The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-09-09
SAN FRANcIsco's FIRE QUEEN.
One of the Strange Characters that Drifted
To California in the Old Days.
Isan Francisco Alta. !


About three weeks ago despatch was re-
ceived in this city announcing the death at
Reno, New, of Mrs. Easement. a colOred wo-
man about sixty-three years of age, who be-
queathed sums of money of more or less mag
nitude TO several companies of this depart
ment, as well as to q few OF the old members
of the volunteer companies of early days.
That old lady was the Fire Queen" Emily
Easement came here overland from New
York city in the early part of 1850, and
opened a saloon and dance hall on the old
Mission road, in the neighborhood now
marked by Tenth and Mission streets. She
was freebOm quadroon girl, about twenty
eight years of age, and possessed a face and
figure of striking beauty. Her eccentric
character and odd, reckless ways soon
brought her into prominence among the men
about town, but her generosity and happy
go-lucky disposition gained her many
friends. Emily had few bad traits and many
good ones in her odd character. She was
honesty itself, and would permit no under
handed dealings among those in her estab
lishment. As for charity, she was the per-
sOnitcatiOn OF it. No one ever asked for
assistance from her and met with refusal.
She made great deal of money, but was
always free with it, and many poor devil
has been checked on his downward career
and given a new lease of life through her
generosity and kindness.
Ii was sometime during the summer of %,
if | remember correctly, that the old distii
lery Of James Bows 4 Co., on Mission Creek,
was burned. IL was large, rambling brick
structure three stories in height, with sew
eral additions OF lesser size adjoining. 1t
was late in the afternoon one day i'm the
early part of the summer that the boiler of
the distillery exploded, the spirit tanks ig-
nited, and in very few minutes the whole
building was in flames. The deep, heavy
sand this side of the distillery hindered the
and by the time we arrived the fire was be-
You'd control All that could be done then
was to save the small buildings adjoining,
and portion Of the movable property. A
great crowd OF spectators had gathered by
this time, and among them was Emily Case
ment shouting words OF encouragement to
the weary iiremen. The fire ragged fiercely.
and the flames crept steadily on and licked
every beam and Tafter in the old building,
in spite of our almost superhuman efforts.
The walls were wayering and the roof begin
ming to show signs OF caying in, when a sud
den cry rang ont that several tiremen were
still in the binding. and so overcome by
the heat and smoke that they were unable to
find their way out. A call for volunteers to
go to the rescue remained unanswered. A
second call, and still no response AT last
Emily Easement sprang forward, and, tnrow-
ing the skirts of her dress over her head
rushed into the burning building. A few
seconds elapsed. during which the spectators
almost held their breath in suspense, when
they saw Emily returning, dragging the form
of a half SutfOcated fireman. Again she dis
appeared into the burning building, return
ing almost Immediately with another res
cued fireman. Five or six times was this he
rOic deed repeated, but at last human endur-
ance could accomplish no more, and the no.
bic woman fell fainting in the doorway by
the side of the last unconscious fireman She
hoh saw n hnr 10 a aofh
Ready hands removed the heroic woman
to place OF safety, where it was discovered
that she had been horribly burned about the
face and hands. Her hair had been entirely
burned, and the skin and scalp were scorched
and bl; stored i'm frightful manner. She
soon regained consciousness, however, and,
insteai of giving way to her agony and suf-
fering. she commenced giving orders for the
proper care and treatment of the injured
firemeD. She tore her clothing into strips
to make bandages for their relief and then
ordered them removed to her house, not far
distant, where they were given every atten-
ton. Ii was not until the others were all
cared for that she submitted to having her
own injuries attended to. From that day
she was known as the Fire Queen" and be-
came the idol of the iirebOys and all who
knew her. IL was many weeks before she
recovered from the effects of her injuries,
and to her dying day she bore the honorable
scars received ON that memorable occasion.
During the succeeding five years her life was
one of uneyentful monotony, but in the lat
ter part OF 1860 her increasing business in
duced her to remove her establishment to
California street, just above Kearny. The
change was an unfortunate one, however.
and ilI-success chung to her until she was
finally compelled to give up her place and
open small place on Morton street. After
year passed in this place she sold out and
left for the East. Since then very little is