The morning call., 1890-05-16
AFTER MANY YEARS.
South San Francisco at Last Sc.
cures Street-Cars.
The Event Celebrated With Music and Fire
works-speeches Made-A N ght
Of Jubilation.

South San Francisco was all ablaze with en-
thuslasm last evening The occasion was the
opening OF the extension line of the Omnibus
Cable Company, from 1wenIy-fourth street 10
Railroad avenue aud Fifteenth street. the very
center of that part of tie city:
Tue people of South San Francisco have so
long prayed for regular and efficient communlea-
ton with The cty,and have so often seen promises
melt into THU ar, that when IL became a cer-
tainty that railroad travel would be had. and that
fact was demonstrated by the laying OF the tracks
and Tie arrival OF The cars In the very middle OF
The burg, the joy Uf the residents knew no
bounds.
There was 70 be no more rolling rumbling
1umbling busses, no more long waits nor fares OF
10 cents on week days aud 20 cents on Sundays,
nor cessation of travel on account of impossible
roads.
In consequence the establishment of regular
communication was an event which could 40. he
passed by as an ordinary one, and last night was
the time fixed for The opening OF the road.
THE FIRST CARS.
The first cars, eight in number, left the
Tweniy-fourth-street terminus at 1880 o'clock.
In the first a brass band, and In the
residents OF South San Francisco. The run TO
Fifteenth avenue was made In twenty minutes.
" hen that thoroughfaTe was reached crowd OF
1000 had assembled, and the cars were wei.
coined with cheers.
The band struck up medley OF the most popu-
lar national airs and number OF bOnlires were
lit. Red lights baZed from many corners an d
the glare was reflected on the surrounding hills.
Rockets by the dozen. were sent into the air, and
Roman candles contributed their polychromatlc
beauties 10 the general illumination.
The citizens mad prepared one large frame
piece aud at o'clock 4 was lit. The motto was,
" Remember SutrO." When IL ignited tile effect
of silver lights was rare specimen of tile most
complicated pyrolechnics
The beautiful evening made all the fireworks
successful. which fact added TO the general lubI
latiOn, which, however, dubbed over without
needing these extra Incentives.
BURNING OF THE OLD STAGE.
One OF the features of the celebration was the
burning OF the old staee-an event accompanied
With almost religious sUlemnlty, both for the
reason that IL was the destruction OF an old relic
aud The symbol OF the Inauguration of Il new
era OF prosperity. one OF the old stages was
fixed up IN as handsome a style as possible. On
It's sides were Inscribed The words, Sacrificed
III la'oI Oh ine cars. oh rs top was a trans
parency entitled: .'Fare-Week days, 10 cents;
Sundays, 20 cents"
When Tue flames were set to the stage, the
frst blaze was the signal for a general cheer,
prolonged until almost the last vestiges had
passed away. There was more music aud fire
works, aud for over fifteen minutes the crowd
was as lively as strong lungs and enthusiastic
temperaments could make IL.
he Committee OF Arrangements having in
charge these affairs consisted of the following:
II. Lankenau, Ii. w. Gaulnei, j. A. &. Dlefks,
John OConnor, w. j. B. Warner, ID. b. Todd
Henry Rosrkanp, +. A. Rahlmanu and f. E.
Mealy.
IN THE OPERA HOUSE.
The brass band then proceeded to the South
San Francisco Opera House, which was soon
iied, many Of the audience being the wives OF
tile citizens who had foresialled their husbands
by taking possession while lhe fireworks were
burning.
The meeting was called to order by H. Lank-
enau, who made few remarks complimentary
Of GuSiave SutrO, the builder of the road.
There were many prominent citizens on the
platform, among them being: Gustave Sutro
SUPERVISORS Seiden =. Wright, Barry. Pilster.
kingNell eX-SupetvisOr Herman J0ost, IL.
Labkenau, DIR. Mclaughlin. E. f. Mealy, John
OCounor, John G0dens, L. Ii. Rahlmann, w. j.
b. Warner, Horace ~. Squires. Il. NJ. c. Mon
gels, DR. ID. B. Todd.
The Chairman introduced Supervisor Wright,
WHO said that lie had often heard of a man belug
struck with lightning out OF clear sky. He
felt just like such man. He had come TO the
celebration, but had no idea that there was such
spirit and enthusiasm in South San Francisco. He
knew that tie people had been waiting for years
Tor this communication, and obtaining this was
what aroused them. He predicted renewed
prosperity Tor that part OF the city.
SupervIsOs kingwel followed and said til at the
board had been IN favor OF tie Improvement,
ana he was glad II had been carried out.
sUTRo EULoGIZED.
Supervisor Barry said that the board had only
done It's duty, and was not entitled to any par
tlcuiar credit. As citizen he glad to see
that the residents now had the means OF reach
Ing the main part OF lhe city 50 easily.
DIR. Mclaughlin delivered a long address
highly eulogisiic Of Gustave Sutro whom lie
characterized as !" mercantile hero.'
supervisor itlster was called upon, but ex-
cused himself, saying that he had come out Just
TO see the celebralion and sample the wine.
GusiaVe Sutr0, In response 10 loud calls, al last
responded, and SAID: al Last year when we ap-
plled TO tiie Board OF Supervisors we had great
trouble IN getting our franchise. We promised
you by winter, put the elements would
you by the 10Th OF May. That is to-
day, and Il Is running We have kept our
promise. The trains will leave South San
francisco every eight minutes, and Will con-
Potrero avenue. Probably during the night aud
five minutes"
Three rousing cheers were then given by the
large audience for Mr.. Sutro, who acknowl-
edged the complement In appropriate terms.
RELIC OF THE PAST
During the course of the speech i-making mum.
by bringing into the hall hitter upon which was
stretched dnmny representing an old stage
driver. In one OF his hands the supposed corpse
held bottle OF whisky. The defunct stage
driver, instead OF Inspiring sorrow, caused the
auuience 10 Dreak INTO laughter and cheers.
not sorrowIully, "and hope lie Will stay dead"
which remark caused renewal OF the general
hllarily.
large part OF the audience which had re.
ceived invitations, then proceeded 10 the base
ment OF the hail, where refreshments had been
set out 10 celebrate the event. Speeches were
road.
The guests on emerging, instead OF having TO
1901 across Long Bridge, found street-cars ready
10 ping them Into The city, a convenience which
was well appreciated.