The herald., 1898-11-25
enough to permit workmen to go ahei
with the contract.
PLANS FOR THE FUTURE


The disposition of the site of the old Bald
win is an interesting one, and there are doz-
ems of rumors connecting different capitalists
and concerns with the erection OF a structure
to cover the razed hotel and the popular
Baldwin theater. The Hibernia bank holds
a 5000, 900 mortgage on the premises, and it
is believed this concern will put up mag
nificent hotel and theater. Another rumor
says that the Southern Pacific will do the
same thing, and that arrangements are al
ready being made to this end. j. D. Spreck-
els, already the owner of one of the hand
soonest buildings in this city and the high
est on the Pacific coast, is said I'd have his
heart fixed on another sky-scraper, to be
even more beautiful than the one already
bearing his name. James D. Phelan, mayor
of the city and multi millionaire, already the
possessor of gigantic structure further up
Market street, is mentioned as being desir-
GUS of identifying the city with an ediiice
erected over the grave of the old Baldwin.
And so the rumors keep flying, but where
they will end time only can tell. 1t is GER
tain, however, that building of more than
usual size and beauty will be erected as a
monument to the Baldwin.
SCENES AND INCIDENTS
The fire department now believes the
flames originated in the hotel kitchen, but
the police are convinced that they started
in the rear of the Baldwin Theater. There
were many narrow escapes from death and
the marvel is how the many guests of the
hotel succeeded in escaping within the short
time afforded them, as the spread of the
flames was remarkably rapid.
A. H. Christie of Milwaukee was rescued
from a perilous position on the roof by
Fireman Ed Kehoe. When rescued Mr..
Christie had razor in his hand, with the
determination to kill himself rather than
plunge into the seething flames that ragged
beneath him.
w. A. Ballard, a merchant of Scranton.
Pa, was bereft of all his clothes and papers.
Aaron B!umenthal, Jos. Summertield,
bookmakers, who registered from Chicago,
occupied rooms on the fifth floor almost
over the Powell street entrance. Both of
them escaped in their pa ajamas and are glad
to be alive.
Royal Scott, who represents Marshal Field
u Co. of Chicago, was awakened as soon as
the alarm sounded through the house and
dressed and escaped. He returned within
few minutes to secure some of his belong
ings, but was driven back by the dense
smoke.
Immigration Commissioner VIM. Rice of
Victoria, B. C., who had room on the fourth
floor of the hotel, had very close call but
succeeded in reaching the street in safety
The entire scenic and mechanical effects
and wardrobe of the "Secret Service com.
pany were destroyed by the fire. Manager
Robert NJ. Eberle estimates the loss at $4,000.
Mr.. Gillette will take the California Theater
Monday evening and play out his engage
ment here
At least one woman is reported to have
met frightful death in the flames Martin
Finberg, clerk, says:
81 was standing at the corner of Powell
and Eddy streets when saw woman appear
at window in the cupola soon after Cap
tain White had met death. She was clad
only in her night garments and her hair hung
loose around her shoulders. Suddenly the
| girl threw up her hands in fright and fell
| back and | am certain she must have per-
| ished."
| Mrs. Della Mahoney, widow of the late
Senator Mahoney, and her daughter, Miss
! Marie Mahoney, had rooms on the third
floor. The noise on the street awakened them
and with couple of sealskin jackets they
made their escape by one of the side exits.
When Mrs. Mahoney reached the street she
decided to return to save a portrait of her
husband. Policeman Mcnamara followed
her and persuaded her to leave the room
only few minutes before the walls began to
crack
Z. j. Baldwin said today that the fire
meant a loss to him of about 50, SOC, 900, as
he had expended that amount in building.
altering and furnishing the hotel E;re Nov
shal Towne declares that the structure was
death trap and says that no such fimsy
structure shall again be erected in the heart
of the city