Clifton [Terrace] Newspaper Articles
CEMENT WORKS AT CLIFTON
Source: Alton Telegraph, March 13 & 27, 1874
The cement works now being erected at Clifton will be an extensive
establishment, and do an immense business. A large amount of capital
is being invested in buildings, kilns, etc. Owing to the immense
deposits of cement rock in the vicinity, its manufacture into
commercial forms will soon expand into one of our most important
industries.
Several gentlemen of Louisville, Kentucky, who had long been engaged
in the manufacture of cement, became apprised of the superior
deposits of cement rock at Clifton, directly on the bank of the
river, three miles above Alton, and made a careful examination of
the locality. The rock was found to exist in great quantities. They
had specimens critically analyzed, which after being subjected to
the tests, were found superior to the celebrated Louisville cement
rock. Being satisfied with the quality, the capitalists referred to
purchased the Allen property at Clifton, where the deposits
outcropped, embracing a tract of 105 acres. Aside from its
commercial value, this property is one of the most delightful and
romantic residence sites on the river, rising from the banks into
lofty bluffs, which overlook the country for many miles. The cement
rock outcrops at the base of the bluff and also along the slope of
the riverfront. A company was organized under the named of “St.
Louis Cement Company,” with the following as officers: W. A. Hauser,
President; A. Bondurant, Secretary; J. D. Bondurant, Superintendent.
These gentlemen, with Mr. Charles V. Shreve, own the entire stock.
The erection of mills and kilns was commenced last fall, and
prosecuted with vigor through the winter, and on March 25, the mills
commenced operations, though not fully completed. The works are on
an extensive scale, and have been erected at heavy expense. The
mills are erected at the base of the bluff, immediately on the
riverfront, about three rods from the bank. The site was chosen with
admirable judgment. It combines excellent facilities for
manufacturing economically, with the best of arrangements for
shipping directly upon steamers by means of a slide. No drayage is
employed, either for the raw material or the manufactured product,
which is a great saving at the start. The mill is a substantial
frame structure, three stories high; dimensions 32x38 feet.
Surrounding the mill are several minor buildings – blacksmith shop,
storage rooms, shelter sheds, etc. A few yards west of the mill are
the kilns, which are splendid specimens of mechanical skill. They
rest upon the solid rock, a niche for them having been blasted out
of the bluff wall. Their base is built of substantial hewn masonry.
Upon this rises the kilns, built of fire brick, on the most approved
principles. They are nearly oval in shape, thirty-four feet in
height, center diameter twelve feet, upper eight feet, lower thirty
inches. The kilns are encased in huge, hollow cylinders of 3 16-inch
boiler iron, with a diameter of 171/2 feet. The space left between
the kilns and the iron is filled with earth. The appearance of these
huge grim, black towers, vomiting forth fire and smoke in the rural
solitude, with the romantic and beautiful bluffs towering above,
seems incongruous in the extreme. They might well be mistaken for
the smokestacks of the Plutonian regions. But to return.
An iron tramway, about two feet gauge and 500 feet in length, leads
from the kilns to the quarry, where the cement rock is now being
taken out. The rock being quarried is unquestionably of superior
quality, in fact, purer than any yet discovered in the country. And
at this quarry, the work of cement manufacture commences. The face
of the bluff is here laid bare, disclosing at the base a vein of
cement rock, eight feet thick, lying between strata of hard
limestone. The cement rock is of a dark grey color. It is softer
than limestone, but is quarried in much the same way. The rock, as
fast as quarried, is loaded into cars which are drawn up the
inclined tramway to the top of the kilns by means of a stationary
engine, which is supplied with steam from the mill below. The cars,
on arriving, are unloaded into the kilns and returned to the quarry.
The fuel used in burning is coal. The method is as follows:
At the bottom of the kiln is placed a quantity of wood. Upon this a
layer of rock, then alternate layers of coal and rock, until filled.
