Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1892-02-27
FOOD FOR THE FLAMES.
The Electric Plant of the PeOpIe's
Light and Fuel Co Gone.
\ Fire in Moline Lart Evsntpg That
caused a Less Of $4,000 and
Enveis p the city In
BarISness-ExtentO
the DamagA.

One OF the most disastrous and eX-
ceedinglY unfortunate free that has &C.
cured in this vicinity for years was the
burning of the Peoples Light and Fuel
company's electric light and power plant
situated just over the Moline line, briefly
alluded 10 in last nights ARGUS. The
exact cause of the fire is not known, but
as it originated in that part of the build~
| ing whore tie switch board of the
Gynsmo, that furnishes a current for the
Moline Central street car line, is situated,
il is supposed that a heavy load being
drawn over the Moline hill caused the
are calculated TO save injury to the
immature, to burn out; that the flames
caught the woodwork which was satu-
rated with oil, ard spread rapidly. The
Moline volunteer department turned out,
but before any effectual work could be
done the entire portion of the building
used as an engine and dynamo room was
in mass of flames. The boiler room
was saved with difficulty, but not before
the roof had been considerably damaged
The portion Of the building DESTROYED
fronts the tail race of the Moline Water
Power company from which it receives
its power through 200 foot f1ume The
bridge which carries the shafting leading
from the water wheels also took fire and
burned flercely. Nothing could be done
to save this, and when the supporters
burned away the six 600 horsepower
water wheels together with the shafting,
ETC., precipitated into the river. 1t would
cost about 1924 900 to replace this alone.
but as part o. it can be taken out of the
river. the less will probably not be more
than SIG, 600 to $4,000. On this there
was not cent of insurance, as the com
psny thought fire could never reach it.
The loss on the building and machinery
will be heavy. 1t was valued
at about $4,000; on this there
was $4,000 insurance on the
machinery and So, 900 on the building,
and as the boiler room and contents were
saved it is thought that the total amount
of the loss amounts to about $4,000.
The officers imme dately, after ascer-
tanning the extent of the damage, placed
telegraphic orders for new engines, dy-
namos, etc, hich will be brought here
| as speedily as possible, and in the mean
time arrangements were made with Elec-
trical Engineer Fredericks, of the street
railway company, whereby the motor
circuit in the two cities by which power
is furnished many industries, including
THE ARGUS. is complete again today. The
Rock Island Lumber Co. and DimOck.
Gould & Co. will furnish power for the
arc light system for public lighting and
also The business houses using the same.
The ircsnde scent lamps cannot be used
until the special dYnamos are replaced.
which will be rs soon as possible.
The dynamo belonging to the Central
street railway company entails loss of
about So 600, on which there was insur.
ance of $500 in Hodgson's agency. the
policy carried by the Security of Phila-
delphia.
AS a result Of tie fire the city was en-
veloped in almost total darkness last
night. and those depending upon the
plant for power, were unavoidably in
convenierced, and this will serve as an
explanation OF the late delivery of THE
ARGUS last evening.
The public, no matter how much in
convenienced. will be lenient with the
company in the misfortune which has
overtaken it and the Messrs. Davis are
sparing no exertion to re-establish the
plant and provide for the accommodation
| of their patrOns mean while.