The morning call., 1894-09-14

nav in the huge fimsy structure, which h
extended through the block TO East street,
and the workmen were hauling in load
after load of the combusuble stuff, for it i
cheap now, and Scott & McCord were lay
ing in their stock for the winter. They
have several thousand bales on the way to
this port, and are devoutly grateful that il
did not arrive in time for the blaZn.
A big puff of smoke that quickly turned
into dense light blue cloud was the first
herald of the coming flame. IL rolled gen.
tly out through the open doors and v in
dows and was waited by the southwestern
wind over the forest of masts" along the
front. 1t raiDed fiery fakes upon wharves
and decks as IL passed over, and the mari
ners became uneasy. for they knew by
costly experience how quickly little blaze
In district covered with stacks of hay.
plies of lumber and old rookeries, grow
into q confiagratiOn.
The cloud dr, pped some of its burning
passengers on the deck of the MarIDlsa
aud sprinkled the long, low root OF the
shed oD the wharf. Sowe one turned in a
'stilP' alarm, and Just as the flames ap-
peared in Scott & McCOrd's barn an an
CINE arrived and turned its stream upon
the blazing mountain of hay.
IL was too late. The fire had attacked d
the building. and in an lncrt di0ly brief
period OF time the structure was glowing
like an urn from Steuart street to East.
The firm hastily removed their books and
office furniture and left the big safe in the
corner to look out for itself; and when the
fire had consumed the building they found
the iron receptacle tilted over against a
heap of timber. blis,ered but intact.
AS every battle brings forth its hero,
every fire produces a philosopher Nc
Cord, having seen his books in a safe
m nA sal nil Of lt,r
ber opposite the burning building and
Dutfed cigar While his property turned
into ashes.
cts the third time the darned thing has
been on fire." he soliloQuiZed, "and
guess it will GO. No reason why L should
not look at this show thst / know OF.
There's big crowd of deedheads, ii is
true. but I've paid for my fun"
when the last fragment OF the structure
had disappeared and the fireman were
drenchlng mass of smoIderlng hay the
philosopher on the lumber pile remarked,
i've got nothing against the fremen.
There are some pretty good fellows among
them. and they think that they're doing
the right thing by me, but | wish they'd
leave that hay alone. I'LL cost like thun-
der to cart the stuff away"
Somers & Co.'s hay barn, 241 and 243
Steuart street. was right in the way of the
long tongues OF fire that were leaping from
Scott q McCOrd's building. The men,
berS OF the firm followed the example OF
their neighbors and moved their books and
furniture. leaving the safe 10 the corner.
AS the building baZed mp in the bright
sunlight flock Of pigeons flew out of an
upper window and after circling around
their disappearing home sped away toward
Mob Hill.
Somers & Co.'s barn had companions in
Its passing hour, Smaller structures on
the southeast and west were cracking and
smoking, and the consuming element had
found an entrance into every building be-
tween Scott & McCord's heap of smolder-
ing hay and Folsom street. The lodging
houses began to lose their guests, and the
owners had nothing to say about the little
bill which Jack was leaving udpaid behind
him, for they were busy removing their
worldly goods to the streets, wfTich were
soon Uttered with time-worn trunks and
chests. cheap furniluTe of bar and bed.
room, barreIs of steam beer and demijo hns
Of the potent liquor that inspires the bold
sailor boy with passionate yearnlDg ior
battle.
Five buildings were burning, and flames
were dancing along the dry wharves and
bulkhead when the second alarm was
sounded. Fire boats and tugs, the Gov.
ernOr Markham. the Vigilant and the Re.
lance darted up to the Oceanic dock and
directed their streams upon the burning
wharves and bulkhead. The flames were
easily extingulshed, but the mariners still
looked with apprehensive eyes upon the
blazing buildings. The smoke filled the
cabin and staterooms of the Mariposa. and
there is Likelihood that she will have tC
go out to the heads for an airing before
the smell of fire" leaves her.
The buildings 247, 249. 251 and 25f
Steuart street, went down like houses
built OF straw. They were owned by
Scott OF Scott & McCord and FL. j. Rider
John Kane's boardirg-house. BENJAMIN
Lindholm's saloon, Gustav A. Laaninen's
saloon and the South Harbor Police sta
lion. Two women-a Mrs. Egan and hel
daughter-narFowiye escaped death in th,
burning lodging-house They started K
| leave the upper story, bat were overcom,
by the smoke and fell unconscious upor