davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1897-12-19
Floors of Maple.

All the maple floors throughout the
building were furnished and placed in
position by Mr.. Robert Smile, whose
twenty-five years of experience in this
department of contracting work in this
city is an excellent guarantee of their
perfect construction and even surface.
Mr.. Smile also by sub-contract placed
all the wood finish aside from the floors
which is comprehended under the term
of woodwork" This includes the
doors, window frames, window sash
and wainscoting. The finished stock,
entirely of oak, was shipped from Chi
cago in the condition known to the
trade as ''knockdown," or in readiness
for the hands of the joiner. After be-
ing put together it was placed in posi-
ton by Mr.. SMILES corps of carpen-
ters and it is doubtful whether as fine
an exhibition of wood finish is to be
seen in any public building on the
coast. Every foot is of selected ma
terial and presents as high a polish as
any piece of furniture could. Mr..
SMILES office and lumber yard are To-
Gated at the corner of First and Web
ster streets, Oakland. His mail address
is at 40 New Montgomery street, this
city.
The San Francisco call., 1897-12-19
Electrical Apparatus.

The generators of the electrical cur
rent for both power and light, together
with the switchboard appliances, were
manufactured by the General Electric
Company of Schenectady, N. Y The
installation consists of three genera
tors, each of 100 kilowatt capacity, and
directly connected to the shaft of a
marine type of a compound Ball en-
gine running at a speed of 275 revolu-
tionS per minute.
These generators are of the type de-
signated by the manufacturers as NJ. P.
6-1O0-275, and are equipped with all the
latest and best fittings suggested by
long and practical experience in this
particular field Of mechanical investi-
cation.
The San Francisco call., 1897-12-19
Steam-Heatinq and Tilino

The appliances for heating the Claus
Spreckels building were furnished by
and the laying of the tiling was the
work of w. w. Montague & Co., of
309-317 Market street, this city The
contract for this work was a large one,
necessitating the employment of an
army of men for many weeks, and the
use of a vast quantity of material. The
method of heating the building by
steam has been explained elsewhere
and need only be referred to here. The
tiling used in the work was especially
prepared for the purpose and is of the
very best material. In addition to the
work mentioned, w. W. Montague 6,
Co. fitted up the kitchen on the top
floor of the building. with a sumptu-
BUSINESS unequaled save at the more
famous rotisseries about town.
Mr.. Montague, the head of this old
established business house, is one of
the best known men in the city. He
has been long identified with public af-
fairs and last spring was honored by
President Mckinley with the position
of Postmaster for San Francisco. to
which office he was appointed for a
term of four years. Mr.. Montague's ex-
cellent reputation as a business man.
as we'll as his numerous services to the
political party to which he belongs.
served to bring him an entirely unso-
licited honor. The firm of which he is
the head deals in sheet iron, tin plates,
pumps, iron pipe and brass goods for
The San Francisco call., 1897-12-19
Electroliers and Mail Chutes.

The beautiful electroliers in use in
the building as well as the mail chutes
were furnished by the Thomas Day
Company of 725 Mission street, one of
the leading firms on the Pacific coast.
The character of the work performed
by this firm is of the best, and it's repu-
tation for honesty and fair dealing in
business stands high.
The business was established bv
Thomas Day in 1849, and he operated it
under his name alone until August
1882, when he sold out to F. J. Symmes
who had been connected with the con-
Germ from 1871, and to Vanderlynn
Stow, who entered it at that time, 1t
was continued by these gentlemen as
partnership until December 1886
when 1T became an Incorporation. The
original location was at 732 Montgom-
cry street, near Jackson. A branch
store was conducted for many wears at
335 Pine street on the site of the pres
ent Stock Exchange. In 1875 the firm
removed to 122 Sutter street and in 1897
to 222 Sutter street, where it remained
until the early part of this year, when
1t moved into its present magnificent
quarters at 725 Mission street.
The manufacturing of gas and cleo
trio fixtures was begun on a small
scale in 1882, but this has increased in
recent years to such an extent that the
firm is now one of the leading manu-
facturers in that line in the United
States. The firm employs from sixtv
to 100 men, and only the finest grade
of metal work is turned out by this
force. A special grade of castings is
made for the instrument makers. and
any design in bronze, brass and fine
metal work may now be manipulated
The foundry, polishing and plating de-
partmentS are the most complete unon
the coast. Electro-plating in all it's
branches is here treated as a fine art
The firm is in position to furnish fix
lures for fine residences and office
buildings at prices which cannot he
duplicated by Eastern manufacturers
Many fine buildings in this city have
been fitted up by this firm, the best ex-
amples of their skill being displayed
in the Mills, Spring Valley and Clans
Spreckels buildings.
The advantage to this community of
having an establishment of this kind
supporting from fifty to one hundred
families in our midst is one which San
Franciscans should not lose sight of
and they should certainly favor il in
stead of placing with Eastern manu-
facturers, as many do, their orders for
goods which can be secured far more
cheaply in this city.
The San Francisco call., 1897-12-19
Power House and Smokestack.

