Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-06-05

foundations, all because the aIcuitSct
made a mistake. The water spouts
which carry off the water, or which are
supposed to carry it off during a rain,
nave served their purpose well-that is
| up until last night. When the new
building was erected no such cloud
burst as that experienced last night
was ever expected, and the result was
that the water spouts and troughs on
| the city hall were far too small to ac-
| commodate the rushing torrents which
| poured down the sloping roof, and the
| interior of the building was flooded
| from top TO bottom as though it were
| mere seive.
Chief at Theatre.
Chief of Police Bisant was occupy
ing a pew at a local movie house, or
photo drama, as the local officers more
| dignifedly call it, when the rain start
ed. AS time went on it increased in
volume. and the chief became nervous.
Down it came in torrents I'M
til it seemed that the big dipper must
have tipped over and spilled its con-
tents onto innocent Moline.
Suddenly the chief remembered that
his pet Ford car was peacefully repos-
ing in the police garage, and that
there was a possibility of that place
being flooded. He therefore betook
himself out into the raging storm
bound for the police station.
The scene now changes to the inter-
ior of the police department at the city
hall. The desk sergeant and one Off
,I~a -,
and smoking. Suddenly there came a
drip, drip. drip, some place from within
the building. The sergeant looked at
his companion. the other officer looked
at the sergeant.
"Humph." that was all, but it meant
a lot.
a few moments passed and the drip,
drip, drip, continued, but it seemed to
be getting louder with the passing of !
every second.
Let's investigate" said the ser
Seant. They were about TO carry out |
the decision when the door opened and |
a wet and bedraggled figure staggered |
into the room, breathing threats at the !
weather man and the fates which had |
forced him out into such a storm.
ne Work Begins.
The chief rushed across the room
toward the garage, but he had hardly
taken three steps when a frightened
janitress ran into the room and i'm
parted the information that a river was
running into the basement of the city
hall.
Quick men, man the pumps!" cried
the chief, and together the three occu-
pants of the room rushed to the base
ment.
Here it was found that the sewer had
suddenly stopped and the contents
were pouring in torrents into the hold
of the ship-no into the basement of
the city hall.
Above could be heard the sounds of
dripping splashing water, and the trio
rushed upstairs to see what was wrong
above. Here it was found that water
was coming through the roof as
though it were a sieve, and thence
down through the floors, down the
stairs and in every conceivable place
that water could flow in.
All policemen On the beats who
started to call in with reports at about
this time were instructed to make a
hasty appearance at the city hall in
order to keep the old ship from going
70 the bottom. And they came, one
and all.
Each as he arrived was put TO work.
Finally they had almost all come in p
md the chief decided that something
must be done to stem the torrent that
vas rushing into the cellar.
Shoes on" ordered the chief. For
ward TO the basement" .
Forward to the basement went the !
barefoot brigade. and with mops, pals.
in cans and brooms and other para.
'hernalia they fought the raging wa.
ers from O'Clock at night until ear
y in the morning Much damage was
one, but the diligent work of the Do
ice department saved damage that
night have reached into the thousands
I dollars. The city commission will
ee to it that the water spouts are en-
lrged and that the sewer is repaired.
Other Damage Throughout City.
While the water was flooding the CITY
all, however other places in the city
'ere undergoing like experience. At
he McC1aln garage the roof caved in
was struck by lightning, allowing
ne water to pour into the building.
amage amounting to several thous-
nds OF dollars was done at this place
lone, for when the piece of roofing.
hich was % feet square. fell. it plung-
down upon four automobiles stored =
the second floor One of these. a
ickson touring car, was damaged be-
md repair, while the others, Me- D
or Limousine, Midland touring car 5
Id delivery machine, were nearly
lined. Employees were forced to use
res and chop holes in the floor to get
e water out. The furnishings on the -
ST floor were greatly damaged also
ON the water.
At the local Y. NJ. c. A the water
,Cded the gymnasium floor and mo,