Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-04-19

I a. mat the present time the !
! flames have spread from the bust
! ness to the residence district and !
! it seems the whole city is doomed.
Several large buildings were blown !
J up with dynamite, but even this J
! heroic action was not sufficient to !
! stay the spread of the flames.
J Federal troops are on duty as !
sisting the police, and have orders !
J to shoot anyone found looting.
g. -ss-s-S-s-s-s-s-e-s-s-s-s-s-s
Call editorial and mechanical departments
we're totally destroyed in a few minutes.
sprecIxeIs building Destroyed.
The flames leaped across Stevenson street
toward the fine ifteen-story stone and
iron Claus Spreckels building, which with
its lofty dome is the most notable edifce
in San Francisco. Two small wooden build
ings furnished fuel to ignite the splendid
pile Thousands of people watched the
hungry tongues of flame licking the stone
walls At first no impression was made,
but suddenly there was cracking of glass
and an entrance was effected. The interior
furnishings of the fourth floor were the
first to GO Then as " by magic smoke
issued from the top of the dome. This
was followed by a most spectacular illum-
ination. The round windows of the dome
shone like so many full moons; they burst
and gave vent to long waving streamers
Of flame. The great structure, which had
withstood the forces of the earthquake
appeared doomed to fall a prey to fire
After while the light grew less intense
and the flames, having nothing more to
consume, went out, leaving the building
standing, but completely gutted.
The Palace hotel, the rear of which was
| constantly threatened, was the scene of
much excitement. the guests leaving in
! haste, many with only the clothing they
wore. Finding that the hotel, being sur
rounded on all sides by streets, was likely
to remain immune. many returned and
made arrangements for the removal OF their
belongings, though little could be taken
away owing to the utter absence Of trans
portation facilities
| Army Headquarters Burn.
The Parrot building. in which were To-
Gated the chambers of the state supreme
| court, the lower floors being devoted to an
| immense department store. was ruined, but
its massive walls were not all destroyed.
a little further down Market street the
Academy of Sciences and the Jennie Flood
building and the History building burned
like SO much tinder. Sparks carried across
the wide street. ignited the Phelan build
ing and the army headquarters of the De-
partment of California were burned
stu nearing the bay, the waters Of which
did the firemen good service, along the
docks, the fire took the Rlalto building, a
handsome skyscraper. and converted scores
of solid business blocks into smouldering
piles of bricks
Banks and commercial houses, supposed
TO be fireproOf though not of modern build
burned quickly and the roar OF the flames
could be heard even on the hills which
were out Of the danger zone. Here many
thousands OF people congregated and wit
messed the awful scene. Great masses of
flame rose high in the heavens or rushed
down some narrow street joining midway
between the sidewalks and making a hori-
zontal chimney of the former ways.
The dense smoke that arose from the en-
tire business district spread out like an
immense funnel and could have been seen
for miles out at sea. Occasionally as some
drug house or place stored with chemicals
was reached, most fantastic effects were
produced by the colored flames and smoke
which rolled out against the darker back
ground.
A finance committee with James d. Phe-
Ian at the head was appointed and Mayor
schmitz was instructed to issue drafts for
all needs on this committee.
A general meeting OF the citizens COM
mittee has been called for 10 O'Clock to-
morrow morning.
Outside Aid Needed.
II is probable that even with the spirit
and willingness shown by San Francisco
people outside aid will be necessary. A
message from President Roosevelt was re-
ceived this morning ana it had a cheering
effect. George Gould also telegraphed
Offering assistance. The burned district ex-
tends from the waterfront south OF Market
street 10 Market street and west 70 Elev.
enth street. north OF Market. The nrs ex-