The kilns are drawn twice a day. The burned rock is then loaded in
cars on another tramway, and run into the third story of the mill,
where is located the great iron “crusher,” which resembles a huge
coffee mill. The rock is dumped into the “hopper,” and after being
reduced to about the size of corn by the crusher, passes down into
the second story, where are located two fine run of burrs, four
feet, seven one-half inches in diameter. The process of pulverizing
is completed by the burrs, and the cement then passes through spouts
to the first story, where it is received directly into barrels,
headed up, branded “Piasa Star,” and is ready to be loaded onboard
the steamer and shipped to its destination.
The machinery in the mill is of the most substantial character, and
combines all the latest and most valuable improvements. It is driven
by a twenty-five horse power engine. The mill will turn out 350
barrels per day, and the capacity is to be still further increased.
The entire works have been put up in the most thorough and practical
manner, and at very heavy outlay of capital. The faith the company
have in the project is shown by the character of the work. The
proprietors are all practically acquainted with the business,
possess large resources, have a superior quality and a limitless
quantity of rock to work upon (enough to supply the West for 1,000
years), and are bound to win success over any opposition. The mill
now employs thirty men, many of them old hands at the business. The
company intends erecting several tenement houses to accommodate
their employees, and the prospect now is that a thriving village
will soon take the place of the Rip Van Winkle suburb of Clifton,
formerly sacred to moonlight, romance, and the sparkling Catawba.
NOTES:
The cement mill at Clifton did not last long - the mill was up for
sale in July 1875. In about 1850, Louis F. Stiritz was the owner of
the former cement mill property. Stiritz was a pioneer resident of
Clifton, who came to America in 1849, and in 1850 settled in
Clifton. Stiritz had the grounds terraced to resemble his home in
Germany, and planted a large vineyard. He built the Clifton Terrace
Hotel, which was a favorite resort for Illinois and Missouri
residents. Stiritz died in 1909.
CLIFTON NEWS
Source: Alton Telegraph, May 23, 1889
We understand that the well-known commission merchant, Mr. E. T.
Hull, intends erecting a warehouse at Clifton for receiving and
shipping fruit. Clifton is a good point for that business, and Mr.
Hull knows every fruit grower in the vicinity. This is one
indication of the way the Bluff Line will build up business along
its route.
CLIFTON REGATTA
Source: Alton Telegraph, August 6, 1891
The largest crowd of the season visited Clifton Terrace Sunday
afternoon to witness the first annual regatta of the Missouri
Amateur Rowing Association. The first race was a single scull
between F. Gastrich of the Modocs, and William Roessler of the
Western. The race was good up to the end, when Gastrich pulled away
from Roessler, showing that he could have distanced him if he wanted
to. Time, 11:37. A train of ten flatcars were drawn to the end of
the course, keeping even with the rowers, which afforded a fine
sight. The second race was a double scull between F. Gastrich and A.
Maloom of the Modocs, and A. Busch and William Surbled Jr. The
Modocs won after a very exciting race in 11:25, by about
three-fourths of a length. The last race was a four-oared barge race
between A. Eveson, W. Ritter, G. Godfrey, and W. Cooper for the
Modocs; W. Eveston, J. Edelmann, A. Nolan, and T. Keefer of the St.
Louis; G. Kline, G. Hugo, S. Batfield, and C. Hessemann of the
Excelsiors; and Eckermann, Kirsmann, Smith, and Regals of the North
Ends. The Modocs won easily.
CLIFTON HOTEL TO BE BUILT
Source: Alton Telegraph, September 28, 1893
The construction of the handsome new hotel at Clifton will be
commenced at once. The material for the foundation is there, and
before the end of the week ground will be broken. Mr. H. A. Fisher,
who is building the hotel, has secured Mr. Thomas Lasbury to
engineer the construction. The hotel will be built beside the
Casino. It will be nicely fitted up for summer visitors. Clifton
will no doubt become quite a summer resort. The two islands are
connected with the mainland by dikes. On the top of the dike, which
extends between the mainland and Fisher Island, earth will be dumped
and a roadway made. The casino could not accommodate one-half the
number of guests that wanted to locate there last season.
NEW CLIFTON HOTEL
Source: Alton Telegraph, March 15, 1894
The new summer hotel to be erected by Mr. H. A. Fisher at Clifton,
is to be pushed to an early completion. The bluffs above Alton
furnish splendid locations for summer resorts, and in the course of
time the pretty locations will all be crowded with summer hotels.