Power House and Smokestack.
The commodious power house and
the magnificent Smokestack which
rears its stately height to a distance of
ITO feet in the rear of the main build
ing are the work of the we'll known
brickwork contractors, Messrs. Pea
cock & Butcher. The bricks used in
the construction of this work came
from Stockton and Sacramento, and
over 100000 were required in the work
Messrs. Peacock & Butcher have, by
years of active labor, won an excellent
reputation for reliability, promptness
and good workmanship. Mr.. Peacock
has been resident and contractor of
this city for twenty-five years, and
his associate, Mr.. Butcher, has re-
sided here just half that time. The
city is dotted in every direction with
monuments that attest to the skill of
their handiWork or management They
constructed the Lane Hospital several
years ago, and also the power house
OF the Mission street railway. In this
latter work the firm performed the
phenomenal feat of laying 500. 900 bricks
IN sixteen days. Among other edifices
erected by them may be mentioned the
power house of the Edison Light Com
pany, just completed on Stevenson
street, and the City Hall of Alameda.
Ihey are now constructing the Sum-
mer building on Ellis street
The San Francisco call., 1897-12-19
Massive Steel Work

The complicated frame of steel en-
ployed in the building was erected bv
the Pacific Rolling Mill COMPANY of
this city. This concern is the largest of
It's kind on the coast, and the best
work ever performed by it has been
expended on the Claus SpreckeIs build
ing. Over 400 tons of steel beams. bed
ded in concrete and extending under
the adjoining buildings, as well as
under the street, formed the founda-
ton upon which the building rests
Then came the great iron bases upon
which the columns rest, and rearing
their height some 900 feet. These COL
umns sustain the entire building. the
stone and brick work, the floors and
dome. AT each floor level girders built
of steel channels girt the entire build
ing, and upon these girders the stone
rests, each story being carried separ-
ately and entirely independent of each
other.
In order to prevent the building from
swaying a system of portal arches was
designed by which absolute rigiditv
was secured in defiance of the god of
storms. The material used was of the
same quality of steel required bv the
Government in the building of battle
ships. Manager Patrick Noble of the
Pacific Rolling Mill illustrated the ex-
pedition with which that concern exc
cutes all contracts by actually erect
ing the steel work on one floor in three
days, although his contract called for
its completion in eight days. In the
construction of steel buildings this con-
Germ has no superior III the United
States. The officers of the company are
Charles S. Neal, president; L. F. Mon
teagle, vice president; Patrick Noble
general manager, and Leon D. Smith
secretary.
The San Francisco call., 1897-12-19

The difficulty so frequently encoun-
tered in the past with most generators,
technically known as sparkling at
brushes and general bad behavior un-
der overload, has been totally elm
mated from these machines, and they
require but a minimum amount of at
tention While rendering a maximum
service.
The switchboard is a model of it's
kind, ornamental to a degree, and so
fully equipped with clever and service
able devices that not wave of electri-
cal energy goes aStray nor is it's record
lost. The current is held to strict ac-
countability. A Thomson recording
watt meter indicates how the power is
distributed and from what outlet; a
Bristol recording volt meter shows the
slightest variation in pressure at the
ends of the feeders supplying lamps
and furnishes a permanent record of
its service. On each feeder is a Bris-
tel recording ammeter, whose function
is like the volt meter, except that it re-
cords the flow of current instead of
pressure. The wiring is especially
heavy and of the highest quality, all
incased in iron armored conduit, the
generator leads being 1000, 600 circular
mills cable and the feeders to main
building 100000 circular mills. The
| cable is manufactured by the COM
pany.
1t is an undisputed fact that the
electrical plant of the Claus SpreckeIs
building is most modern and efficient
and quite the equal of any in the
United States. 1t reflects much credit
upon the makers-the General Electric
| Company
The San Francisco call., 1897-12-19
Massive Brickwork.

