Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1921-11-21
make FUTILE FIGHT
ION CLUBHOUSE FIRE

Playing the part of fire fighters,
members of the Blue Ridge Rod and
Gun Club who were spending the
week end at the club-including a
Washington bank president. heads of
local traction and telephone COM
panies and other equally prominent
business men Of the National Capt.
tal-assfsted in saving some of the
valuable contents of the clubs Inn
posing home at Harpers Ferry. W..
Va, during the fire which burned the
clubhouse to the ground early Satur-
day evening.
Among those who were present at
the fire and who aided in removing
furniture, hunting and fishing trophies
of many descriptions and various club
possessions. principally on the main
floor. were Charles J. Bell, Albert E.
Berry, William F. Ham. Alexander
Britton. John l. Edwards and John L.
Newbold.
Board OF Directors Meets.
held special meeting this afternoon
in the office OF G. Thomas Dunlop,
Colorado building, a member OF the
board, and discussed arrangements
for having the property of the club at
Harpers Ferry protected and for talk
son, colored. It was decided to hold
a meeting Of the full membership
some time this week. when plans
for rebuilding the clubhouse will be
taken up. Members of the board Of
dent of the club: Charles S. Hood.
Thomas Dunlop and William F. Ham.
Steward Jackson arrived in Wash
ington from the scene of the fire this
L
affair to the directors. 1t was an
nounced today by Secretary Hood that
the loss will amount to approximately
$4,000. The property was insured,
he stated. The main building. a two
story and attic frame building with
wide porches and handsome furnish
ings and equipment, was q complete
loss. None of the outbuildings was
damaged. These included the bowling
alley, barn. summer house, etc.
Lose Personal Belonxings.
Many Washington men. members Of
the club, who left various articles of
clothing, athletic goods and sport
equipment at the clubhouse. lost these
possessions In the fire.
A full tabulation of these personal
effects destroyed was not obtainable
rotary Hood lost two suits of clothing
and that DIR. George NJ. Ruffin had
much valuable fishing tackle at the
club.
According to stories told Mr.. Hood
today by members who witnessed the
by sparks landing on the shingles
from the chimney which leads from
the fireplace in the cardroom on the
first floor. The Washington clubmen
were gathered at the dinner table at
the time. and 1t was remarked that
of smoke about the place.
The suggestion that there might be a
fire was passed Off lightly. however, with
the agreement that the vapors were
coming from the kitchen. When the
members filed out Of the building fol-
lowing dinner for cirgarette and stroll
the blaze on the roof and in the attic
was discovered simultaneously by the
group Of Washingtonians.
Efforts to Save Building Futile.
The fire had gained such Roadway by
this time that efforts to put it out were
futile. In a short time residents OF
Harpers Ferry. about mile away on the
opposite side of the river. came on the
run and Joined the local men in en-
deavoring to remove the contents from
the lower floor of the structure. There
is not fire department at Harpers
Ferry and such improvised means as
the club people found to combat the
blaze were useless in view Of the ad-
vanced stage of the fire.
Much of the furniture on the main
floor and many of the hunting and
fishing trophies priced by their do
nors and by the club in general were
removed to place Of safety by busi-
ness men turned into 'impromptu
fire'nen. In the confusion. 1t is
related that dining table, complete
ly filled with dishes and hot food,
was carried out intact, as if ready for
patrons.
The clubhouse, which contains about
forty rooms. was constructed original
ly in 1884, and extensive additions
were made at different periods. The
property is located on a commanding
bluff overlooking the Potomac river
The club was organized in 1893, and
membership is limited to fifty. Many
of Washington's business and pro-
fessional leaders are represented In
the membership, and many men prom
inent in the nations affairs have
been entertained there from time to
time.