Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-10-14

SAN Francisco, October 13th.-About
half past this afternoon a fire broke out in
Upstone's blacksmith shop, on Spear, be-
tween Mission and Howard streets, and was
almost instantly communicated to the Cali
fornia planning mill. corner of Howard. This
building covered fifty-vara lot, and, filled
with most combustible material, was in few
moments mass of fire. Half gale was
blowing, and the flames soon leaped across
Spear street and attacked Wigmores lumber
yard, spreading to the saloon on the corner,
and thence down Howard steet nearly to
Stewart, consuming number of small estab-
lishments, including Green's rigging loft,
Chase & Wright's ship carpenter shop, and
Richards coal yard. Does & Weston's lum-
Der yards on the opposite side of Howard
were several times on fire, but were extin-
guished with slight damage. The Union box
factory, north of where the FIRE started, suf.
fered some loss. The lumber lying outside is
q loss. The California mills vera owned by
w. j. Adams, who loses about $50, 0,000.
Wigmore's loss is about ths same; insured
for S26,00 The other losses will probably
bring the aggregate up to S150,000.
SECOND DIsPATcHI
A fire occurred this afternoon on Spear
street, which was the most destructive since
the Drumm-street confagration of four years
ago. The interior of the city has been singu-
larly free from fires involving any heavy loss.
That sweeping disaster did 10. occur is due
to the intelligence and bulldog tenacity with
which the fire brigade contested every inch
of ground. The flames were first discovered
issuing from Upstoues shop. It's origin is
unknown, the shop is temporarily closed to
business. The employees of the California
Mill, on the FIRST alarm, ran to the roof of
the building, with the intention of
preventing the fire catching there,
but the mill broke into blaze so
quickly that q precipitate retreat was the
only course left to them. The building COW
cred lot about forty yards square, and was
all of wood except boiler and engine-house
twas stuffed full of the inhammable material
usually found in such establishments, rein
forced by recent heavy purchases of pine
lumber. The wind being northwest, blew
the flames diagonaily across Howard and
Spear streets toward the two-story lumber
sheds on the opposite corner. Notwithstand.
ing the intense heat, the fremen, aided by
the fire patrol, who volunteered for the occa.
sion-there being no use fer their own
peculiar service-took position ct
the intersection OF the streets, and
though great sheets of fl ,me rolled over
their heads, sometimes almost enveloping
them, maintained their posi- Jon with stub
born fortitude that called forth the wonder
and applause Of the thousands gathered in
the vicinity, and poured such drenching
streams on the corner building that though
repeatedly on FIRE the flames could gain no
hold, and were finally beaten back. This
was the key to the position, for had the fire
crossed Howard street it would have swept
Through crowded lumber yards 10 Stewart
street anl tie city frolt. Meantime the
flames had jumped across Spear street on tie
north side of Howard, and were raging in the
lumber yards and ricke;y wooden buildings
masssd together there. The ffemen made a
splendid fight hsrs also, and the
fire tugboat Governor Irwin came in
as hacker, taking position at the
Howard-street wharf, and leading her hose
up the street. to the point Of contest. The
fire was checked and drowned out right
amidst as irfammable mass of material as
could be found in the city. and the lower
half of the block saved. While the conha-
grafton was at its hight the roar of steam
from the over-heated boilers Of the California
mill. driving smoke and fire before it, sent
the crowd, and the police holding them back,
scattering up Howard street, to escape the
anticipated explosion, but the band OF sala-
manders at ths corner did not bulge an inch,
and, standing fast to their hose. pipes, took
the desperate chances. Fortunately the
steam blew off without an explosion. and the
danger was soon over. By half-past 5, al
though the FIRE was still burning fercely, it
was fully under control, and its further spread
was no longer feared.
THIRD DISPATCH.l
The Spear-street fire is still burning, but
the flames are confined to the limits pre-
viously given. Il is now stated that the loss
on the California mill will reach at least
$780, 900. After the fire was partly subdusd
two bodies, charred beyond recognition, were
found in the rear of the building in which
the fire started. It is more than probable
that they were workmen in the California
mill. About ninety men were employed
there, and so rapid was the spread of the
harnes that many escaped with difficulty.
The canning establishment of Code & Elfelt,
fronting on Main street, was somewhat dam
aged in the rear, and it is probable tina.
fuller information will bring the loss Up to
near S25O,00O, with light insurance.
THE QUESTION OF MASONIC WIDOWS AND
ORPHANS ASYLUM.
The Masonic Grand Lodge to-day ordered
printed the report of the committee on the
proposition to establish a Widows aud Or.
plans Home, and requested subordinate
Lodges to instruct their delegates as to theil
action in the matter st the next commun;ca
ton.
THE Run ON THE GERMAN BANK.
At2P, u, the run on the GesmAn BsnI
| had subsided, only three persons ass that hQg
awaiting payment of deposits.
THE NEVADA BANK ELECTION.
The Nevada Bank election was again post
poned ss,2-day, and will probably be adjournet
from day 70 .,,sy under the bylaws until tn,
arrival of John s.ackay, although possibl,
the stockholders may e1nclude to act withou
him in few days.
MISCELLANEOUS.
A S. Hady has invented machine to can
eel postage stamps.
The subscriptions to the Garfield monu
ment fund now amount TO 81, $50 30.
Joseph Kern has been found guilty of mur
der in the second degree for stabbing to death
his wife in May last.
A. A. Pardow, who was up for contemp,
in the Hibernia Bank case, has been dis
missed from the charge by Judge Allen.
An "An England Eleven" Of cricketers j;
en- route TO San Francisco to play match
game with twenty-five local cricketers.S
The Young Mems Christian Association
has established six educational classes, anC
arranged for a series of lectures and concert;
s. A., baoact of ynayy hers dr1riuo Aha tyiDta