The brickwork in the Claus Spreckels
building, which is concealed by the
outer wall of stone, is a feature of the
CONSTITUTIONAL part of the edifice which
must not be overlooked. The walls to
the sixteenth story are twenty-five
inches thick, but from that point they
are some inches smaller. In this work
steady employment was given to from
ten to fifteen men for over six months,
and about 100000 bricks were used.
The work is pronounced a finished
and thorough piece of masonry, and is
only in keeping with all work done by
the contractor, Mr.. John Mccarthy,
during the past twenty years. AT al
The San Francisco call., 1897-12-19
Foundation Preparations.

The supporting of the adjoining
building during the process of excaVa-
ton was performed by ]. S. Stratton'
who is associated with his son and at
torney in fact c. c. Stratton, at 40 New
Montgomery street. In this work un-
usual care was necessary to secure the
adjoining buildings from harm. Their
natural support having been removed
artificial braces by timbers and jack
screws were supplied. The work was
safely accomplished by Mr.. Stratton-
He is the oldest contractor in house
raising and holding in the city.
The San Francisco call., 1897-12-19
Tinting and Decorations.

The tinting of walls and their decor
alton, when performed with a harmo-
NOUS effect pleasing to the eye, is an
art no less important than the execu-
ton by master of a painting designed
to charm art lovers at the salon. In
this respect the rooms of the Spreck-
els building are perfect, the prevailing
color being light sage green, while the
corridors and stairs are finished in buff
color.
This important work was performed
by two different firms. Eight floors
were finished by F. w. Goetze, the well
known fresco painter, of 1914 Market
street. Mr.. Goetze's work speaks for
itself 1t has soft and handsome an
pearance, the tinting harmonizing in
every detail with the woodwork and
marble. All that art, taste and work.
manshlp could offer has been supplied
by Mr.. GOetze, the result being most
pleasing to the eye. Despite the fact
that tinting on new plaster offers MANY
difficulties, Mr.. Goetze's work has
shown itself to be absolutely without
a flaw.
Mr.. Goetze acquired his trade in Ger
many and worked in Vienna, Buda
Pesth and other cities of Europe where
the decoration of buildings is an art.
He came to this country in his early
manhood from Berlin and settled in
Chicago. In 1874 he resolved to come to
California, since which time he has fol-
lowed his trade of frescoing, decorat-
ing and artistic painting, in all it's
branches, in this city He is well known
here as an artist in his line and his
services are constantly in demand.
Many handsome residences in San
Francisco bear the imprint of his
genius in their interior decorations.
Among the more notable of these may
be mentioned the magnificent residence
of Claus Spreckels on Van Ness ave-
nue., and the house of the same gentle
man on Howard street. In all the
buildings decorated by Mr.. Goetze the
beauty of the work is no less marked
than its durability. He originates
fresco designs and his assortment is
very large. Personally an affable man.
Mr.. Goetze has many friends who sing
his praises everywhere.
The San Francisco call., 1897-12-19
Construction Of the Dome.