Mr. Fisher was seen yesterday and stated that work on the summer
hotel at Clifton will commence in a short time. He showed a drawing
of the hotel. The Casino will constitute the eastern extremity, and
will be fitted up as the parlor above and a dining room below. A
spacious building will be built on the west of the Casino. The hotel
will furnish apartments for the members of the Illini Yacht Club.
The yacht club house has no dormitory, and the new hotel will fill
this part of the bill. Mr. Fisher states that his hotel will be
given to the members of the Illini Yacht Club once a week for a
dance. A number of St. Louis families have already signified their
intention of spending a portion of the summer at the hotel, and that
the new enterprise will prove a success with Mr. Fisher back of it,
there is but little doubt.
CLIFTON NEWS
Source: Alton Telegraph, June 14, 1894
Clifton Terrace is improving. The new hotel is finished, and will be
opened next Saturday. A new livery stable will be opened soon, a
stock of buggies and surreys having been purchased.
OPENING OF “THE TAVERN” AT CLIFTON
Source: Alton Telegraph, June 21, 1894
The fleet of the Illini Yacht Club, a special Bluff Line train, and
a procession of carriages left Alton Saturday night, each with a
merry lot of young people, pleasure bent, on their way to the
opening of the Tavern at Clifton Terrace. A beautiful moonlit sky
clear from the afternoon rain, and a refreshing coolness in the air
made the parties feel like enjoying the occasion to the utmost. The
yachts left with good-sized parties at 7:30 o’clock. At 8 o’clock
the gathering of invited guests took possession of the hotel, and
were received by the proprietor and host, Mr. H. A. Fisher, in a
most hospitable manner. After being shown through the airy rooms of
the hotel, its parlors, spacious dining hall, and delightful
verandahs, the guests were invited to the dance hall in the third
story. The congregation represented the best society of Alton and
St. Louis, and the entire assemblage was in evening attire. An
orchestra tuned its stringed instruments, and opened a program of
dances. A large party of St. Louisians, who came on a special train,
joined the Altonians in the dance hall. Here, for several hours, the
time sped with flying feet. Then came the first luncheon at the
Tavern. The dining hall presented a most-pleasing spectacle, and a
fine repast was served to the guests. The remainder of the evening
was spent in promenading about the hotel, and at 11 o’clock, the
guests began to take their departure. The ride home in the moonlight
was a fitting ending to an evening of thorough enjoyment.
Source: Alton Telegraph, June 28, 1894
Over two hundred guests have registered at Clifton Terrace Tavern
since its opening. Among those now sojourning at the tavern are Mr.
Edwin Jacobs and Miss Jacobs, Mr. James B. Nugent and family, Mr.
and Mrs. Charles Dexter, Mrs. James Washington Woods, Miss Nannie
Moulton, Mr. W. H. Woodward and son, Mr. Mr. G. B. Birch, Mr. J. H.
Terry Jr., Mr. Charles Clark, Mr. and Mrs. M. J. Stern, and Fred
Weimer, St. Louis; Mr. Harry J. Jigsteps, Kansas City; Mr. Robert
Hunt Wilson, Normandy, Kansas; and Mr. C. Capps, Palmyra, Illinois.
The following ladies and gentlemen of Alton registered at the tavern
last evening: Miss Howard, Miss Collins, Miss Belle Tuttle, Miss
Emily Baker, Miss Blanche Yerkes, Mr. Webster D. Smith, Mr. Tracy E.
Thomas, Mr. W. H. Dobson, and Mr. Edward Rodgers.
CLIFTON TERRACE NEWS
17th Annual Regatta
Source: Alton Telegraph, August 9, 1894
The first of the three day’s regatta at Clifton Terrace was most
auspiciously opened Friday, and some lively races were witnessed by
a fair crowd of people. The day was one of the best – cool breezes
made the air most comfortable, while the sun shone brightly, but not
too warmly. All of the men present were in fine fettle. The Westerns
of St. Louis were out in force, and each one was designated by a
ribbon of blue and white around their hat. John Teemer, the
celebrated professional who has been for the last two years their
trainer, was here, there, and everywhere, and full of anxiety for
the success of his proteges, and it is fair to say that they almost
uniformly won, showing the results of his good work. John Kennedy,
also a professional of former days, was there too, in charge of the
Minnesota Club of St. Paul, who showed some exceptionally fine work
as the result of his training.
