is still an
unsolved mystery. Those who first dis
covered the blaze say it was in stack OF
broOms near the front window, and the
door being broken open. the flames burst
| forth from al parts of the room as if SIM
| ply awaiting the vent that the open door
gave them. Another peculiar feature was
the discovery of oil running from a tank
10 the rear part of the store. and upon
examination the faucet was found to be
open and seemed to have been SO for
some time as there was considerable oil
on the floor.