Construction Of the Dome.
To the pedestrian on Market street
walking in the direction of the Spreck-
els building and whose eyes rest lin
geringly upon the beautiful dome
which crowns the stately structure, the
impression is conveyed that it is con-
structed of solid stone. This, however,
is an error, for it is terra Gotta, ma
terial the use of which for practical as
well as ornamental purposes has be-
come general among those who have to
do with the construction of large build
ings. The extensive use of terra Gotta
for architectural decoration has been
very marked during the past few years
| and il is now recognized as fire proof
material of beauty, strength and dura-
bility.
The terra Gotta work on the dome
was performed by Messrs. Gladding,
Mclean & Co, whose Office is located
at 1853 Market street. The works of
the firm are located at Lincoln and
Vallejo, Cal. The material produced
here is of the best and as the works
| are extensive, the best results have
been obtained. 1t is made here in
many different colors, from a rich red
or warm ocher to a cream color. The
powdered silica and is thoroughly
homogeneous. It's texture is dense and
the surface is quite smooth. Especial
care is taken at the works to produce
only the best terra Gotta and in as
great variety as can be made. The
business of the firm is very large and
in the pursuit employment is furnished
to many artisans and laborers
The steel work of the dome was care
fully filled in with covering of porous
terra Gotta, known as fire proofing."
Over this was laid the smooth finished
terra Gotta in small blocks accurately
joined, so as to give the impression of
being a continuous piece traversing
the graceful lines of the dome. The
beauty of the work as we'll as its SER
viceability can be seen at a glance, and
that it reflects credit upon the contrac-
tors all experts on terra Gotta agree
Ir addition to the work on the dome
Messrs. Gladding, Mclean & Co. fur
nished the hollow tile fire proofing
used in constructing the walls of the
building. BY the use of these hollow
tiles a building becomes absolutely fire
proof and their use in all large struc-
lures is now specifically provided for
Great care is exercised in their manu-
facture, the baking of the clay being as
much an art to-day as it was during
the days of Sesostris. Only experts are
| employed by the firm, the result being
that the output of their works is of the
best, capable of answering every re-
quirement.
The San Francisco call., 1897-12-19
Dome and Window-Glass

All of the glass used in the building
was furnished by w. P. Fuller & Com
pany, corner Pine and Front streets.
this city. The window glass is all of
the first quality of plate, While the
mirrors set in the toilet cases and
those that form the panels of the in
terror wall of the restaurant on the
fifteenth floor are of French plate. The
inside glass of the doors and corridors
is all crystallized.
The twelve lights of bent glass of
the first floor of the dome are unusual
ly large, 96x110 inches, and their install
lation was attended with much diff
Guilty. The only means of raising them
to the floor was by the elevator which
was barely large enough to carry them.
It allowed but a margin of one inch
of carrying space. BY the exercise of
great care and patience the work was
successfully accomplished. In addition
to supplying the glass it is a note
worthy fact that w. P. Fuller & Co.'s
extra star brands of cylinder and en-
gine oils have been selected as the most
suitable article of the kind for Iubri-
eating the fine exhibition plant placed
in the engine room by the Risdon Iron
Works. The selection of these brands
of oil is an excellent Endorsement of
their superior quality and reputation
on this market, as opposed to all East.
The San Francisco call., 1897-12-19
Duffey Bros Plumbing.

The plumbing throughout the build
ing was the work of Duffey Bros, the
we'll known plumbers and gas filters of
304 Stockton street. The reputation of
this firm for honest work is of the
highest, and an inspection of their
work in the structure referred to
proved that it was without a flaw. The
contract was very large one, but it
was finished according to schedule
time, the operation affording employ
ment for weeks to an army of en-
ployes.
Nearly every building of imposing di-
mensions in this city exhibits evidences
of the handiwork of Duffey Brothers in
the excellence of its sanitary condition,
so far as such condition is dependent
upon the finest plumbing with which
it could be supplied. Aside from the
Claus Spreckels building may be men
toned the Union Depot and Ferry
Building, the Hub building, Alliance
Assurance building, Mills building, Pa
cific Mutual Life building, the Otis
building, DIR. McNutt's sanitarium,
Marchand building, corner of Geary
and Stockton, the Strathmore, old Su-
preme Court building, the Branden-
stein block, residence of the late A. N.
Towne, and many others. The work
they have done in the past speaks for
itself, and is a guarantee that their
excellent reputation is not an empty
honor.
The speciality of Duffey Brothers is
fine job work, the remodeling of house
interiors in accordance with the best
approved hygienic regulations. Their
improved system of drainage and
plumbing is admitted by experts to be
the best in use in the city, the result
being that their services are constantly
in demand.
Both members of the firm spent con-
siderable time in the East some years
ago inspecting the plumbing systems
in vogue there, and they have en-
bodied the best and most desirable pro-
cesses in their operations here. They
have an immense stock of everything
pertaining to the plumbers and gas fit
ter's craft, and what is better STILL a
corps of the most skilled mechanics
in their employ.
Their bath room supplies are of the
best and latest manufacture. All work
is done under the personal supervision
of the firm, thus insuring the best and
most satisfactory service.
The San Francisco call., 1897-12-19
Metal and Wire Work

