The San Francisco call., 1906-06-18
CURIOUS SURVIVOR
SOUTH OF
MARKET ST.
~

One of the few buildings that es-
capped destruction in the fire is the
three-story structure at the northwest
corner of Second and Mission streets.
Although in the heart of the burned
district south of Market street, the
structure escaped damage either by
earthquake or fire. J. W. Burdette,
the attorney, who owns it, did not
know for four days after the fire that
his property was still standing. He
felt certain that his place could not
have braved the great confiagration
and did not attempt to get near it.
The eleven-story Atlas building next
door burned for nine stories and fire
gutted every building around Bur-
dettes. but the little place stood firm,
untouched by either of the great forces
that laid waste the greater part of
the city.
Charles Corey, former Superior
Court clerk and proprietor of the
saloon which occupied the ground
floor of the building, is elated over
his luck. When the earthquake came
nothing in the saloon was broken save
one small chartreuse glass. None of
the glassware on the bar fixtures fell.
Huge jardinieres sitting in precarious
positions did not move fraction of an
inch. The whole building, inside and
out, was practically undamaged by the
shake. The Western Union observa-
tory clock did not stop running. The
secret of this lies in the foundation.
When Burdette built the structure he
had plans drawn for twelve-story
building. But only three stories were
erected on the twelve-story founda-
ton.
Corey went to his place on the
morning of the fire. He could see
nothing but destruction coming his
way. He gathered his books together
and carried them to the California
Market for safe deposit. He stood
and watched the fire until driven away
by the soldiers. He saw the awning
and sign in front of his establishment
burn. Everything around the little
building burned. The Wells Fargo
but the fates were with Corey His
books, however, burned in the Cali
fornia Market. When the fire died
out in that part of town Corey's saloon
was not even warm. The upper floors
of the building were occupied by the
A. S. Keeler Company, hardware mer-
chants. The contents of saloon and
store above came safely through the
fire.
Mr. Burdette said yesterday:
walked in from Baden On the first
morning of the fire, and then had to
skirt the entire water front and come
down Kearny street to get near my Of
fees in The Call building. / saw The
Call building burn. watched the flames
finally seize the Palace, and then hung
around while they made their way up
Market street. l knew that my little
building at Second and Mission streets
had gone up hours before and l did not
attempt to get near it.
-Four days later l again walked in to
San Francisco and skirted the water
front to see if the foundations Of my
building were saved / intended TO re-
build at once. When 1 reached Howard
street 1 saw that the walls were still
standing. That's funny" / thought
A minute later and could see the glass
unbroken in the windows.
Funny how the building could be
gutted and the glass remain perfect
came TO my mind, for | never once
thought the building could be unharIn-
ed in the midst of the havoc about it
Then l realized for the first time that
my little building had escaped unhurt
from the earthquake and confederation
II saw 1t standing erect amidst acres OF
ruins scrowd was standing in front
looking at it. He's a lucky fellow tha,
owns that" said one. 1 was still toe
and / was still dazed when I left But
it was there. 1 was not dreaming Ny
little building was there alive and well
The flames seemed to pass over
the building, damaging the roof alone
The heavy walls kept off the flame,
and the heat The building is worth
about $4,000 and is insured fol
800