The racing of the day was devoted entirely to Junior work, with the
single exception of a single scull race, and all but two of the
races were rowed in heats. The water in Piasa chute had fallen four
inches during the night, and considerable care was necessary in
making the turn. The course was three-fourths of a mile and return,
and commenced at a point opposite Illini Island, where the
grandstand and judges and reporters places were erected.
The first race on the printed program was for Junior pair oared
shells, between the Westerns and Modocs pairs, and was won by the
Westerns in the slow time of 11:04. The next race was for Junior
single sculls, and for this event there were entered the following:
First Heat
Minnesota Boat Club, St. Paul, Minnesota – H. P. Bend.
Western Rowing Club, St. Louis – W. F. Roessier.
North End Rowing Club, St. Louis – C. J. Blankenmeister.
The heat was won by Roessler of the Westerns in 10:54.
Second Heat
Modoc Rowing Club, St. Louis – Charles Bentz.
North End Rowing Club, St. Louis – George L. Van Beek.
Lurline Boat Club, Minneapolis – A. G. Bromley.
This heat was won by VanBeek of the North Ends in 10:48.
Third Heat
Catlin Boat Club, Chicago – D. D. Griffiths.
Western Rowing Club, St. Louis – William Mohnkorn.
This heat was not rowed, Griffiths preferring to save himself for
future events, but Mohnkorn rowed in the previous heat, coming in
second. The final trial was thus between Roessler of the Westerns
and VanBeek of the North Ends, and was won by Van Beek in 10:48.
For the Senior single scull race, the Westerns entered Fred Koenig,
the Modocs Fred Gastreich, and the North Ends George L. Van Beek.
Both the two latter failed to materialize, and were probably afraid
of the Western’s champion, who rowed alone over the course in 1:19.
In the Junior double scull race, first heat, were entered the
Minnesotas and the Modocs. Right here the Minnesotas did some
beautiful rowing, and won in 10:10.
The next heat was between the Catlins and the Westerns, and was won
by the Westerns in 10:09.
The final heat was then between the Minnesotas and the Westerns, and
was won by the former in 9:28.
The last event of the day’s racing was between the four St. Louis
clubs and their Junior four-oared shells were brought forward. The
first heat was between the Westerns and the Modocs, and was won by
the Westerns in 9:31.
The second heat between the North Ends and the St. Louis was won by
the St. Louis in 9:35. The contest was thus narrowed down to the
Westerns and St. Louis clubs, and here the only trouble of the day
began. The two crews rowed a nip and tuck race to the turn and
around it. Then the St. Louis did some awful steering, got over into
the water of the Westerns, and fouled their boat. A wordy warfare
took place, and then the St. Louis crew pulled away, and came in
ahead in 10:15. Once in, another row took place, each crew declaring
that the other was wrong, but the matter was left to Referee Catlin,
President of the Mississippi Valley Association, who decided that
the St. Louis crew had fouled the Westerns, and gave the latter the
race.
This ended the day’s doings, and the crowd going home filled several
coaches in a special train, besides crowding all the regular trains.
The second day’s races on Saturday of the Mississippi Valley Amateur
Rowing Association passed off in fine style. The grounds were
crowded by several thousand people, and the sport was excellent.
Sunday, however, was the day which attracted the masses. Fully
five-thousand people were present to witness races that were far
from being exciting or equal to the expectation of the visitors. The
Westerns of St. Louis, with their membership of six hundred, and
with such a trainer and coacher as Teemer, had the other clubs
completely overawed. The Western men showed such confidence that the
Modocs felt that they were losers, and lost enthusiasm. The Westerns
jumped in from the start. In three days of racing they took 23 of
the 28 medals offered. The St. John’s Osgood cup, worth $600, is
their property, a trophy which they hang with pride at their belt
because it was snatched from the Modocs, their old rivals. Besides
this, they broke a world’s record, and then their joy was complete.
