Rock Island Argus., 1896-07-03
TOWER Inn HAS GONE.
Beautiful Pavilion DESTROYED
by Fire.
PEOPLES PRIDE IN RUINS.
Romantic Structure Razed to
the Ground.
Willing Workers Powerless
to Prevent.
FLAMES FAIRLY REVElLED.
Contents, However, All Res
cued.
Everything to Go Off To-
FLAMES FAIRLY REvELLED.
Contents, However, All Res
cued.
Everything to Go Off To.
morrow, Though.

Black Hawk Watch Tower Inn, the
pride Of the three cities, is no more.
The beautiful and romantic struct-
ure was completely destroyed by fire
between $3.50 and 4:3O this afternoon.
Although plenty of men we're about
the building and did all they could
to save it, they we're powerless. and
were obliged to stand back and see it
60. In the absence of water protec-
tiou nothing could be done. The
loss to the Tri-City Railway company
is $40. 900, on which there was insur-
ance of $1,000.
The fire broke out in the SC utheast
turret OF the Tower and caught from
an electric wire which was not prop
erly insulated. Electrician Fiebig
was working in the building at the
time-although the defective wiring
was not his-putting in the appara-
tus for an electric ice cream freezer
and fans to be used tomorrow.
When notified. Mr.. Fiebig and Assis-
tant Manager Linn rushed to the
turret with buckets of water. There
were plenty of men about the grounds,
with line men, track men, motor
men and conductors, and they made
an onslaught on the fire-but it had
gained toe great hesdway. The
flames seemed to revel in their work
OF destruction. The great, seething,
red tongues shot out through the
windows and in 10 minutes the beau
tiful building was beyond help.
There was no water to battle with
such an element. Fiebig quickly or
ganized a salvage corps, and every
thing in the building. even to the
piano-except some Of Mrs. Linn's
personal effects in the upper story
was carried safely out. Then there
was nothing to do but stand help
lessly by and witness the destruc-
tion by the fire demon. The wind
blowing from the south, it is be-
lieved the band stand will be saved.
although it will be badly scorched.
The other buildings about the
grounds are all out of harms way.
The building was Queen Ann in
architecture and built in 1892 at a
cost of $4,000. 1t has been i'm
proved from time to time and was q
beautiful building handsomely fin
ished and furnished, and was an
ornament to the community. The
building will be rebuilt at once, Cen
eral Manager Lardner having given
orders to Architect Hammatt this
afternoon to draw plans for another
building at once. Manager Charles
McHugh. Of the Inn, is probably the
heaviest actual loser. Although all
his effects belonging at the Inn were
saved, he is out in material, etc.
about $500, on which there is insur.
ance Of $500.
Tomorrow Program win He Carried Out.
Despite the great loss to the Tri-
City Railway company everything
will be carried out tomorrow as
usual. as MIR. Lardner announced
late this afternoon. Provision will
be made to accommodate all de-
string refreshments, and of course
the loss Of the Inn does not interfere
with the performances at the summer
theatre.
The destruction of the Inn will
arouse a general expression of pro-
found regret. not only at the loss Of
the lovely structure, but in sympa-
thy for the enterprising street rail-
way people who have met with re-
verses already sufficient to discour-
age people Of less pluck and deter
min alton.
1t is happy thought to know,
however, that . new inn will be
erected without delay.
Oransemea's Picnic.
The Orangemen of Presumption
and Reynolds will celebrate the
2O6th anniversary of the battle Of
the Boyne. Saturday. July IL. at
David Littie's grove, two miles north
OF Presumption. The procession will
leave the hall, one mile west OF Pre-
emption. At 9 O'Clock a. M, and will
be accompanied by brass and mar
tial music. Members of A. P. A.
councils, either in body, or as in
dividuals, are invited to march in
the professor. G. W. King. r. P.
Eubanks. and other speak. The
singing will be the Rock Island Tin
Bucket quartet. From 5000 to
1900 people attend these annual
midsummer picnics. This year the
Orangemen have room and will be
prepared to care for the wants of
100000. There are 200 acres OF
shade with abundance Of water. ].
T. Johnston is president of the day.
and D. B. Clarke and Henry Blake ely
grand marshals.