The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1906-04-26
MANY FIREMEN
ARE MISSING
San Francisco Department
Nearly Put Out of Commits
sion by Earthquake.
ONE HOSEMAN WAS KILLED
NO TELLING HOW MANY OTHERS
MET DEATH.

San Francisco, April 25.-The losses
of the fire department are inconsder-
able compared to the great damage
sustained in other departments of the
municipality. AS far as known there
have been but three deaths and one
injured. Early this morning a charred
body was found in the ruins on North
Beach, which may prove TO be that of
another fireman. The apparatus of the
department, while damaged is still in
tact. Nineteen companies, however.
have been put out of commission, and
many of them will be disbauded. AT
a meeting of the fire commissioners
this morning it was reported by Chief
Dougherty that, including the dead and
injured there are about 100 members
of the department missing. 1t is be-
lieved, however, that these men have
been separated from their companies
and will rejOin them s quickly as they
can. In order that the affairs of the
department may be Strengthened out,
orders were sent to each battalion
chief directing that the missing men
be located and ordered to join their
companies. IT is hoped by nightfaI to
have them all accounted for.
Only Two Identified.
Besides Chief Sullivan, the only ideu-
titled dead fireman is James O'Neil, the
hOseman on duty with engine 4, whose
DOQy was IOuQQ DSnSdI0 the ruins OF
the engine house at the corner of How
ard and Third streets. O'Neil was
killed by a falling cOrnice while try
ing to extricate himself from the ruins.
The doors of the engine house were
damned by the shock so that they
could not be opened. O'Nei climbed
to the transOm and was in the act or
leaping to the ground when the corniCe
struck him at the back of the head and
killed him instantly. This morning his
body was buried in Lariel cemetery.
He leaves a wife who for a week has
been searching the city for the absent
husband. She does not know that he
is dead The fire department is max
ing an effort to find her.
Hoseman Badly Hurt.
George Wells, hoseman on duty at
engine u, was seriously injured While
fighting the fire on Friday afternoon.
On Russian hill, he was caught be-
meath the falling rafters of the demoi-
ished buildings and his leg badly
crushed. At the Aicatraz hospital his
leg was amputated this morning.
At the present time the commission
ers are devOting their attention to &C
quiring the department for the prOtec-
ton of the Unburned section of the
city. The alarm system is wrecked and
it will be some time before it can be
placed in order. In the meantime men
houses and at the first indication of
fire the engines are turned Our The
department is still badly handicapped
for water. and until the mains are re-
established no effective work can DC,
done
Department Lacks Funds.
Secretary McCarty says it Will be i'm
possible to carry the full personnel of
the department because neither the
funds nor the work is sufficient to war
rant ii. The commissioners will en-
deavOr, however, to have those who are
dropped appointed special policemen
with the understanding that they may
be recalled when the necessity arises
It is understood that the police de-
partment will be increased as soon as
the military forces are withdrawn. In
that event it will be necessary to have
civil service eligibles and it is hoped
that an arrangement can be made
whereby f1remen who have already
qualified may be assigned to police
duty.