The San Francisco call., 1906-05-01
CdreleSSneSS OF Soldiers
Makes Wreck Of SeV-
erdl Buildings.
Too Heavy d Charge OF
Powder Cause Of
Havoc.
Destruction STAYED by a
Timely Order Of
Mayor.

Ignorance Of the effect Of exploding
dynamite was the cause Of the wreck
ing Of eight fine residences on Post,
Bush and Franklin streets and Van
Ness avenue yesterday morning Sol
diers engaged in blowing down the
menacing walls of the Marie Antoi-
nette Hotel at Bush and Franklin
streets and those of the fashionable
Concordia Club building On the south
east corner of Post street and Van
Ness avenue used too much powder
and with disastrous results.
Because Of this blunder windows
were blown into the rooms, the plas-
tering stripped from the laths, and
umbers hurled from the roofs and
sides of several dwellings in the Eicin-
ity. Windows were broken in other
residences more remote. and the in
habitants of the neighborhood were
thrown into a panic
Complaint was made 10 Mayor
Schmitz, and after hearing the facts
the latter dispatched Chief of Police
Dinan TO the military headquarters
wlth instructions 70 cease blasting
walls in the vicinity Of residences until
further notice The Mayors request
was needed. and there was No more
cause for alarm during the remainder
OF the day.
MUCH DAMAGE DONE.
One of the most badly damaged
dwellings was that at No 1912 Bush
street. owned by the mother Of Mrs.
Frank Schmitz, whose husband is a
brother Of the Mayor Much a. lage
was done also TO the building and gro
cery of A. Krom on the northeast cor
ner Of Franklin and Bush streets Glass
5ars and bottles containing jellies,
jams. mustard, pickles and other deli
cacies were strewn upon the floor and
shattered. Several ether houses fac
ing on Franklin street w-re also more
OF less injured by the explosions.
Heavy charges of powder were used
also In telling the unsupported walls
of st. Dunstan's Hotel on the corner
of Van Ness avenue and Sutter
streets. and those Of the Concordia
Club. a block farther south on the
same side of the avenue. Fortunately
there was a large area of vacant
ground opposite st. Dunstan's and no
evil effects followed the blasting there.
but the charge that prostrated the
thick front walls of the Concordia Club
building wrecked four fine dwellings
directly across the avenue.
HOUSES ARE RUINED.
These were each Of two stories and
basement and with bay windows orna-
mented with expensive millwork. One
was occupied by DR.. Mason and an
other by DR.. Goodban. These build
ings were so badly mutila1ed that it
win probably be necessary to rebuild
them. Boards were torn from the
front underneath the caves, the win
dows destroyed and the plaster
knocked down in every ON.
The two dwellings south of these
Jared as badly Express wagons were
sent for. and the frightened occupants
removed their furniture in hurry.
On Post street around the corner all
the windows in two large dwellings
on opposite sides of the street were
broken.
Among the more threatening struc-
lures that still remain undynamited in
the ruins is the leaning tower of the
Hall of Justice that hangs over Kearny
street. Although the dynamiting is
abating it will be imperative to blow
up the tower as the work of rigging
tackle to it would prove too perilous
TO be attempted.
HEUER IN CHARGE.
By request of Colonel Heuer, United
States Engineer Corps, the duty of
conducting further dynamiting opera
tons has been assigned to Captain
William w. Harts, who is pronounced
one of the best men in the service. He
had control of the submarine explo-
sives at Jacksonville. Florida. during
our picnic with Spain. and his work
Won high commendation.
CaptA4I. Heuer reported to Mayor
Schmftz last evening. and at IL o'clock
this morning he win. receive instruc-
lions from the city's executive. 1t is
understood. however, that where blast
ing can possibly be dispensed with it
shall not again be employed. Donkey
engines and steel cables can work
with almost equal efficiency and less
hFT1I