The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-22

roll, and it was not until after the atmos-
phere had cleared up somewhat that they
discovered that Wilkinson was the only
one missing.
Almost at the same instant they heard
some feeble meanings from the middle of
the huge pile of debris and saw hand
feebly waving for hclp. Willingly and en-
SPECIFICALLY they all went to work and in
about five minutes had succeeded in un-
covering the face of Wilkinson. The eyes
OF the wounded man turned on the face of
Gumper, whom he had known for eighteen
years, and half smiling called to him.
Red he called, Red I'm dying"
'No you're not, old man." replied
Gumper, well get you out all right. Well
get you out!'
The dying man smiled family through
the thick coating of plaster dust which al
most hid his features. Then he gasped a
few times, rattle came in his throat, and
as the doctor reached over to feel his pulse,
/ he died.
Outside the crowds had increased to such
an extent and the walls had such percep-
tible bulge in them that Captain Douglass,
| cooperating with Assistant Chief Engineer
Dougherty of the Fire Department, drove
them back, stretched ropes across the
| streets and ordered everybody out of the
building. Wilkinson being dead and there
| being none else to save, it was decided to
1 =
before ssking any more chances on human
life by alloSing any one to remain within
reaching distance of loosened material.
| Around on the Washlngton-street side
the walls appeared to be in the most dan
gerous condition and the firemen were set
to work on them at once. Engineer Wills
directing the men, had ropes placed on the
upper end of the wall nearest Dunbar alley.
The object was to pull away any loose por-
tions that might be in danger of falling,
| in order to allow ingress to the building
Time and again they pulled, but succeeded
in dislodging nothing but a few loose
bricks, the walls then being deemed suffi
| GENTLY strong to stand.
| When, at last, this was decided, fully an
hour and half had passed. The firemen
then entered the old Receiving Hospital
and in short time succeeded in releasing
the dead body of Wilkinson from the
debris. 1t was Immediately placed on q
litter and carried to the Morgue, where il
now lies.
The deceased was a short, heavy-set
man, about 45 years of age, unmarried
He has one sister, Mrs. Kittie Ferris, living
at Eureka, in Humboldt County, and an.
lother in Astoria, Or. Deceased was well
known around the town, having driven a
hack for long time for John Dwyer oil
Stockton street. He had been 1T work on
the old City Hall about week at the time
he met his death. Prior to that time he
had been working in the Bella Union
| Theater. His sister in Eureka was notified
of his death by telegraph
A rapid examination of the body after il
was taken to the Morgue showed that
death had most probably resulted from
suifocation. Both legs were broken. but
otherwise, except probably internally, he
was uninjured.
Nelson, the only other workman who
was hurt, got off with q severe bruise on
the left side of his chest and cut face
His clothing was also badly torn. After
his wounds were dressed he went back to
work as if nothing had happened.
w. W. Robbins, the foreman for ]. e.
Whittier, the contractor who is tearing
4 down the building, acting as spokesman fol