Among the first objects that rivet the
attention of visitors to the Spreckels
building on entering is the iron grille
work that incloSeS the elevator shaft
and which extends from the floor to the
ceiling. For beauty of workmanship
and richness Of design, these grilles ex-
Gel anything of the kind ever seen on
the coast if not in the United States.
The designs are by Reid Brothers, ar
chitects, and the work was executed
by the California Artistic Metal and
Wire Company, whose office is located
at 80 First street, in this city.
The iron grilles around the elevators
are an excellent example of the old
German wrought iron work. Wrought
iron is commonly considered as a metal
too intractable to be successfully ma
nipulated and worked into really deli
cate and artistic forms. 1t has sue
cumbed to the skill of the artisans en-
ployed by this firm, however, the result
being seen in the exquisite flower and
leaf work, forged and hammered,
which the grilles present. The design
and execution of the other parts of the
grille work are of the highest order
and reflect great credit upon the man
ufacturers.
After the execution or the work IN
the rough it was electro-plated and fin
ished in old copper, so that its resem-
blance to that metal might deceive the
most obServant eye. While serving as
a safeguard, the grilles at the same
time prove an ornament in harmony
with the finish of the floors. The ele-
vatQr cars are provided with double
sliding doors of the same finish, and
are the best of their kind in the city.
All of the iron window frames, metal
doors, stairways and metal finish in
The Call office were made by this
firm. The material used was of the
best and its manipulation was in &C
cordance with the best approved meth
DDS. The iron was electro-plated by
the duplex process, so that it is inn
pervious to damp or corroSion. The
California Artistic Metal and Wire
Company also furnished the patent fire
proof ceilings used in this as we'll as
many other buildings recently erected
in this city. The reputation for first
class and conscientious work already
gained by this firm has been accentu-
ated by it's performance in the build
ing under consideration.
The San Francisco call., 1897-12-19
Hardware for the Buildinq.

hardware 1Or Jhe BulIdlnQ.
In the selection of the hardware for
the building the prevailing idea was
to secure not only the best material
but that it should be of artistic design
and finish, beautiful and durable. The
hardware contract was awarded TO the
Palace Hardware Company of CO.,
Market street, and in it's fulfillment the
company was both conscientious and
jealous.
The San Francisco call., 1897-12-19

most every turn in this city is con-
spicuous evidence of his efforts, among
which may be mentioned the Mills
building, the Union Trust, the Spring
Valley Water Company, the New York
Mutual Life, the Chronicle building,
and others.
The San Francisco call., 1897-12-19
THE Marble Wnpk

The beautiful marble work that
greets the eye in every portion of the
building was performed by the firm of
Ruffino & Bianchi, 864-S70 Bryant
street. No building constructed upon
modern ideals is artistically complete
without finishing it's entrances and
halls with polished marble, and the
Spreckels building is no exception. The
vestibule of the building, finished in
deeply colored, highly polished Tennes-
see marble, contrasts sharply but
pleasingly with the gray stonework OF
the structure without. The designs of
the architect were faithfully carried
out by Messrs. Ruffino & Bianchi. and
their work indicates the greatest skill
in this most important feature of mod
ern construction.
The marble used in the building is
known as champion pink" and was
quarried in Tennessee. 1t was receiv
ed at the mill of Ruffino & Bianchi in
massive blocks, and then cut into suit
able slabs and polished. Under their
contract the firm has supplied the
wainscoting of the halls, steps and fin
ish of the entrance and vestibule. In
all about 1000 cubic feet of marble was
used. The firm of Ruffino & Bianchi
was established twenty years ago. and
its business is quite extensive.
The San Francisco call., 1897-12-19
N47=. !:

gas, steam and water, stoves, metals,
plain, japanned, planished and stamped
tinware, and all kinds of agate and
enameled iron wares. The volume of
business done every year by this house
is enormous, orders for goods being re-
celved from distant points in the East,
North and South. In order to facili-
tate operations in this State the firm
has established branches in Los An
geles and San Jose. In mercantile cir
cles the rating of w. w. Montague &
Co. is AL
The San Francisco call., 1897-12-19

achievement in the history of San
Francisco, the metropolis Of the Pacific
Coast.