davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The herald., 1897-12-26

Since 1866 to date decline in values
is shown, but that is rather apparent
than real, and can be explained by the
lower prices of materials, labor and COM
petition.
During the past year 1891 new build
ings, flats and tenements have been
built, at a cost Of $1,557 $40; 45 brick
buildings for business purposes, at cost
of $5742S6; churches, at cost of $54,-
O41; S warehouses, at cost of $50, ,09l; 9
machine shops and factories, at cost
of $14,235, and 715 additions, enlarge
ments and alterations have been made,
at cost of s251.3as.
Quite large number of the business
blocks would ornament any city in the
world, while many of tho private resi-
dences OF Los Angeles are models of
artistic architectural beauty and COM
pare more than favorably with the resi-
dences of any other city in the United
States. True, the architectural mon
strosity is to be seen in the business GEN.
ters, as we'll as on the principal resi-
dence Streets but this is the necessary
result of the lack of artistic perception
on the part of citizens, and in some sort
serves happy purpose. The contrast
between the truly beautiful anu lnat
which is hideously ugly from an archi-
tectural standpoint is so sharply defined
that the education of the aestheic side
OF the peoples characters goes on apace
and all the more pleasantly. perhaps
because unconsciously to the individual
The most striking developments dur
ing the year have taken place on Broad
way, the handsome boulevard that is
being quickly lined with large business
The herald., 1897-12-26

blocks. While it is not possible to give
In detail a resume of all the work done
in this direction reference may be made
to some Of the more important buildings.
The erection of the Laughlin block,
between Third and Fourth streets on the
west side Of Broadway, has by reason
Of its substantial character, marked out
almost a new era in the city's develop
ment. While Los Angeles has number
of buildings that would ornament any
city in the United States, the Laughlln
shares with only three or four others
in the country in being absolutely fire
proof. Wood is to be throughout con-
spicuous by it's absence, and iron, steel,
concrete and marble viii serve every re-
Quirement.
The building has frontage on Broad
way of 120 feet, with a depth of 120 feet
and an opportunity to extend this TO 164
feet when required; it is six stories in
height, with basement and attic. The
framework is Of steel, the expanded
metal system of re-proofing being fol-
lowed in filling in with concrete. The
front is Of a very superior light buff
pressed brick, with terra Gotta facings,
the entrance archWay being flanked by
columns of gray granite. The hallway,
and also the stairway. will be covered
III and paneled In with Inyo marble
This marble has, in parts, the beautiful
appearance of a mossagate and has Won
derful strength. In addition to other
tests, it stood a 25 per cent greater COM
preston than granite, and so will not
only make very beautiful appearance,
but lend strength to the structure. The
entrance floor will be laid with mosaic
in rich and warm designs and the ele-
vator enclosures will be of handsome
antique brass, the elevators being of
the very latest design and similar to
those in the Astoria hotel, New York
the most palatial hostelry in the world
The stair rails will also be of antique
brass. and each step will be formed by
slab of Inyo marble. The floors Of the
several stories will be of concrete those
Of the corridors being of vitreous tiling
and mosaic, the wairscoting to CORE
spond. All of the doors will be Of steel
electroed with a copper finish.
Fronting on Broadway will be accom-
mediation for one very large store, or,
if divided, five average sized stores.
Upon the floors above will be 100 Offices.
all self-contained and independent or
ensuite, as may be desired. The exterior
tiers of offices will be eXcellently lighted.
each room having an eighty-foot area
Of glass. The interior tiers will be equally
The herald., 1897-12-26

