Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1892-08-22
MiLAN'S MISFORTUNE,
Six of Its Business Houses Go ND
in Smoke.
"A Fla rec Fire Breaks Nut mr. o,c,ocE
Ahis Morning, and Destroys
several Ruildings-The Loss.

Unlucky Milan. which has SO often
been visited by such appalling conflagra-
tions, was the scene of another big blaze
al an early hour this morning, that for a
time threatened the destruction of the
entire business part of town. and it was
only by favorable elements and host of
willing hands that a much more serious
loss was averted.
At O'Clock this morning fire was dis
covered by some people passing Gold
smiths shoe store, located on the south
side of Third street The fire was in be-
tween the shoe store and a vacant build
ing owned by W. A. Ruge. The alarm
was Immediately given. and the startled
lnha bitants rushed from their homes to
find adjoining frame bull dings in a mes.
The Milan fire department turned out in
good time, and before many minutes had
elapsed large force of men were assist
ing the dc partment. Owing probably to
the dry condition of everything the flames
spread very rapidly, and it was seen be-
fore long that it would be impossible to
save the immediate buildings. and the
attention of the brigade was then turned
to the adjacent structures.
The heat from the burning buildings
was so intense that nearly every pane Of
glass in the windows across the street
was either cracked or broken, and it was
with difficulty that those who fought the
fiery element were able to keep water on
the row OF business houses opposite that
fairly smoked under the scorching heat.
Several times the fire appeared on the
roofs of the buildings near by, but by
prompt and willing action it was con-
fined to the BLOCK in which it started,
though had the wind been blowing a lit
tie stronger nothing could have pre-
vented it from sweeping the block Of BUSH
ness houses opposite. The fire started
in the middle of the block and burned
about 75 feet each way. Six buildings in
all were destroyed as follows:
One story frame building, unoccupied,
owned by a. L. Framing. Loss, $500; no
insurance.
Two story frame building owned by
W. A Ruge and occupied by him as a
saloon and upper story for residence.
l. ,ss, So 900; insurance, $4,000.
One story frame building. unoccupied,
owned BY W. A. Ruge. Loss, $500.
One-story frame store building, owned
by William Goldsmith and occuniea by
him as a shoe store Loss, 80 900; no in
surance.
Double two-story frame residence and
store building, owned by Mrs, N. d.
Bradley. and occupied by James CLOVIS
restaurant and grocery. Loss on building,
5000; insurance, $3.50.
One>story frame office building, occu-
pied by Ed. Nice as a barber shop. Loss.
$500; no insurance.
In addition to the above James Glow
will svstain loss of of $500 to $1,000
on his stock. and the loss on w. A.
Ruges furniture and stock is hard to es-
innate, though it will be at least $500
more so that the whole amount will foot
up to the amount of over $4,000
1t is q severe blow to the little town,
which was just recovering from the dam
ages caused by the late high water.
The fire is supposed to be the work of
an iucendiary, as the place where it
started was back nearly 80 feet
from the street between the
buildings which would tend to dislodge
any theory that it came from cigar
stub or match, though any reason for the
dastar6ly act is unknown.
The little town presents very desc
late appearance today, the fire having
destroyed one of the principal blocks in
the business portion OF the town, but IN
all probability a number OF the buildings
will be rebuilt at once.