Rock Island Argus., 1905-10-11
FIRE AT ARSENAL
Golf Club House and Stables De.
stroyed in Early Morn.
ing Blaze.
NO THEORY AS TO ORIGIN
Beyond Saving When Discovered-Sev
en- Horses Perish-15o Golf Out
fits Lost.

Fire of unknown origin early this
morning destroyed the Rock Island Ar
senal Golf club house and the stables
housing the private horses and rigs OF
the officers of the post. With the club
house burned, the golf outfits of the
100 members of the club and seven
horses perished in the stables. The
total loss will be about 81, 800 with lit
tie insurance.
About 3 o'clock this morning the
flames were first observed at the club
house. By the time the alarm was CIV
en- and the fire fighting apparatus of
the arsenal assembled at the scene the
fire had obtained such headway both
in the club house and the stables which
adjoined that il was useless to attempt
to combat them and all attention was
turned to saving such of the property
as could be gotten out. In the end of
the stable where the fire started were
seven horses, one belonging to the gov
ernment, four TO Col. Blunt, one TO
Maj. Baker and one TO Capt. Thomp-
son and they could not be gotten out.
Three other animals further away were
rescued and most of the carriages and
harness were saved.
Loss on the club house will be about
$500. 1t is insured and will be re-
built. The golf outfits that were de-
strOyed were valued at on an average
about SIS. Loss on the stables was
about $4,000 and they will not be re-
built. other arrangements being made
to house the horses and carriages of
the officers. There was some insurance
on the horses. which were valued at
about $500. The government carries
no insurance on its property.
Heavy LOSS at Moline.
Probably more than $4,000 loss will
be occasioned to the Mutual Wheel
company, of Moline, by the fire in the
dry house which broke out at = O'Clock
yesterday afternoon as related in yes
terday's Argus. and which is still burn
ing. 1t is expected that the last spark
Will not be eXtinguished for two days.
A most peculiar problem was fur
nished the fire department of Moline.
There being no windows and the doors
being closed air was excluded and the
flames made slow progress in the be-
ginning. This is the reason that the
fire burns so slowly. At the same time
the lack of opening and the high walls
have rendered it impossible to get wa
ter into the building in sufficient guam
titles to do much good
A crew of men is kept on the scene
TO prevent any possibility of spread
and water is kept Playing on the ruins
Last night the regular firemen. who
were exhausted, were sent TO their
hose houses and recruits were provid-
ed i'll their places. Last night the city
main which supplied part of the water
used. burst at Twelfth street and Third
avenue. Little difficulty was had, how
ever in getting an ample quantity
through the big private factory main
laid along the tailrace last year.
Walls VIII stand.
The walls of the burning building
are expected to be left IN condition
so they will not have 10 be torn down
and the operation of rebuilding, which
will be begun as soon as possible, will
be facilitated greatly. 1t is said by of
ficers of the company that the opera
ions of the plant will not be greatly
hampered by the destruction of the
material in the dry house