The San Francisco call., 1898-05-01

Fire Marshal Towe. is at present look
 ing for the man who wired the build ing, and an investigation will probably
 follow. Chief Sullivan was rather sur
 prised at the nearness of the fire and
 consequently worked like a beaver to
 keep the flames from his feather bed,
 which has allowed him many hours of much needed sleep. Luck is the main factor of the blaze, as many smaller fires have resulted in accidents hardly to be thought of.
 In all probability the engine house adjoining the stable where the fire first started will have to undergo improve ments, and the theater next door will remain closed until Monday night.
 Heat has also a faculty for removing Democrats from resting and debating quarters, for at the time the flames broke forth Sam Rainey was deep in the problems of politics, surrounded by anxious admirers, but when the blaze became too strong the meeting ad-; journed sine die It was later rumored that the gathering had met in fire. proof building in the neighborhood, but there was no proof found for the ru- 1.-Jr. I
 However, the parties will meet again. Another rumor or rumors came to light that Spanish spies had endeavored to destroy the army. headquarters in the California Hotel, but many think the heated discussion led by Rainey had considerable to do with the disastrous blaze.
 As soon as the fire was discovered the attaches of the stable immediately be- gan the rescue of the contents of the building. In this they were assisted by a large number of men and boys who volunteered their services. Wagons, buggies; phaetons, surreys and car riages loaded with harness were quickly trundled into the street. The horses were led out on the run and almost be- fore the department had started its streams there was little left in the stable which could be gotten out.
 The grade from the stables to Rear ny street made the running of the ve- hicles to place of safety an easy mat ter, but was also the reason for num- Der of accidents.
 Every one was excited, and when starting from the stable would run as rapidly as possible and when the grade was struck the speed could not be stopped, and many of the men assisting in the work were thrown to the ground and run down by the buggies they were taking out. A number of spectators of the fire who ventured too close to the stable were struck by the unruly vehi- cles and knocked down, but fortunately no one was seriously injured.
 The horses behaved remarkably we'll none of them refusing to leave the building. The fire was confined entirely to the top story so none of the animals got sight of the flames, which account ed for their easy handling.
 After the audience had left the thea ter the house hose was taken from the rear of the stage and attached to the hydrants on each side of the building in the gallery. but they might as we'll have been attached an empty barrel so far as their usefulness was con- cerned, for there was not one drop of water in the hydrantS.
 In the mean time the hose from the engines were playing on the flames from the outside, yet the heat was so great that it burst the two end windows adjoining the theater on 1 the east side and burnt out the win dow sillS.
 Police officers swarmed into the the l ater and made a very careful eXami- | nation of every tier of seats in search | of valuables Several capes, hats and l wraps were found thrown under the seats. all of which found their owners on the stage and about the back en- trance leading into the alleyway.
 While all the confusion was going on, in and about the front of the the ater, Arthur Schearin, the property man, had a gang of men busy remoy- ing trunks and bundles belonging to the theater, and the actors to a place of safety on the outside.