Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-11-16
Fire Believed to Have Started
From Overheated Furnace
Rapidly Gains Headway in
High Wind; Harrisburg
Companies Rushing to Res
cue; Property Valued at
$4,000

Fire, believed to have been
caused by an overheated furnace,
shortly after noon to-day, destroy
ed the handsome home of the
Harrisburg Country Club, three
miles north of the city. The loss
is estimated at $4,000 partly COW
cred by insurance.
The flames were discovered by
George F. Elliker who lives at
the home of John F. Greenawalt,
about 400 feet away, when he saw
dense smoke pouring from the
second-story windows.
Elliker Immediately warned the
servants at the club who hastily
formed bucket brigade and used
fire extinguishers and notified the
Harrisburg Fire Department.
AS the flames gained headway
through the rooms of the second floor
and rapidly began to eat their way
up towards the roof, the local fire de-
partment was appealed to for aid. I'm
mediately three motor chemicals from
companies, were rushed to the scene.
Although the firemen worked
raliantly they were unable to check
the flames. At / o'clock the blaze
had consumed everything in the
upper rooms and flames were spouting
through the roof. At 1920 the roof
crashed down through the lower floor
sending up a shower of sparks and
smoke that could be seen from the
city. At 1880 the firemen gave up
all hope of saving the main building
and turned their attention to the saw
ing of small addition which houses
the bowling alleys and locker rooms.
North Side Crashes In
Famed by brisk wind the flames,
which by this time were beyond con-
troll, soon ate their way through the
north side of the building. Shortly
after the firemen turned their atten-
tion to the bowling alleys, the north
side crashed in throwing a shower of
burning embers over the fremen who
were forced to draw back. In few
more minutes the east side wavered,
bent and toppled down with a crash.
The south and west sides were swept
down in quick succession.
The Harrisburg Country Clubhouse
was built in 1897 and was the first
country club to be established in this
part of the State IT has numbered
hurg's most prominent citizens, the
various Governors of the State and
many high officials in the State gov
ernment.
The clubhouse stands alone in the
midst of a broad sloping green over
looking the Susquehanna river and
faces the beautiful Dauphin water
gap in the blue mountains. A long
tree-arched lane leads from the paved
river road through the grounds to
the clubhouse.
Since its erection in 1897 the build
ing has been remodelled and improv-
ed number of times. John Fox
Weiss a prominent attorney, is presi-
dent of the club and Frank ]. Brady
is secretary.
Railroad Men Help
Shortly after the fire broke out
Workmen at the Lucknow shops of tre
Pennsylvania Railroad Company saw
the flames and FASTENED to the scene
to render what assistance thew could.
These men succeeded in removing all
the silver cups and trophies. a great
number of which were inside the burn
ing structure. They also did valiant
work in removing furniture and prop
erty of members from the rooms on
the lower floor. Much property be-
longing to members. however, was
destroyed.
Prominent men of the city, mem
bers of the club, shortly after the news
OF the blaze was known. hurried to the
scene to find their sport supplies and
clothes which had been removed from
their lockers.
Tennis shoes, trousers, rackets, balls.
nets, shirts, golf clubs and cases, golf
balls, shoes of all descriptions and
practically every known article of
mems attire were piled up on the lawn
CONTINUED on Page III