Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-08-02

we're summoned TO the park. The fire.
fighters could do bur Iittle 10 save the
building since there was no supply of
water on the grounds. further than
enough for d garden hose. The depart
ment lent its efforts 10 saving nearby
buildings BY employing chemicals,
the band shell was preserved.
Heat Intense.
Heat was intense during the time the
FIRE was at its height AS soon as the
north wall had been consumed and the
blaze had spread covering the remand
or Of the building. the intensity of the
flames commenced to tell on the trees
and the wooden buildings surrounding
the inn The band shell, which lies
about 100 feet west Of the inn was
seen 20 blister Trees near the build
ing were burned as were the two posts
used for moving picture screen and
which were situated on the top Of the
bluff and south OF the inn
Clerk Overcome.
Glen Herbert, the soda fountain
clerk. was rendered ilI as a result Of
the fire When the flames were dis
covered he rushed to the basement TO
turn of the gas used in charging tine
water at the fountain. The gas was
escaping and when he returned TO the
first floor he fell back iu C halffaiDC
lie was taken to the band shell where
ne again collapsed and Dr. j C. Soud-
ers. who was on the grounds, attended
him, ordering him sent 10 his home TO
recover from the effects Of the fumes.
The contents of the inn not re-
covered included the wearing apparel
and other personal effects OF the girl
employees All lost sums Of money
Efforts were made 20 save the oil
painting Of old Black Hawk which was
on the second floor, but the wall fell
in before the picture could be removed.
Manager Heatou Of the giant dip. an
attraction at the park. smashed iu the
glass in the case containing many rel
les on display, but he was able 30 save
only q portion of these.
Cigars candy and gum to the value
Of $500 were saved. Chairs and tables
on the first floor were removed. Seven
cash registers were saved and the
books and money in the safe on the
first floor were taken TO safety All
articles saved were removed TO the
band she'll
But the greater portion of the stock
was lost Sugar and other produce
stored in the cellar was not saved. The
management anticipated fair weather
and a big crowd and had stocked to
capacity early in the day. The Hamp-
ton Court singers were TO appear yes
terday afternoon and evening and to-
day. but their engagement was can
celled
Explosions Numerous,
Explosions were numerous when the
fire reached the first door. Gas tanks,
used i'm charging the water at the foun-
tain exploded and so cases eli pop sror-
Ell at the stand on the porch of the inn.
also exploded
Mrs. Stephenson WAS Il and was 0e-
cupring her room iu the inn at the
time the fire broke out Warning was
sent TO her in time and she was able To
leave the building uuiuiure1. Several
years ago she was i'm d similar fire in
the east.
Campers along The river and people
living nearby rushed 10 the inn and as
sisted in the work Of saving she con-
tents, Einner Bros. offered their auto
mobile for service in hauling the arrj-
Giles taken from the building 10 safety.
Mr.. Stephenson said this morning
10 an Argus reporter. IF viii be UNI
able 70 see personally all who offered
their services ira helping me during the
fire. My employees worked wonderfully
and bravely. The campers assisted al
SO and I am very grateful to all"
The season at the tower this year
has been fairly successful. but the bad
weather which seemed to occur each
time a big attraction was staged az the
resort tended 10 cut down the attend
ance and it was anticipated yesterday
morning that with Hampton Court
singers billed and fair weather, that
a record attendance for the season
would have been established.
Plans to erect a temporary structure
for the balance OF this season were
formulated by the railway company
this morning and construction Of a
permanent building is also under con-
sideratiou, the work to begin in the
fall.
The Black Hawk inn was three .
story structure. constructed Of wood .
The first floor was Occupied by the ice
cream parlor. Office kitchen and din