Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1901-08-01
Big Lumber Yard and r1anv
Residences Destroyed
Flames FierCely Fought But
Are Uncontrolled

Davenport, July 26.-Fire laid waste
an area of saw mill and residence
property of Davenport last evening
equal to 20 ordinary city blocks. The
flames started at $3.50 in the big piles
of kindling wood of the Rock Island
Fuel company on the levee A brisk
breeze blowing carried the flames di-
rectly across the immense lumber
yards Of the WeyerhauserD enkmann
company, which was soon a seething
mass of flames.
The spread of the fire was so rapid
that the workmen had barely time to
desert the yard, some losing their
coats and dinner pals. The flames
pushed their way into the adjoining
residence district, closely settled with
middle class homes. of an average
value of few thousand dollars each,
from which the occupants escaped
only with their lives and the clothing
on their backs. Over fifty homes
were thus burned and some tene-
ments, resulting in hundreds of fami-
lies being rendered homeless. Thou.
sands of others deserted homes in the
threatened districts and vacant lots
all over town filled with furniture
were imperiled by flames. The fire
was fought heroically by the fire de-
partments of Davenport, Rock Island
and Moline, H.. the latter cities re
spending promptly to the appeal for
aid from here.
Efforts to check the flames were I'M
awaiting till they spread on the north
side to the spacious ground of St
Katherine's hall and the boarding
school of young ladies. which We're
saved after the tower burned off.
Gradually the battle wag,d on the
edges of the flaming district and by
10 o'clock the conflagratiCn was under
control. The mill of the Weyer-
hauser, Denkmann company and
yards were totally destroyed, the loss
being 100000. Residence and other
losses will be 100000 more. The u.
n. Roberts sash and door factory, Red
Racket Pump company Standard Oil
company, the Riverside mill and Day-
escapes, the flames being checked just
before reaching them. 1t is believed
there were no fatalities, although 1t
is impossible to say certainly at this
time.
1t is believed the cause OF the fire
was boys smoking cigarettes on the
levee. Groups of them had been
chased away during the day from the
district where the flames broke out.
The task of fighting the flames was at
tended by great difficulty on account
Of the heat and ambulances we're kept
busy hauling off Frustrated fremen.
The fire was still burning brightly at
l a. m.
Many Left Homeless.
Fortunately a southeast breeze ca =
ried the flames towards the bluffs,
for had the wind blown from the east
the entire business portion of the city
would have been swept away The
entire district from Federal street to
Bridge avenue from the river to Sev-
cnth street was swept clean. The
heat was intense and two ambulancoS
were kept busy hauling away pros
trated persons. In few instances
persons living in the burned district
have not been located by relatives
but it is believed they have escaped.
Many private homes and hotels wer2
turned over to sufferers for the night,
Vacant lots over a large part of the
town were filled last night with house
hold furniture and refugees from the
burned district.