story building and contains siXty-three
rooms. Without being ornate it is in
every way comfortable and is furnished
with electric and elevator service.
During the year some very beautiful
homes have been erected in various
parts of the city, and more particularly
i'll the Westlake Park district. Plans,
too, have been drawn by several firms
of architects for other equally artistic
residences, for which contracts have, in
some instances, been let.
The home of Alfred Solano, at the
southeast corner of Figueroa and Twen-
ty-third streets is undoubtedly one Of
the most beautiful not only Of the year,
but in the city. In style it as an adapta-
tion of the English half timber work, and
is in the center of q lot having q 'front.'
age on Figueroa street of 120 feet, and
175 feet on Twenty-third street. The
first story is Of rough red brick, trimmed
with pressed brick, and set in white NOR
tar with wide joists. A rugged effect is
thus given to the lower portion of the
house. The upper portion is of timber
with natural finish, and plaster panels
with characteristic carving on the open
timber Of grotesque heads. The
broken roofs are of steep pitch
and are covered with English
tiles; the chimneys are big and heavy
in appearance in consonance with the
general style Of treatment.
The stable and outhouses are all in the
same style, and built Of the same mater
ials. There are fourteen rooms in this
most artistic of homes, and while thor
oughly comfortable in every respect the
only novelty is in the adoption of the
California redwood in the richest grains
in preference to the hard eastern woods
Only in the dining-room is oak used, but
elsewhere the rich warm tints of the
redwood are utilized with the happiest
effect.
The private garden and grounds are
surrounded by high brick wall, lower
| one enclosing the remainder of the prem
ises. The general appearance of the
group of buildings is one of cosy comfort
and quiet elegance, there being an en-
tire absence of ostentatious display eth
er in material or coloring.
The firm of Denis & Farrell has drawn
plan for a home for H. G. Wiltshire, to
be erected at the corner of Carondeet
street and Wiltshire boulevard, which is
a most charming design. 1t Is merely a
study after the style of the mission re-
naissance. The curved and sweeping
roof is the distinctive feature, albeit the
Italian Belvedere, or tower. shares with
The herald., 1897-12-26

loge being plastered with stucco orna.
mentation. On the first floor there Is g
large reception hall, with six spacious
living rooms. and above them Is sit
ting room hall. opening into the loge
which has south frontage. In the attic
is billiard room and the boys cham.
ber, these having dormer windows. The
building, with outhouses, In set on one.
quarter of a block. and will cost about
$4,000. The architects are Denis & Far.
| rell.
Another very artistic house. designed
by F. l.. Rochrig is the building at the
! corner of Adams street and Grand ave-
nue.. erected for ]. J. Fay. jr., president
Of the Citizens bank. Interiorly 1t is
| a model Of convenience and good taste
and is finished throughout with oak and
primivera (white mahogany. The spa
c!ous hall has in 1t large pressed brick
mantel, with carved stone shelves. There
are five rooms on the first and sever
ON the second floor, they all being nm
ished richly and in good taste.
A very elaborately appointed home
has been erected by Mrs. Nettie Mueller
at the corner of Burlington avenue and
Seventh street, from plans drawn by
c. H. Brown, the architect. The 'front.'
age on the avenue is 100 feet and 165 feet
on Seventh street, the entrance being by
flight Of steps to the porch at the corner
of the house. The building Is frame,
with cement foundation, and cost $14,
600.
There are some very novel features In
the interior arrangement Of this home.
bo !, ;e,o 10 roc
and from it are separated the librory
and parlor by archways with fancy grill
work. These can be thrown in with the
hall. making one immense room. 40x44
feet. At night. with the grilled arch
ways and the staircase lined with elec-
trio lights, the effect is brilliant.
The house throughout is finished In
yellow pine. The stairway Is somewhat
peculiar. inasmuch as three steps from
the hall there is a landing where the pi-
ano is placed, this alcove being inclosed
by grillwork. On the second floor are
four large bedrooms, the larger front one
connecting with similar one In the
rear by a connecting dressing ROOM
shared in common by Mrs. Mueller and
her daughter. The bathroom Is tiled
throughout and in addition to the square
porcelain tub there are shower and nee
die spray baths. In the attic are two
bedchambers with dormer windows.
In the basement there Is wine room
a card room. billiard room and bowling
alley. All of these are without doors
grilied archways serving the same pur-
pose. There are two furnaces. one to
heat the basement and the other to heat
the house proper. Electricity Is fur
nished throughout the house and in ev-
cry room is an open crate with orna.
mental mantels.
The herald., 1897-12-26
EVOLUTION OF FACITY

