New-York tribune., 1922-07-31
Club Burns
AS Members
Fight Blaze
Maidstone Building, on
Long Island, Destroyed
Despite Gallant Efforts
of Summer Residents
John Drew Chief
OF Bucket Brigade
Women Dare the Flames
TO Save Their Gowns; (;
Loss Fixed at 100000

EAST HAMPTON. L. l., July so-FIre
to-day completely destroyed tho Maid
stone Country Club, ono Of the most
exclusive clubs on Long Island. Tho
blaze was fought BY club members and
summer residents here, folk from near
by villages, soldiers from Camp Welsh
and all the hremen who could reach
the scene.
The efforts Of the hre lighters
availed little. however. rs the blaze
had made good headway when the
alarm was reported. John Drew, the
actor. was perhaps the most active Of
the summer residents IN lighting the
flames. He directed bucket brigade
and did what he could 10 rescue club
belongings from the burning building.
New Workers Guests at Club
The damage Is estimated at about
100000. The fro caused great ex-
eitoment. There were a number Of
guests At the club when tho fro started,
including Homer Z. Sawyer, viee-presi-
dent Of the United States Rubber Com
pany, Of New York; George Mayo, also
a viee-presidcnt Of the same company,
and Mrs. Mayo; c. w. Breneman, Of
Cincinnati; Mr. and Mrs. Z. do Forrest
Simmons. OF New York; Mr.. and Mrs.
Jean Sawyer, Of Boston; Mrs. Robert
l.. Lee, OF New York; Mrs. Charles
Carscellen. Of New York; J. Theus
Munds, Of New York; Mr.. and Mrs.
Paul de rAlglo Munds, Of New York;
Mrs. Amos Pinehot. Of Milford, Pa,
sister-in-law Of Clifford Pinehot, and
Mr. and Mrs A. J. Partridge, Of Chi
cago.
Defective wiring Is believed 70 have
been the cause Of the FIRE.
The fire started on the second floor,
which Is given over mostly TO locker
rooms and the living apartments Of
Charles W. Stewart, club superin-
tendent.
Firemon we're summoned Immediate
ly, but the fire had been under way
nearly lalf an hour when they arrived.
The volunteers who responded when
il became known that the building was
nblazo fought the flames as best they
could. using buckets 10 advantage.
These volunteers included a number Of
tennis players, who rushed up from
nearby courts.
Women Save Wardrobes
There was a frantic scramble on the
part Of women guests 20 save their
belongings, and the majority OF them,
il Is said, succeeded In doing so.
Sumner residents, attracted By the
smoke, camo for miles around. John
Drew urged every one present 10 do
what he could 20 check the flames and
10 carry some OF the yaluables from
the burning building.
Meantime soldiers from Camp Welsh
who had been playing polo about
a mile away, had heard OF the
FIRE. They galloped their mounts 10 the
ere. and with those already at work
tried 20 save the building. Hundreds
OF spectators ct the polo game hurried
20 the fire also, but there was little
they could do.
fire apparatus from East Hampton
reached the scene the water pressure
was poor and the hrcmen tried 70 pump
water from Hook Pond, but met with
little success. In the meantime, word
had been sent 10 Sag Haroor, eight
miles away, and 70 southampton
twelve miles, asking for FIRE apparatus.
Both OF these places also have motor
apparatus which made tho run In
auick time. but their services were not
needed when they arrived, as the
flames had practically wiped out the
handsome clubhouse.
Guests Gather Yaluablos
Manager Ralph c. Frood OF the Inn
tried 20 assure the 1875. guests there
was no imminent danger, but many OF
the women had gathered up their
valuables and were ready 70 depart
with them By this time.
Wallace Reid, wealthy New YORK
lawyer and president Of the club, an
nounced tonight that plans were al
ready In progress for the construction
Of another clubhouse 20 take tho place
OF the one destroyed. The new one
will be on the ocean front, which is at
the other end Of the golf course and
close 10 the country estate Of Robert
Appleton, Of New York.
Scores OF wealthy Southampton resi-
dents. including James L. breese, Mr.
snd Mrs. Alvin Kreeh, Major and Mrs.
Howard c. Dickinson, William Duncan
ir George Marshall jr. and others
notored over 20 East Hampton when
49,. k..rd cf The trc