In the sic-oared barge race, the Westerns and Modocs in the final
heat fought it out in hot style, and the Westerns winning the
three-fourths miles with turn in 4:03 broke the world’s record.
Saturday’s events:
Senior Single Sculls
Western Rowing Club – Ferd Koenig.
Modoc Rowing Club – Fred Gastrich.
Winner of the Junior Singles
The Modocs and Junior winners were withdrawn, and the Westerns won
in 10:24.
Senior Four-Oared Shells
Delaware Boat Club, Chicago – William Weinland, J. T. Reedy, William
Lau, and Max Lau.
Modoc Rowing Club – A. J. Everson, W. Ruetter, W. C. Godfrey, and
John Buerger.
The Delaware Club won in pretty style in 9:16.
Senior Double-Scull Shells
The Western Rowing Club team was the only entry, the Junior winners
being withdrawn. They rowed the course in 10:40.
Senior Pair Oared Shells
Modoc Rowing Club – A. J. Everson, J. Buerger.
Delaware Boat Club – Max Lau, William Lau.
The Modocs again showed the white feather and the Delaware Boat Club
rowed the course in 10:21.
Six-Oared Barge Race
For the St. John’s Osgood cup.
First Heat
North End Rowing Club – L. Stuerman, F. Weissborn, Hermann Kirtmann,
George L. Van Beek, stroke; William Freebersyser, coxswain.
Modoc Rowing Club – A. Evenson, W. Ruetter, W. C. Godfrey, J.
Buerger, H. Cooper, A. Malcom, stroke; W. C. Mason, coxswain.
In this race, the Modocs beat the North Ends in the fast time of
4:12.
Second Heat
Western Rowing Club – H. Fredericks, C. Hesemann, P. B. Blattner, W.
H. Lamp, Ferd Koenig, William Schulte, stroke; J. G. Karl, coxswain.
St. Louis Rowing Club – A. Wittmann, Ed Reid, J. O. Rapp, G. Meisel,
J. Galrish, F. Kiefer, Stroke; B. McFarland, coxswain.
The Westerns won easily in 4:32.
Then came the rubber between the Westerns and Modoc teams. The race
was exciting, and the Westerns defeated their rivals again in 4:00,
breaking the world’s record. It was glorious for the Westerns
supporters, but the Modocs were completely chagrinned and
disheartened.
The Missouri Regatta
The Modocs hardly hoped to beat their rivals in yesterday’s races.
They managed to scratch one race. The Junior Pair Oared shell race
was scratched.
The second race, Junior Single sculls.
North End Rowing Club – A. Stuerman.
Western Rowing Club – William Mohnkorn.
Modoc Rowing Club – Charles Bentz.
Stuerman won easily in 10:57.
Junior Four-Oared Shells
First Heat
Entries – Western and North End Rowing Clubs. The Westerns won
easily in 12:03.
Second Heat
The Modoc Rowing Club and the St. Louis Rowing Club. The Modocs won.
The final heat was between the Westerns and Modocs. The Modocs ran
into a boat anchored in harbor, and gave up the race, the Westerns
finishing in 13:03.
Junior Double
The Modoc Rowing Club won this race, but it was a shallow victory.
They started well together with the Westerns, made the turn ten
lengths ahead, and won in 10:32.
Six-Oared Barge Race
Modoc, Westerns, and Mound City, entries. The Modocs took the lead,
and held it a short distance. They were passed by both the Westerns
and Mound City crews before the turn. The Westerns won in 4:07.
Pickpockets were plentiful, and one lady lost her purse before she
left the Alton depot on her way to the Piasa Bluffs Assembly. The
“whip game” was run for a while, or until the officer got on to it,
and it is reported that several prominent Alton business men got
nipped by it. Names would surprise the public too much, so we omit
them.
The hotels are jammed full – the Tavern and Stiritz’s [at Clifton
Terrace] have all that they can possibly handle, and lunch stands
are abundant and large.
CLIFTON TERRACE NEWS
Source: Alton Telegraph, August 23, 1894
Among the late arrivals at Clifton are Dr. Green of St. Louis, Miss
Pratter of Springfield, Misses Hodge and Nugent of St. Louis.