The fame of the city Of Los Angeles
has been heralded far and wide. For a
city of slightly over 100000 inhabitants
its advantages have been set forth and
discussed at greater length than any
other city of similar size in the United
States. Its rapid development as a
business center, owing to it's splendid
location in the midst Of most fertile ter
ritory tributary to it, it's geographical
position with regard to railroad and
ocean transportation; its almost ideal
The herald., 1897-12-26

or contrast to any other buildings.
The home being built for Dr. Leslie E.
Keeley, on the west corner of Adams
and Figueroa streets, is palatial man
sion, hidden away amid the foliage of
large garden The design is early Eng
lish, and in the rear is most irregular In
shape, so that maximum of sunlight
may stream into every room in the house.
The front is of granite, and the broken
roof is shingled. Interiorly the house
Is one that would delight the soul Of the
average woman, for the reason that it
is full of cosy corners and out of-the-
way hooks. In the library there is a
The herald., 1897-12-26

block on Spring between Sixth and Sew
enth streets, died last week and conse-
quently scarcely lived to see his wishes
carried into effect. f. D. Hudson was
the architect of this two-story building,
which has three stores on the ground
floor each 60xS5 feet with basement, and
fifteen rooms on the floor above. The
building cost 900.
The family hotel erected on South Hill
street, between Third and Fourth, by
Mrs. E. Riethmuller, from the design Of
r. B. Young, cost $4,000. 1t is a four
The herald., 1897-12-26

Simultaneous with the real estate
sboom" Of 1887 there was building
sboom'' inaugurated which, however,
differed from it's neighbor in very es-
sential particular. The real estate
s'boom" was essentially a gamble in
mythical values, but the building boom"
was based on actual values and the pros
pective needs Of the community. The
inflated values Of the one being pricked
the speculative bubble burst The other
has developed year by year until at the
close Of the decade the erection of costly
buildings, both as business blocks and
homes, is the rule rather than the ex-
ception and the number OF buildings
either in course Of erection or under con-
temptation above rather than below the
average.
The following tabulated list shows the
record Of the city from the date when
building statistics began to be kept:
July, 1889, to Dec. l. 1889. 1874 permits
The herald., 1897-12-26

the east which are here found happily
combined with the sturdy virility of the
west-all these have combined in max
ing the City Of the Angels known
throughout the east, and In no small de-
gree in Europe.
In the early days the city government
was carried on upon very rigid and what
would nowadays be considered unique
lines. The citizens were enjOined to live
in harmony, to refrain from drunken
ness, gambling and concubinage. The
The herald., 1897-12-26

it in giving distinctive character to the
house. Plastered over metal laths, and
with the mission tiles, the design, IL
carried out, will result in a most beauti-
ful home, and most appropriate to
Southern California.
The residence designed by Morgan &
Walls for William Garland the Arizona
railroad man, at the corner of Bonnie
Brae and Eighth street. forms quite an
imposing feature in the landscape of the
country thereabouts. 1t is a fourteen
room house, built in the latest Tudor
The herald., 1897-12-26

]. Mccarthy. The building is Of pressed
brick and has q frontage of leo feet, a
depth of $50 feet and is three stories in
height. There are four large stores on
Spring street and two facing on Eighth
street, the latter being utilized by the
cavalry and signal corps. On the second
floor is the drill hall, 100X100, the brigade,
regimental and staff headquarters and
the ladies' parlors. The third floor is
taken UP by the gymnasium, baths,
locker rooms, armorers' room and the
quartermaster's and company COM
mander's rooms. In the basement is a
shooting range. Throughout the build
The herald., 1897-12-26
GARDNER & ZE y LINER BLOCK

reading alcove, another nook in the music
room, and in all Of the five rooms on the
first floor and the six rooms above the
outlines of the rooms are strongly broken
by these devices for comfort. The plans
were drawn by r. l.. Roehrig, and are
being excellently we'll carried out.
At the corner Of Coronado street and
Wiltshire boulevard home is being
erected for Judge Sterry Of the Santa Fe
system, and has certain Venetian fea-
lures. The building has green shingled
walls, the front porch and the Venetian
The herald., 1897-12-26

while not admitting Of extended descrlp-
tion is conceded to be in every detail ex-
ceedingly we'll adapted for the purpose
for which it was designed. One point
however, is worthy Of mention. The
third story is used as a carpet room and
a perfectly clear space is essential. In
order to obtain this requisite the archi-
tects carried the larger part of the root
on trusses, thus affording an open floor
space of S0x160 feet. The building cost
$4,000.
]. w. Vandervoort, who erected the
The herald., 1897-12-26

pany. The second floor will contain
twenty-one offices, handsomely ap-
pointed, and the third floor is to be given
UP to a bachelors club and living quar-
ters. The building will cost $22, 900, and
although not yet completed every part of
1t has already been rented.
The fve-story block being erected by
Nelson Story on Spring street, between
Third and Fourth streets, from plans
drawn by Morgan & Wells, has been de-
signed especially for department store.
The herald., 1897-12-26

