The morning call., 1894-09-07

the pumps could not bring the watsr in
fast enough. Buckets and hand pumps
were pressed into service from the neigh
boring cottages and the volunt teers held the
flames in check long enough to save most
Of their property. About thirty people
were stopping at the inn and when the fire
broke out a number of ladies and children
were greatly frightened, as the men we're
for the most part In San francisco For
tuuately the wind was from the east and
as the fire started in the western end of
the building it made slower progress than
might have been expected from the char
acter of the structure, which was of frame
with a shingle roof. The most dangerous
feature of the fire was the fact that coal
oil pipes ran to all parts OF the hotel and
storage tanks were placed on each floor.
a number of explosions OF the coal oil oc-
cured while the building was burning,
and Michael Mcguire, the porter Of the
inn, narrowly escaped being seriously in
jured while bravely fighting the fire and
resculng the property OF the guests. Al
though 200 feet of hose was kept on hand,
it was impossible to get it out in time to
do any effective work.
Sheriff Harrison took command of the
volunteer fremen, and did much to re-
assure the frightened women and children.
The Larkspur Inn was built three years
ago by the American Land and Trust
U
Wright was notified OF the lUss Both Mr
Wright and the lessee, r. Nj. Briare, were
absent in this city during the fire, and ar
rived only to find a heap of smoking en-
bers aud twisted iron rods where their
property stood when they came to the city.
The insurance on the building and fur
niture was placed as follows: Springfield
Fire Insurance Company, $500: Prussian
National, $4,000; Union, $500; Fire In.
surance Uf Pennsylvania, S2500; Palatine,
S4500; British America, $500; American
of New YORK, $780, and the Western of
Toronto, $500. Several other companies
hold risks amounting to S30, 000 The loss
is S60,000 to the company, and personal
effects of Mr.. Wright and Mr.. Briare to
the value OF about $1,000 each we're de-
stroyed. Several employees lost all their
clothing. Enterprising hotel-keepers from
Mill Valley, San Rafael and other neigh
boring towns were promptly on the ground
and the guests found accommodations
easily.
The hotel was built at the foot of steep
and wooded hill, and some Of The under
brush caught fire, leaving blackened
track nearly TO the top OF the slope. Ell
for Is were at once directed toward stamp
ing out the fire in the brush, and IL was
brought under control Several camping
parties located near the burning building
were nearly broken up by the spread OF
the flames.
No one was injured. The owners of the
rescued property, which was scattered
over the surrounding grounds, were en-
deaYoring to Identify their belongings as
darkness settled guard was placed to
prevent thieves from taking advantage OF
nightfall to plunder.
President Wright stated that the inn VIII
be rebuilt on the same plan by January l,
and will be thrown open next spring.
Among the guests we're: w. Wright
and family, John McGee and family, L.
Sullivan and family. II. Stilwell and fami--
family, Mr.. and Mrs. Anderson, and the
Misses Blesheim. Galley. CrueIl and 9th
ers. I. b. Reade, the clerk of the hotel,
narrowly escaped being caught by fall
ing wall. The San Rlfael volunteer fire.
men came over on special train, but
could do nothing toward saving the struc-
ture Oh account of lack of water