Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-07-25
At LAST.
THE CHINESE ROoKERY ON STREET
FINALLY WIPED OUT.
to Chinatown, at Last Succumbs
to Flames.

A mass of ashes is all that remains of the
block of wooden shanties on the north side
of ] street, from Third 10 Fourth. Hardly
timber is left upright, and the fire indeed
was complete success, SO far as the work
of devastation was concerned. About half
past clock yesterday morning an alarm
of fire was turned in from the Water-works,
and almost instantaneously flame shot
up from the roof of one of the frame
structures in the middle of the block. The
fire department was on the ground in a
remarkably short time and hundreds of
people, whose quiet slumbers had been dis
turbed by the shrieks of the fire-whistle,
donned their clothes and gathered at the
scene of the confagration.
A stiff south wind was blowing at the
time, and the flames were brilliantly re-
fiected in the foul smelling waters of Lake
Como" The sight was a grand one. Old
Sol was just climbing up beyond the noun
tains, and the dazzling streaks of fire shoot
ing up into the air, mingling with the re-
Elections of the sun upon the waters of the
slough, made a picture of weird-like
beauty.
The fire literally went through the frail
frame structure, as though made of finder,
and in very short time nothing remained
but mass of charred timbers During
the progress of the fire, Cinnamon were
rushing in and out of their houses, scream
ing and chattering wildly Some were try
ing to get their valuables, and would re-
main in their rooms until forced by the
heat to vacate. Others were endeavoring
to drag out safes, but the attempt was use
less, and only a very short time was af-
forded them in which to bring out their
household articles.
Streams of water were played on the
burning buildings, but with hardly any eff
feet. The foot-bridge across China slough
was saved, although scorched badly near
the end
About o'clock the whistle announced
that the fire was out, but long afterward
stream of water was kept playing on the
| Goals, and jabbering coolies were looking
on with great anxiety. Several safes were
among the ruins and after an hours labor
some OF them were unlocked. One con-
| tanned cans of opium, and from another
was taken quite large amount of silver
and valuable papers belonging to the Chi
nese population. Several of the Mongols,
who were too eager for plumber, had their
| fingers scorched and danced about in their
pain. Several small boys succeeded in
making away with small amounts of
money, and one or two are said to have
been lucky enough to make haul of $50
or 40.
| All of the buildings were occupied ex-
clusively by Chinese, and it is hard to tell
where or how the fire started. Some say
| that it commenced in a boarding house at
| about the center of the block, and another
theory is that parties smoking opium
| started the confagration. From the best
information obtainable no one was either
burned or seriously injured
w. S. Mesick owned the east half of the
block and Charles P. 0Neil owned the
west half. The only insurance is said to
be on the contents of a butcher-shop, in
the Sun Insurance Company, to the ex-
tent of $500. The total loss is estimated at
$4,000.
Various stories are flying about concern
| ing sums of money alleged to have been
lost. 1t is said that one Chiuaman recov-
cred $500 late yesterday afternoon after a
| persistent search in the ruins beneath
where he lived. A white boy is reported
tC have dug up $40 last evening from the
debris, and no doubt mythical fortunes
will be shoveled up for some days to come.