Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-09-06
Families Are HuddIed in
Fair Ground Under Mil
itia Protection.
LOSS Is SIX MILLIONS
Night Fire Sweeps so Blocks of
the City-RehabiIitation
Already Begun.

Hot Springs, Ark. Sept Stun
ned by the extent OF the damage
wrought by last nights fire, which
swept more than fifty city blocks with
en- estimated loss of s6,OOO,OOO, the
Ieople Of Hot Springs today took
first steps toward rehabilitation.
Mayor McGlendon accepted Cover
nor Hays offer of two companies Of
militia and ordered a mass meeting of
citizens to determine whether the
city should call on outside cities for
help. 1t is estimated $500 are home
less. The majority are temporarily
camped on the race track and fair
ground.
Grand avenue. leading from the
burned area to the fair grounds, today
presented a picturesque sight Hun
dreds OF families with what little they
saved from the ruins, wnere they were
saved from the ruins. gathered along
the roadway. gradually working their
way to the camp grounds, where they
will be aided hy. the militia. ..l--.
There Is no danger of water
famine, but the city will be without
electric lights for 60 days. Business
generally is at a standstill.
BUILDINGS DESTROYED.
Amcng the building destroyed were:
The City Light, Power and Railway
company's plants; county court house,
high school building, Park hotel,
Moore hotel, Princess hote., St. Louis,
Iron Mountain and Southern railroad
station and shops. the Arkansas ssnl-
tarium, smaller buildings by the hun
dreds. were reduced to ashes.
But few OF those whose homes were
burned saved any Of their household
effects and gue~s of the hotels gave
little heed TO their valuables and lug
gage in their efforts to escape the
flames.
The fire originated within several
blocks of the United States army and
navy hospital and took south and east
course. Frail wooden structures liz
ahe negro section about Church street,
and Malvern avenue. where the fire
started. made more than ordinarily In
flammab.e by an extended drought
burned like tinder.
APPEAL TO LITTLE ROCK.
Driven by a high wind the fire
spread rapidly. Within 10 minutes it
was apparent that the fire fighting
force of Hot Springs was inadequate
and an appeal was sent TO Little Rock
for aid. Apparatus and men were
sent but the fire was then beyond con-
troL Dynamite was resorted to when
It was apparent that water would be
Of no avail but this also failed TO
check progress Of the flames.
The burned district for some dis
tance skirts the business section and
several times the shifting winds
headed the fire for the principal bust
ness section but each time the free
use ,af explosives and an opportune
change in the wind saved II.
Before nightfall the task of check
ing the flames was abandoned and the
combined fire fighting forces turned
their efforts toward keeping the fire
away from the center Of the city.
This much was accomplished
CITIZENS ORGANIZn
The city at midnight was in dark,
ness except for the glow of the dying
fire, which cast shadows over a scene
of desolation. Early in the evening
Mayor McClendon ordered all saloons
closed and called a mass meeting OF
citizens at the city hall
Two hundred and fifty special OF
ficers were sworn in to patrol the
fire swept district There was no dis
order.
Many offers OF assistants in fire
fighting apparatus. financial aid, food
and clothing have been received but
II Is believed that outside aid viii not
be needed.
Business was suspended last night
except such as was necessary in pro
viding for the immediate wants o.
those who suffered the loss of theiI
homes.
AS a result OF the destruction of the
water. light and power plants. stree
car service was abandoned and news
papers ana other industries which
hare depended upon power from III.
eity's plants. are imperative,