The San Francisco call., 1897-07-11
A HOODOO is
ON THE FRONT
Burglaries and Small Fires
Are Now Of Frequent
Occurrence.
The Captain Of the Schooner
Fortuna Robbed of Every
thing he Possessed.
Went to Sleep in the Cabin and
Awoke to Find That Even His
Underclothes Were Gone.

Burglnries and fires still continue to be
numerous on the water front. Three
small b!azes that seem to have had an in
cend diary origin have been reported during
the last few days, and several ourglaries
have been committed during the same
space of time.
At Beale-street wharf fire was discov-
cred under the wharf on which was
stacked a pile of lumber. If it had not
been for the great exertion on the part Of
Wharfinger Dryden and his assistants
there would have been a confagration.
Had the fire gained headway and the
lumber pile caught the flames would have
spread to the Oregon Improvement Com.
pany's coal bunkers and the loss would
have been very great
On Folsom-street wharf there were a
number of bales of iute which had been
discharged from the British ship Fngal,
which were ound to be on fire early yes
terday morning. The night watchman
and some of the sweepers put out the
blaze, but a few minutes later another fire
Ike out on the bulkhead between Fol.
som No. / and 2. This also was put out
without much difficulty by the employees
of the Harbor Commissioners These
small fires, coupled with the ones that
look place last week, have confirmed the
harbor officials in their belief that an in
cendiary is at work on the front.
The latest burglary committed was on
board the schooner Fortuna, lying at
Union-street wharf. During Friday night
some thieves eiuded the vigilance of the
watchdog and, entering the captains
cabin, got away with everything in sight.
Not satisfied with taking Captain Rasichs
new suit OF clothes, his watch and chain
and about $I5 III cash, they even took his
underclothing and left him nothing but
his nightshirt and a pair of socks In
order to get uptown the jolly skipper had
to borrow clothes from the members Of
his crew. The mate of the schooner was
also a sufferer. He lost his Sunday suit
and small amount in cash. The Harbor
Police are OF the opinion that a gang of
sneakthieves is working under the wharves
and at the same time starting small fires
along the waler front out of pure devil
ment. The rush OF Christian Endeavor-
ers will be over in a few days and then a
number Of men will be detailed to root
out the vagrants.
A water-tower is to be placed on the
State tiretug Governor Irwin. The need
of one was apparent when the Commo-
dore was on fire during the FoIsom-sireet
fire. The sails and main and mizzen
masts of the ship were burnt when all
could have been saved had there been a
water-tower. With the new fire appa-
ratus the ting can deluge the masts and
yards of n burning vessel from distance
of 800 feet and thus put out fire among
the sails in a few minutes.
Captain Alexander of the Santa Rosa is
a sick man, and will not be able to go olt
on his vessel to-day. Captain Bennett,
superin tendent Of the company, will take
out the big steamer.
News was received from the Oceanside
iife-Saving station yesterday afternoon
that three masted schooner had driited
in close near the shore off Point San Pc
dro. Captain Smith of the station tels-
phoned for tug, and the Sea Queen was
sent out. The schooner Gear from Tres
Marias passed close to the schooner, and
Captain Human says she was at anchor.
L schooner was later ascertained to be
the Jennie Stella. which was on its way
from this City to Portland In the alb
sence of wind it had anchored and all was
reported we'll.
The captain of the Gar also reports that
in latitude "a north, longitude 12S west,
the BODY of sailor was passed.
The remains were dressed in oilskins
and had on southwester. The corpse Is
thought 10 be oil that is left of Harry
Johnson, the mate of the Maxim, who
was washed off the iibboom during gale
about ten days ago.
There will be great gathering OF
Christian Endeavorers and sailors in tho
Mariners Church this morning. The
men from the British ships Barfillan,
Lansing, Arranmore and Thistle and the
German bark Paul berg, besides q
number of others, will send their men
ashore early in the morning to attend the
gathering. A tug will visit each vessel
and take off the men, returning them to
their quarters in the afternoon. Speeches
will be made by manv prominent Eastern
men and there will be singing by the
Christian Endeavor choir.
Captain G. A. jerks and fifty-five men
of the first troop of the cavalry, n: G. c.,
left for Healdsburg on the 3:45 Gamer
for Tiburon yesterday. The first halt will
be made at San Rafael. the second at
Petaluma, the third at Santa Rosa an d
the last at the camping ground. The re-
turn march will be over the same ground
and the men expect to get back about the
end Of the week.