Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-04-06
new CLUB HOME
FOR ROCK ISLAND
Option Has Been Taken on the
McHugh Lot on Eighteenth
Street.
MAY BUILD THIS YEAR
Royal Neighbors Given Opportunity
to Acquire Remainder of Lot on
Sixteenth for Quarters.

A handsome modern home for the
Rock Island club is to rise on Eigh-
teenth street between Second and
Third avenues. 1t is possible that
building operations will be commenced
during the present year The site is
to be acquired of Charles McHugh,
former manager of the Harper house,
and now proprietor of the Lexington,
in Chicago. Mr.. McHugh was for
years one of the most active members
of the Rock Island club, and still re-
tains his connection with it. He has
made price on his lot that indicates
he still has a more than passing in
tereSt in the future of the local club.
Mr.. McHugh's proposition has been &C
cepted by the board of directors of
the club, but formal closing of the ne
gotiations have been postponed pend
ing a final answer from the board of
managers of the Royal Neighbors of
America. The latter board has under
consideration a tender of the south
half of the club property at Sixteenth
street and Third avenue, and may de-
sire TO use it in connection with the
new head Office building that it pro
poses erecting on the north half of
the club site.
Business Conferred Here.
1t will be recalled that the Royal
Neighbors, on condition that it CEN
ter its entire head Office business and
clerical force in Rock Island, was Of
fered a building site free through the
Rock Island Industrial commission.
The Royal Neighbors, at the head
camp meeting in Chicago two years
ago, voted that Rock Island be the
headquarters of the society thereafter.
Previously the administrative business
of the society was directed both from
this city and Peoria. and the clerical
force was divided. Since the Chicago
action all of the business of the so
ciety has been carried on from Rock
Island
The Rock Island Industrial commits
sion fulfilled it's promise by purchas-
ing from the Rock Island club the
north half of its property, paying for
the same $4,000. This property a
few weeks ago was transferred to the
Royal Neighbors. In the meantime the
newly formed Moose lodge here has
entered into negotiations for the &C
quirement of the north half of the
club lot, including the clubhouse,
which would be an ideal home for the
new lodge. price of $14,50O has
been set by the club directors on the
property.
Neighbors Given Preference.
The Rock Island club directors feel,
however, fnasmuch as the Royal Neigh
bors' society owns the north half Of
the property, and that it may some
time in the future need additional
room, that that organization should be
given the preference. Accordingly the
Royal Neighbors has been apprised of
the situation, and has been allowed
a week in which to determine its
wishes in the matter
At any rate, the sale of the club
property is assured or the deal has
progressed to the point where the di-
rectors have been warranted in max
ing an offer on the McHugh lot, which
has been accepted, with the under
standing of course, that there will be
no hitch in the negotiations for the
disposal of the clubs present home.