Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-04-21

SAN FRANCISCO, April 2O-Plunged into
absolute darkness tonight at 10 O'Clock San
Francisco has not seen the conclusion Of
tho devastating work Of the coniagration.
The fire that started at Mob hill and
worked its way to the North Beach section.
sweeping It clean of buildings, was later
veered around by a fierce wind and made its
way southerly to the immense sea wall
sheds and grain warehouses. The flames
were heading directly for the immense ferry
building, the terminal point of all central,
overland and local trains Of the Southern
Pacific road.
The darkness and the wind. which at
times amounted TO a gale. added fresh ter
rors to the situation. The authorities con-
sidered conditions so grave that It was de-
cided to swear In Immediately 10000 special
policemen, armed with rifles furnished by
the federal government. In addition to this
force. companies Of national guards arrived
from many interior points. 1t was reported
tonight that number of men had been
shot and killed while trying to work their
way into the ruins of the subtreasury ON
Commercial street. Two Chinese were shot
and killed on Market street for refusing
to obey orders of the soldiery.
Six hundred laborers from the ocean shore
arrived tonight to look after the city's
sewers to prevent an epidemic, and the
united railways commenced their efforts 10
clean up some Of the streets.
Reports-of babes being born in the ref
ugee camps were frequently received. Five
women became mothers in Golden Gate
park Tonight the main remaining fire was
confined to east of Van Ness avenue and
north of Union street, but ives burning its
way to the shore.
Late this afternoon the police broke open
every saloon and corner grocery in the
saved districts and poured all malt and
spirituous liquors into the cutters.
Optimistic Afternoon Report.
SAN FRANCISCO, April 90 p. m.-The
fire is now positively stated to be under
control, with the probability that one
quarter of the city lying west of Franklin
street and known as the Western addition,
northward TO the Preside. will be saved.
Tho stand made at Van Ness avenue was
generally successful. the flames crossing
that avenue to the west in but few places.
The strongest fire at noon today was
toward North Beach, east of Van Ness
avenue, but will be controlled.
San Francisco's darkest hour has dawned
into day Of hope Its time of overwhelm-
ing disaster and peril has ended ana its
future is now a subject of general consider
alton.
The fre is practically under control A
clear sky over the Mission district shows
that the fire there has been extinguished.
The spread of the flames toward the west
ern addition. the best part of the city re
mainlng has been stayed and the only por-
ton OF the connagration that demands the
attention Of the hremen Is that extending
from the Mob hill section down to the
northwestern part Of the water front
The western addition danger was averted
1t 3:SO O'Clock this morning by the use of
gun cotton. dynamite and two streams OF
water. The explosives were handled by the
chief gunner of the Mare Island navy yard
and his accomplishment proved him to be a
master OF his profession.
The work of relief was started early
today. A big bakery in the saved district
started this morning and $1,000 loaves will
be baked before night. Thousands were in
line this morning before the California
street bakery. The police and military
we're present in force and each person was
allowed only one loaf. The homeless peo.
pie in the parks ana vacant lots will be
provided for today as speedily as possible
suffering IndeseFibabIe.
The destitution and suffering is indescrib
able. Women and children who had com
Portable. happy homes few days ago slep
last night-if sleep came at alton hay OF
the wharves. In the sand lots near Nortl
Beach. some Of them under the little tent
made Of sheeting which poorly protecteC
them from the chilling ocean winds. Thos
people in the parks are positively bette
provided ia the matter OF shelter for the!
left their homes better prepared. Instruc
tions were issued by Mayor sohmitz toda.
TO break open every store containing pro
visions and 70 distribute them to the thou
sands, under police supervision. The Youn
Mems Hebrew associations hall. nea
Golden Gate park, has been stocked wit
provisions for the use OF the needy victims
When asked for statements by the Asso
clated Press the mayor expressed himse
as thankful thar the hre was PRACTICAL
controlled. chief Dinan said that the orde
OF the city astonished him. He thought
due TO earlier severe measures taken b