A progressive euchre party was given last night by the guests at the
Tavern. A large number took part. First prize, a very handsome
souvenir was taken by Lieut. Judson.
On last Saturday, sixty people were in bathing at one time on the
Clifton beach. It was a very pretty scene, and some fashionable
bathing suits are worn by the ladies. It has become quite a favored
bathing spot.
Mr. W. A. Jones, who is located here, is the champion swimmer of
this vicinity. Mr. Jones can swim in more different styles, swim
faster, and dive farther than anyone who has yet visited the beach.
Miss Eleanor Nugent of St. Louis will celebrate her birthday by an
invitation party at the Tavern tonight.
A young lady from St. Louis, who was but recently taught to swim,
has become quite expert, and performs a feat which has found no
imitator. This belle can float without the least exertion, and can
recline on the surface of the water without moving a muscle.
A large party of society young people will drive to Clifton tonight,
take supper at the Tavern, and attend the hop given in the Casino
Hall.
CLIFTON TERRACE NEWS
Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, January 5, 1895
Clifton Terrace as a summer resort will be far superior to what it
was last year in the way of attractions, and the Tavern will be
known as a summer hotel with as many conveniences and more
attractions than any hotel within many miles of St. Louis. Mr. H. A.
Fisher is highly satisfied with the business done by his hotel last
season, and intends to cover all deficiencies for the coming year.
An addition, 109 feet in length and 32 feet in width, will be built
adjoining the present structure directly on the east. The new
building will be constructed of brick and stone, nicely finished,
with a view to making it a permanent institution. It will be
separate from the present building, and a large veranda will be the
only connection line. On the lower floor of the new addition, four
bowling alleys will be constructed. On the upper floor are nine
sleeping apartments, 12x21 feet. At the extreme east of the building
is a telegraph station, ticket office, and waiting room. In the old
structure the dining room will be enlarged by the removal of the
adjoining bowling alleys. Mr. Fisher intends to make the Tavern a
permanent place. The length of the entire hotel will be over 300
feet.
The bathing will be made a leading feature next year. A huge
toboggan slide will be erected on a float, and anchored in the
river. Steps lead to the top of the slide and railings, etc. are
arranged for convenience. The bottom of the float will be fitted up
with spring boards, platforms, floating rings, etc. Clifton will be
an attractive place next season.
CLIFTON TERRACE WILL HAVE NEW POWERED BOAT
Source: Alton Telegraph, January 24, 1895
After several months of diligent investigation, Mr. H. A. Fisher of
Clifton Terrace has decided that the Monitor vapor engine is the
ideal power, and has ordered a 35-foot launch from the Wyandotte
Boat Company of Detroit. It will be equipped with an eight
horsepower double-cylinder motor, and guaranteed to propel the boat
in still water at least nine and a half miles per hour, or about six
miles against the usual river current. The boat will be seven feet
beam and draw, when loaded with thirty passengers, about 28 or 30
inches of water. As this will be the first launch equipped with the
Monitor vapor engine, its builders will make an effort to deliver
the boat in Alton every early in the season, probably sometime in
March, so that prospective purchasers can have time to order for the
coming season after this boat of Mr. Fisher’s has demonstrated its
practicability in these waters. The new craft will be named “Mary
Lee,” out of compliment to Mrs. Fisher, that being her maiden name.
She will fly the Illini Yacht Club pennant, and will undoubtedly
prove one of the handsomest and most popular of the many new
launches that will be added to the fleet the coming season.
THE TAVERN AT CLIFTON OPENING
Source: Alton Telegraph, May 30, 1895
The pretty summer hotel “The Tavern,” ensconsced at the foot of the
hills of Clifton, will throw open its doors for the summer season
next Saturday night, and a fashionable assemblage will gather to
attend the opening hop. Mr. H. A. Fisher has made notable
improvements, including a fine new brick wing on the east. These
improvements will add greatly to the comfort of the hotel. Mr.
Fisher has made preparations for the opening, to which a general
invitation is extended to Alton and St. Louis friends. A special
train will leave St. Louis Saturday evening, reaching Alton at 6:45.