1t has frontage of 63 feet and depth of
$50 feet. II has been built of pressed
brick over steel frame, the wall parti-
tions being of hollow tile. While the
building can be utilized as one immense
store it will make two stores such as are
known as department stores, of more
than the ordinary size and capacity.
When completed the building will have
cost about $4,000.
At the corner of Eighth street and
Spring has been erected the "Armory"
by J. Copeland, from plans drawn by T.
The herald., 1897-12-26

style. and when completed will have cost
$4,000. The basement is OF
stone, the upper portion of the
house being of pressed brick with stone
trimmings and rooted with Spanish tiles.
The interior is finished in cherry, maple
and oak. and every modern appliance
calculated to add to familys comfort
has been introduced. including steam
heat and electric lighting. The building
stands on lot having $50 feet frontage,
so that the proportions of the structure
are not impaired by too close proximity
The herald., 1897-12-26

throughout will be finished in oak. A
unique feature is to be introduced in the
elevator system by the installing of an
Elithorpe air cushion at the bottom of
pit dug below the basement. If by any
chance the elevator machinery should
refuse to act, and the elevator fall it
would alight on the air cushion and no
harm would accrue to anyone. The
building is to finished by May 1, and will
cost s45,0
The Shannon block on Broadway, be-
tween Third and Fourth, is from plans
drawn by Austin G. Shilling. 1t has a
40-foot frontage, a depth of 10 feet and
The herald., 1897-12-26

contains two handsome stores, with a
lodge room and seven Offices on the floor
above. The building is of pressed brick
on iron supports, with facings of Sespe
stone.
The building in course of erection be-
tween Third and Fourth, on the east side
of Broadway, is being put up by j. NJ.
Gilbert of Buffalo, N. Y, the architects
being Denis & Farrell. 1t will be a three
story structure OF pressed brick. The
immense store on the ground floor, with
the basement, has been designed for the
The herald., 1897-12-26

ing are fixtures for lighting by gas or
electricity, long distance telephone and
also a local service connecting together
all the various departments, as we'll as
speaking tubes. The building cost over
S45, coo.
The erection between Fourth and Fifth
streets, on Spring, was put UP by A.
Harris, from plans drawn by Eisen &,
Hunt, for the especial accommodation
of Niles Pease & Co. The style is of the
renaissance and simple in treatment.
The building is of pressed brick, and
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-08-05

q woman, could no more avoid taking
an inventory Of the attractions of the
young male passengers than the aver
age woman of today can pass a drug
store without desiring ice cream Soda
It Is one of the most inevitable feat
ures Of long voyage that the passen-
gers aboard the vessel become exceed
ipgly well acquainted. The limitations
Of the ship are small and the pass
engers must necessarily see very much
of one another. Therefore it Is not
surprising, inasmuch as Inconsistency is
said to be another name for woman,
that the sweetheart en- route % her
promised husband, finds the COM
ranionship of a handsome prospective
cclonist so fascinating that before the
voyage ends, she has decided to enjoy
it to the fullness thereof as long as
life lasts.
The instances of the sort quoted hap
pened so often that the people per-
teived that something had to be done
about it. The list of the broken hearted
was growing at such tremendous rate
that it actually affected the prosperity
Of the colonies. So the civil and the
clerical dignitaries put their heads to-
gether and arranged plan for mar
riage by proxy. In those days there
were no ocean cables and all messages
had to be transmitted by letter. 1t
was arranged by mail, weeks and
weeks in advance, that at certain
time-difference in time being al
lowed for-the proxy marriage should
take place and Immediately thereafter,
the bride should set sail for the colony
that contained her husband.
Wives are not always above f1irta-
tions and of course flirtations can be
carried to a great distance. But one
thing became certain, the chance of
the would be husband Of getting his
wife at once became hundred per
cent. better. Though the wife some
times was distressed to part from her
fellow voyager, she was in no position
to refuse to do so and tt erefore the
husband got bride, If not always a
willing one.
There was no occasion for any such
fear in this instance. Mr.. Van Trot-
senburg had expected to return to
Holland to be married at a certain
time, but business events tcanspired
which rendered such journey an i'm
possibility. He was in despair until
some one suggested the proxy mar
riage, and then the way seemed
smooth. So it is that Mr. Van Trotsen
burg has his cake and has eaten it too.
He has not neglected his business, but
he has wife who will probably be
with him before these words are print
ed.
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-08-05
THE EXIGENCIES OF ART.
A Masterpiece That Went to Abraham
for Summer Suit.

