The herald., 1898-02-19
fIRE IN THE WARD BLOCK
PROMPT ACTION OF THE DEPART
MENT PREVENTS BIG LOSS
To Preserve the Mountain Forests.
Meetings of Societies-Social
Events and Personals

q, "~<->
morning at 7:SO o'clock did considerable
damage to the Ward block on the south
west corner of Fair Oaks avenue and Col
orado street, in the heart of the city. The
fire is supposed to have started from
defective fue or from a sparks alighting
on the roof. The fire department turned
out very promptly and kept the fire with
in bounds until it was entirely extin-
guished The hose burst at one time, but
was quickly repaired The recently ap-
pointed fire marshals, composed or insur-
ance agents, did good work In Keeping
back the crowd. The damage was largely
done by water. The loss is estimated at
something under $500. Mr.. Vasilu, the con-
fectioner, suffered considerable damage
to his store by water. The building belongs
to the Ward estate, of which Victor Ward
is the heir. The building was formerly the
Grand hotel, and was erected about nfteen
or more years ago, being one of the nrst
large buildings in the city. 1t has long
been looked upon with disfavor, the fear
having been that If fire once got started
the entire block bounded by Colorado and
Green streets, Fair Oaks avenue and Mills
alley would be in danger. Wotkyns Bros
have the insurance.
FIRE-PROOF PINES
A movement is on foot to plant the burnt
district of the mountains north or town
with pinus tuberculata, kind of fire
proof pine, which grows very rapidly in
any sort of soil. About 900 acres of
mountain timber were devastated year
ago by mountain fires. AS this district
covers the watershed which supplies the
water supply of the valley in major part,
the project of planting it is momentous
one. Hon. T. p. Lukens of this city, j. A.
Muir, the Arctic traveller, and others have
I.ai., .i,,;.~ hat IL n
A number of prominent people of this Sec
ton will, therefore, urge the government
to plant the kind of tree named. This tree
grows in San Bernardino county, and the
fact that it is nearly fire-proof has been
twice demonstrated, when fire was turned
back by the tree.
MEETINGS
The Academy of Sciences met this even
ing in the East hall of Throop, with very
good attendance. There was a short busi-
ness meeting. The program consisted of
a discussion on construction and ability of
animals, led by Prof. c. f. Holder, who
told how fishes built their nests. F. S.
Daggett spoke of insects and described
how the trapdoor spider builds its home.
Prof. Fall and Prof Grinnell spoke of
beetles and birds respectively.
Prof. Ernest B. Hoag of the biological
department of Throop spoke this afternoon
ists,' treating particularly with Darwin
and his life. Prof. Hoag said that Darwin
was not the originator of the theory of
evolution. All he did was to explain evo-
luton by the theory of natural selection.
Prof. Dickinson made some interesting re-
marks upon the same subject, stating that
evolution should not disagree with Chris
tianity. There was very good attend
ance.
The w. c. T. u. held a meeting this after
noon in the Christian church, at which the
subject was Narcotics" The meeting was
in the interest of the children, many of
whom are in danger from the use of cigar
cites. The program included devotional
exercises.
The Presbyterian Sunday school held the
regular monthly social this evening in the
Y. NJ. C. A. rooms. There was good at
tendance of young people and, besides a
good program, there were refreshments.
SOCIAL EVENTS
Mr.. and Mrs. George w. Stimson enter
tanned with cards last evening at their
home on South Orange Grove avenue.
Mrs. Dudley Watson, Mrs. Pliny Watson
and Miss Watson gave an elaborate recep-
tion yesterday afternoon at their handsome
home on Grand avenue in honor of their
guest Mrs. Foster. The rooms were very
prettily decorated.
Mrs. H. G. Bennett of South Orange
Grove avenue entertained the ladies of the
Nineteenth Century club and the Monday
Afternoon club yesterday. A paper was
read on THE Women Art Students of
Julian's in Paris by Miss Crocker.
The Sans Souci club was entertained
yesterday afternoon by Mrs. ]. B. Miller,
jr., at her home on Grand avenue. Pro-
gressive euchre was played. Mrs. Andrew
McNally won first prize, Mrs. r. l. Rogers
second, Mrs. Z. r. Hull lone hand. Mrs.
Rogers will entertain the club next Thurs
day at her home on Bellefontaine drive.
The guests of the Hotel Green enjoyed
progressive euchre last evening, seven
tables being arranged. Mrs. Beals won
first prize and prizes were also won by
Mrs. Hines, Mrs. Auton, Mr.. Reid and
Mrs. Rhodes.
NOTES
At the meeting of the board of trade
this morning arrangements were per-
fected for the banquet to be given at the
Carleton hotel on the evening of February
2lst. Theodore Coleman was unanimously
elected POSTMASTER and subjects were ar
signed.
Several boxes of work from the art,
sloyd, iron, machine and wood depart
ments of Throop will go down to Los An
geles by electric car tomorrow for eXhi-
bition in the windows of Hawley, King &
Co. and in the window of the Broadway
pdHh. ne ekDlDll Will remain III lneSe
windows about a month, when it will be
transferred TO other windows in Los An
geles.
G. l.. Hord was arrested today by Of
ficer Reynolds for drunkenness and dis
orderly conduct. Hord has been begging
old clothes from persons about town and
is generally known as an undesirable citi-
zen.
Deputy Tax Collector Kellogg was rid
ing down Colorado street today when in
attempting to get by vehicle he slipped
and fell. He hurt his arm considerably.
though no bones We're broken.
Personal.
A dispatch from Rev. Culver of this city,
who was in a railway wreck near Kramer,
announces that he was not hurt.
Mrs. j. Il. Narrick left for San Francisco
today.
Charles Pearson of North Delacey street
is down with scarlet fever.
Miss Krape left today for an indefinite
stay at Santa Barbara
Mrs. Nettie Thompson of Santa Monica
is visiting Pasadena friends.
r. Williams has returned from Encin-
itas.
Mrs. 4. e. Ladd left for her home in
Santa Monica today.
WORK OF THE COURTS
Another MiSfit ,Turu Coma Juco,, =, -. -