New-York tribune., 1899-07-02
THE KEBO CLUBHOUSE BURNED.
WELL-KNOWN SUMMER RESORT De
STROYED-CROWDS AT THE SCENE

WELL-KNOWN SUMMER RESORT DE-
sTROYED-CROWDS AT THE SCENE.
Bar Harbor, Me. July l (SpeciaD.-The Kebo
Valley Clubs house was burned to the ground
tonight. The fire was first discovered by the
golf professional connected with the club, and.
although it's origin is not definitely known, II is
supposed to have started from an electric wire.
The alarm was sounded at T:30 and at o'clock
nothing remained Of the house except the stone
foundations The building. which was erected in
1887 at a cost of S23 600 contained furnishings
which brought its value up to $4,000 OF which
one-third was covered by insurance. The Fire
Department, which is volunteer service, quick
" arrived on the scene, and had there been any
decent facilities for fighting the fire it could
have been easily controlled. The club however,
is situated two miles out of town, and beyond
the reach Of all water connections except small
supply. garden hose and hand grenades were
the only means available and in a few minutes
the flames had fierce headway.
From the large dining-hal on the ground
floor the fire spread quickly to the upper stories
OF the club. and across the theatre attached TO
the south wing, where many balls have taken
place strong wind. which had been blowing
all afternoon, now seemed to become gale in
its fury. and famed by it. the flames swept all
a great crash the theatre fell sending up vast
cloud Of embers, which were carried on toward
the town. setting fire to numerous frame build
ngs.
All hope of saving the burning building having
been relinqushed attention turned TO the
woods. which, being dry, caught easily. For
time it seemed az If the entire slope OF trees
might go, and, eventually. the town, for the
wind blew directly to the south toward Bar
Harbor Energetic work. however. prevented
this and In a little while the fire in the woods
was under control
Meanwhile. every form OF vehicle had been
pressed into service, and people hurried to the
scene from every direction. The club is stu-
ated in the centre of a deep basin, the sides
of which are formed by the steep rising noun
tain covered with thick fir woods.
In the long meadow before the house hundreds
of spectators were assembled. including many
society people, who came for the last look at
the place that had been 50 we'll known to them.
The original intention Of the management had
been to open the club with a dance on Tuesday
night Nothing of value was saved from the
ashes excepting a small amount Of silVerware
and some rugs. The president Of the club this
year was Or. Robert Amory. of Boston, and the
Board OF Directors included Albert c. Barney,
Wadron Bates, Edmund B. Pendleton, A. How
ard Hlnkle and |. q. Condor. The membership
list included leading society people Of New
York Philadelphia and Boston.
II Is not known just exactly what VIII be
done 10 replace Kebo The clubhouse will certain
ly not be replaced, for the feeling is strong that
a casino in the town proper Is the thing most
needed
Coming as it has, at the very opening Of the
season. matters are complicated, and society Is
at a loss for place in which to hold large en-
tertanments. The Malvern hops will take the
place OF the weekly dinner dances, and work
will probably begin Immediately on a casino, for
which considerable money has already been SUBJ