The pastel which the young artist
made was, he was sure, the best thing
which he had ever done. 1t had a
place OF honor in his little studio down
town in grimy building where the
water never runs and his window glass
is always dusty.
He had devised the color scheme in
a moment of inspiration. The idea
was suggested by the sight of a for
lorn, old Italian woman who had on
her head the most marvellous faded
scarf. He offered all the money he
had for that head-dress, and she
looked at him affrighted and ran away.
So he FASTENED to his studio and with
the memory of sun-beaten silk in his
artistic soul, he dashed the green plush
hangings which he had bought for a
Song, and its rose-like tints seemed
to send back an answering glow. All
else seemed frightened and beautiful
by the presence of the small pastel
Il have made progress" said that ar
fist man. Behold milestone! l
shall keep it as mark by which all
else shall be judged am on the
road to fame"
HUH" said Visigoth who sat in
the window seat.
Then the spring came. The brown
euit which the artist wore began to
grow heavy upon him. He took
thought as to his raiment and then
despaired. The spring suit of the
season before last was almost disin-
tcgrated, for in the grimy old build
ing thieves corrupt and moths break in
and steal.
He sat in his shirt sleeves the other
morning, when there came knock
ing at his studio door, and there en-
tered Abraham, who sells clothes,
Nothing today, old man." said the
artist. Dead broke"
you surprise me" rejoined Abra-
ham, for he deals exclusively with
artists and knows their ways as we'll
as the value of pictures. Have you
any paintings you would like to
trade?"
Abraham, clothier and art critic,
swept the room with his keen eyes.
He unrolled a bolt of cloth and
draped the fabric over his arms.
ut suits you we'll" he said. "It
is superb. You know that l have al
ways fitted you. Thirty-two dollars.
Give me the pastel
The artist has new suit of clothes.
New York Telegram.
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-08-05
DEATH FROM FIRE PAINLESS.
Lethal Sleep Enfolds the Victim Be-
fore the Flame Reaches Him.

Those who lose their lives in con-
suffer physical pain. In many cases,
no doubt, sharp terror is the one thing
of which the victim is conscious, and
in many more, strange as it may seem,
consciousness plays no part, life ceas-
ing painlessly and without a struggle.
In great CONGREGATIONS gases are pro-
duced which have much the same effect
as chloroform or similar anesthetics,
and 1t Is fact that of those who
lose their lives in such catastrophes
considerable proportion pass into
death without any evidence of having
suffered. This result is produced es-
pecially when a fire has smoldered,
when the access of air has at first
been insufficient to cause complete
combustion, and when that deadly gas,
carbonic oxide, has sent it's victims
into lethal sleep before the actual
flames have reached them.
''Of those, however, who have evil
IDENTIFY struggled and fought and whose
charred corpses are afterward found
in attitudes suggestive OF violent
effects made in attempting to escape,
it must not be imagined that they
Rave of necessity been burned alive
and have died in the agony which such
contortions ere popularity imagined to
express.
Death from agony is really death
fl ON shock, a condition in which the
body is limp and helpless; whereas in
death from suffocation struggling may
60 on even after consciousness has
passed. and the strained attitude of
the corpse may be expressive only of
the final paroXysmal effort made in
a state of entire Inconsistencies.
"Suffocation in fire depends on
something more than mere carbonic
acid poisoning. 1t is the stoppage Of
the breathing by the sitting vapors
which does the mischief. Carbonic
acid would doubtless kill if it could
be breathed, but anyone who has at
tempted to enter burning building
will know that suffocation depends not
on the stuff one breathes, but on the
fact that one cannot breathe at all.
The lungs are as much deprived OF
their supply of oxygen as If the suf-
ferer were plunged over head in water,
and the struggle produced is much
the same. While, then, we must ad-
nit the horror of the moment. the
terror, the fight for breath, and finally
the death from suffocation, we must
remember that all this is often
matter of short dur alton, and that 1t
is something very different from the
slow torture OF being burned alive
The Hospital