The morning call., 1893-10-06
ONLY A MEMORY.
Old St. Ignatius Building
Coming Down.
1T WILL SOON DISAPPEAR.
The Demolition of Historic and
Familiar Landmark on Market
Street Has Begun.

In a few days one of the boldest and
most familiar landmarks OF San francisco
Will be raZed to the ground and be only
memory.
The work of demolition has begun in
earnest, for yesterday large force of
workmen were employed on the old st.
Igpatius building, on Market street, tear
ing down the ugly shanties that have long
disfgured the city's main thoroughfare,
and preparing for the demolition Of the
brick buildings. In places an unob-
structed view to Jessie street is afforded,
where the temporary stores were erected.
and some idea of the area to be covered
by handsome building may be had from
this prospect of sand and eucalyptus be-
tween the two streets. The college build
ing is being Quilted inside by men who
bought the doors. windows and other
material for trifie. Before this week is
over nothing but the walls will remain,
and that alone amid heap of debris.
This historic pile of buildings was once
considered far in advance of similar struc-
lures in San Francisco.
When Father Murasky. S. j., came from
the East to establish church in this city
he bought hundred-vara lot for S11, 500,
adjoining the Academy of Sciences build
ing. That was in May, 1856. In 1860 he
purchased for 800 another piece of
property on the west Of his first purchase.
Toget her these lots have an area of 275x350
feet. A few years ago this land was sold
10 Mrs. Parrot for 100000 cash. If
commission had been added the price
would be fully a million dollars.
Father Murasky opened frame church
in July, 1855. The old structure. or at
least part OF it, remains standing against
the academy, though the facade was torn
down and business front put In its place.
On October Is, 1885, a school was opened
beside the church. The brick building was
erected in 1850 In the early days the
place was in the city's outskirts. Market
street was impossible because a great
sanohill between Fourth and Fifth OBJ
structed the thoroughfare. The way out
to ST. Ignatius College and church was
over planked sidewalk along Geary street,
around the hill 10 Market street.
The brick church was intended for hall.
as a sacred edtce nearly 100 feet wide in
front was contemplated, but the new tax
law, which brought church property under
the Assessors control changed original
plans. In 1880 the Jesuit fathers moved 10
their present location on Van Ness avenue
and Hayes street.
OLD 81. Ignatius College, can lay claim to
distinguished hOnors N the domain of sci
ence and letters. Without doubt the dis
coyeries and advances made under its roof
by scholarly priests are the chief laurels of
which it boasts. 1t was there that the first
electric light was made to shine in Cali
fornia. -
Father Neri, assisted by DR.. Jerome
Hughes and DIR. Pescia, then pupils in the
college, caused a sensation by developing
the new light and strangely illuminating
Market street. In the centennial year,
1876, three electric lights, having an illu-
minating power equal to 1000 candles each,
were shown. Electric light was not then
divided as at present, but 1t was great
advance, this experiment, that showed
what could be accomplished with bits OF
carbon pointed one at the other and con-
nected with poles of Bunsen battery of
sixty ours and one dynamo. About the
same time Father Neri made science pOpu-
lar for young people by presenting scen-
tific subjects in al entertaining manner
and interesting boys in study. Professor
LIE Conte of Berkeley University and
Father Neri were the first to plant science
in California. A common bond existed
between these men, and they have been
intimate friends since the time they were
Pioneers in their favorite work together.
Rev. Joseph Bayma, who for years was
president of the old college, has left dis
iingushed name be hind him. AS mathe-
matecian it is doubtful If he had an equal
in his best days. In the highest and most
abstruse flights of mathematics he found a
special pleasure, and from beaten tracks
he went in TO fields where only mind of
wonderful analytical power and talent
could find way. he was known in the
universities of Europe and the East. had
correspondence with the most eminent
professors of his tme. who regarded him
as phenomenal man. Professor Tyndail
said of him after reading Father Bayma'S
work on molecular mechanics, THAT man
is hundred years ahead of this age"
because the book was too deep for stu
dents, except the very few. Among his
remarkable feats in mechanics was the
trisection of an angle and a full demon
stration of the correctness Of his problem.
The Parrot estate will lose no time in
preparing the site for magnificent struc-
ture of seven stories, which has been fully
described in THE CALL. The land Is tou
valuable to be left idle for any great