The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1910-07-26
CLUBHOUSE
FIRE SWEPT
Whippany River Organization
Made Homeless by Early
Morning Blaze.
HORSES SAVED FROM BLAZE

HUNSES 0AVEU INVNA DAsfAN-A
By a fire which broke out early
Thursday morning the Whippany
River club was made homeless, the
clubhouse, stables, racquet court
carriage house and riding academy all
falling prey to the flames. The loss
on the buildings will aggregate close
TO $40, 900 while the club will lose So,
600 on its furniture and equipment.
The property was owned by Eugene
Higgins.
The blaze was discovered by the
steward of the club, John Flattery,
who with Charles Sanders, head wait
er, occupied an apartment in the
building. Flattery said ne was
awakened by an explosion which he
thinks came from the electric switch
board in the basement. He found the
roof of the ball room wing atire ano
with Sanders tried to extinguish the
flames. Finding their efforts inef-
fectual Flattery telephoned to police
headquarters for the firemen. Rounds
man Theodore L. Rolf kot in COM
munication with Second Assistant
Chief Engineer Robert Mack and the
latter went to the fire with the auto
mobile chemical engine and the HUI
name Engine company's hose wagon.
Chief Mack saw on his. arrival that
the flames were beyond control and
ordered a general alarm to be sent in.
There is only one fire hydrant on
the grounds and that is supplied by a
small water main so the tiremen were
practically powerless to stop the sweep
of the flames. An effort was made to
save the stables and carriage house 10
the rear but the one stream OF water
available was not sufficient to stop
the onrush of the fire.
After telephoning for the fremen
Flattery carried to safety the books
and papers Of the club, the cigars and
LIQUORS and some of his personal be-
longings.
John Lane, in charge of the stables,
hustled out the forty horses which
were in the buildings, turning them
loose in the paddocks. Among the
horses were fourteen polo ponies
owned by the club, eight the property
OF A. Fillmore Hyde, four belonging
to Kenneth Schley and tour to Charles
Mum. The other horses were hunters
and jumpers, four owned by DR.. Fred
H..Humphreys, three by Richard d..
Williams, two by Rear Admiral Philip
Fl. Cooper and two by Mrs. Joseph g.
Willis. In the stable was a ton and a
half OF hay which was, destroyed.
Thirty tons Of hay in a barn on an
other section of the grounds was not
damaged. All the carriages, saddles
and harness were saved, the only
article burned in the stables being a
small two-wheeled cart.
The automobile chemical engine was
sent back from the fire to its quarters
early as was the First Ward Hose COM
pany. The team used for Humane
engine was used by Driver Harry
Dunlap to take the hose wagon to the
fire and in consequence the company's
steamer did not respond to the alarm.
Washington engine was coupled to
the hydrant on the grounds but the
water supply was so inadequate that
it did not have sufficient to use the
full force of the pumps.
While on the way to the fire Reso-
ute Hook and Ladder company's
truck was stalled on the Evergreen
avenue hill. Alderman r. Rallston
Reed came along in his automobile
and towed the machine to the top of
the hill and it was there metSby the
Humane's team which assisted Driver
Ed. Ridge and his equines the rest OF
the way to the fire.
The Whippany River club had a
lease on the grounds which expired
next March. 1t Is said that Mr.. Hig-
gins offered to sell the property to the
club for $4,000 and the club offered
him s45, 900. The negotiations then
were discontinued.
Chief Day and several members OF
the Independent Hose company went
to the Whippany River club Friday
morning on the auto chemical engine
and pulled down the chimneyS OF the
building. they being menace to fife.