The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1908-08-06
-Four Corners" Resort Totally
Destroyed by Fire at an Early
Hour This Morning
CAUSE OF FIRE UNKNOWN
Two Care Takers were in Charge of the
Building When the Fire Broke
Out Firemen in Kenosha
Decline to go to Fire
(From Tuesdays Daily

(From Tuesdays Daily
The -Four Corners had it's ending
just after two O'Clock this morning
when the old sore spot of the town of
Pleasant Prairie was completely de-
stroyed by fire and the smouldering
ruins are all that is left this morning
of the building which has been the
cause of so much contention in the
courts Of Kenosha county during the
last two years. The fire broke out
just before two O'Clock and 1t is de
ciared that it was Of incendiary origin.
Two caretakers were in the building at
the time of the fire, but they have not
been able to throw any light on the
FIRE and Sheriff Pfennig is Investigating
with the intent Of getting at the facts
in the case.
It is claimed that the fire destroyed
not only the building, but all the fix
lures of the saloon and the rooming
house in connection. The women who
had been in the building on Sunday
right left for Milwaukee after the hear
ine before Court Commissioner Buck
master on Monday afternoon.
The building was erected about eight
years ago at cost of So, 500 and the
insurance on the building was $4,000
1T was in the name of James Rategan,
the owner of the property. The fix
lures in the saloon owned by the
Fortune Brothers Brewing Company
were insured for $3.50.
The report that the building had been
burned to the ground following the fire
on Monday morning caused something
OF a sensation. When the fire was
well under way the people at the place
called the Kenosha department and
asked for aid, but as the building is
located more than mile from tn,
city and the fire had the place doomed
the members of the department. declin-
ed to go out to the fire and there was
nothing to do but allow the building
tt burn. The fire attracted many farm
ers in the neighborhood, but they were
powerIess to aid in saving the frame
building.
The burning Of the place will I'M
doubtedly cause rejoicing among the
reform elements as it will remove any
possibility Of the re-opening Of the
place. The officials will go into the
matter of the fire deeply as the fact
that two fires were discovered here in
us many days seems to give the impress
sion that there was a determined idea
to burn the building. The blame is
not being laid at any ones door at
the present time, but it is pretty GER
tain that the insurance companies will
demand a most searching investigation
before the money is paid to the men
claiming the losses.
The fire removes one Of the real
causes for excitement in the county
and the people will recall the many
raids that have been made on the place
at the demand of the Civic Federation.
Early this morning District Attor-
ney Baker and Sheriff Charles Pfennig
were at work on the case and they
made a hurried trip out to the resort
and found that there was little doubt
but that the fire was of an incendiary
origin. They ordered the arrest of Ed.
Ashman, Gus Wilbur and Mike Griffith
Oh suspicion and these men were placed
ia jail. Then the officers hurried to
Milwaukee to make further arrests in
the matter.
Tt was later discovered that there
was insurance to the amount Of $4,000
on the furniture and stock in the house
which had been made out to Rose Kings
ton who is said to be also known as
Rose Parker. So far as can be learned
Mrs. Kingston was in Milwaukee at
the time the fire took place.
The state fire marshal has been call
ed to the city to take up the further
Investigation Of the case and whole
sale arrests may be made Griffith was
not connected with the operation Of
the resort. He claims to be resident
ot Milwaukee and a horse trader and
he stated to the officials that he did
not reach the place until after the fire
was over. 1t was stated by the in
.snrance agent who wrote a $4,000 policy
on the furniture in the house short
time ago that this covered large
number of diamonds owned by Mrs.
Kingston. 1t is admitted that the dia-
monds we're not in the resort when it
was burned.
The case promises to be one of the
most sensational known in this county
n many years.
The Rhode Opera House will open
It's REGULAR season on Sunday August q