On the return trip, the train will leave Clifton at 11:30. Fare for
the round trip, 25 cents. Supper will be served for the benefit of
those who have not previously dined. The St. Louis Symphony
orchestra will furnish music, and a hop will be the main source of
entertainment.
THE TAVERN AT CLIFTON TERRACE DESTROYED BY FIRE
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 14, 1903
Clifton Terrace Tavern was destroyed by fire Tuesday morning, April
14. The loss is almost total, as the insurance amounted to only
$3,000. The hotel was the property of George F. Kirsch and Julius F.
Schneider. Mr. Schneider had charge of the sale of the property, and
had just sold it for $15,000 to J. T. Donovan of St. Louis, who
planned to use it for summer hotel purposes.
About 2 o’clock Tuesday morning, the residents of the vicinity of
Clifton Terrace were aroused by a red glare which illuminated all
around for miles as light as day. They thought the fires of the
judgment were consuming the earth, and some were much frightened. It
was with great relief of mind that they found it was only the Tavern
on fire. The flames swept from one end to the other of the building,
leaving smoldering heaps of timber in their track.
Mr. L. F. Stiritz of Alton was at Clifton Terrace this morning when
the fire broke out. He says that he believes it must have been of
incendiary origin, although no one will volunteer any guesses as to
who is responsible. The fire started in the west end of the
building, and swept by a gale from the northwest, which soon had the
whole building wrapped in flames. Within two hours, the building was
a heap of smoldering ruins. The Stiritz property north of the hotel
was threatened, but by energetic work on the part of the family and
neighbors, the fire was prevented spreading and destroying that
property. The occupants of the Stiritz place carried out all their
personal effects before they saw that the fire would not destroy
their home.
The only occupant of the big hotel building was postmaster George L.
Hadley, who saved all his property. No one else was in the building,
and the only suspicion as the origin of the fire is that tramps may
have effected entrance and set fire to it. The building cost H. A.
Fisher $25,000 when new, and could not be built now for twice that
amount.
NOTES:
A lawsuit was filed in 1904 by Mr. Schneider against Mr. Kirsch.
Schneider claimed when the insurance money was paid, Kirsch kept all
the money. In August 1905, Mrs. Maud A. Simpson of St. Louis
purchased the eight acres where The Tavern once stood, to convert
the ruins into a fine garden and lawn. She erected a summer home
north of the old hotel.
CLIFTON - MONARCH OF THE MISSISSIPPI GONE –
GIANT COTTONWOOD TREE OF SCOTCH JIMMY'S ISLAND FELLED
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 17, 1906
Louis Young, who resides upon "Scotch Jimmie's Island" across from
Clifton, has felled the great, tall cottonwood tree on the north
side of the island, which has stood as a sentinel of direction to
river men as long as the oldest can remember. The Chicago Chronicle
several years ago printed a story of this tree, with measurements
taken by a government official from one of the government boats, and
showing it to be the largest tree in both height and girth in the
Mississippi Valley. The tree was struck by lightning three years ago
and had gradually died. One log was taken out of the base of the
tree, measuring seven feet, eight inches in diameter on the large
end. The stump of the great forest giant is large enough to sit a
dining table on comfortably. The tree was undoubtedly many hundreds
of years old, and towered no less than seventy-five feet higher than
the other trees on the island. For many years when the crossing on
the steamboats up and down the river was on the Illinois river side
of the island in the narrow channel, the big tree was a valuable
landmark to the steamboat pilots. Before being injured by the stroke
of lightning, the tree had an abundance of foliage, and was visible
for many miles from up and down the river. It has for many years
been one of the sites of interest pointed out to passengers on the
bluff line trains. The bark on the tree was nearly three inches
thick in places, and was roughed and creased by the several hundred
years of time it had stood. The great giant stood on high ground,
and was seldom caught by the floods which washed out and undermined
so many of the trees on the island. For the past few years the great
limbs of the tree whitened by the burning sun, rose above the forest
on the big island, a scarred but silent master of the great forest
up and down this big valley. It was a pity to have removed this
tree, even though it was dead.