FIRE IN ROCK ISLAND. -- Last Sunday morning about 3 o'clock, an occupied frame house on Water street, between Eagle and Washington, Rock Island, was discovered on fire. The flames soon spread to the adjoining buildings on the East and West. Those on the West were one story frames of little value. The first was occupied as a saloon and dwelling by James Keefe, who saved most of his furniture; no insurance. The building upon the East was a two story brick, having and extensive frame back building, which was mostly destroyed. These premises belonged to Mr. Philip Simmon, who kept a saloon and public boarding house. Mr. S. succeeded in saving the greater part of his furniture. He loses about $2,000, his policy of insurance for $1,500 having expired some two weeks since. The agent of the Aetna company, in which he had been insured, called on Mr. S. the day previous to the fire and requested him to renew his policy, offering to take his note for the assessment until August. Mr. John Mayer, in whose building the fire was discovered, was insured for $600 n the Illinois Mutual Co. which will nearly cover his loss.

The Rock Island engines were on hand, and the firemen and citizens labored manfully to prevent the spread of the flames. At one time it was feared that Wellman's brick block on the corner would take fire. The Davenport Firemen responded promptly to the alarm, but were compelled to wait at the ferry landing a considerable time for the ferry boat to raise steam. Fire King Engine Co. No. 1 and Pioneer Hook and Ladder Co. No. 1 went over and rendered good service, returning home about 6 o'clock Sunday morning. During the fire a heavy rain came to which helped to extinguish the flames. The fire was undoubtedly the work of an incendiary.

Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, IA 24 Jul 1860
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