Weekly Arizona journal-miner. [volume] (Prescott, Ariz.) 1903-1908, 1906-05-23
Hilarious Scene On The
Curb of the Mint
Building
Clyde H. Tavenner Tells
Of Orgies AT The
Big Fire
(By Clyde II. Tavenner.)


SAN FRANCISCO, May 2o-"Good.
bye, old Frisco. You gave mo many
a pleasant evening, and I'm sorry to
sec you 60. But we'vc all got to CO.
so here's looking at you. Health 10
you"
While the heavens glowcd red from
the burning Of San Francisco on the
morning Of April IS, and the earth
shook and cindcrs and smoke filed
tho air, and brave men feared lest
the end Of the earth had come, two hun.
drcd hslf-intoxicated men and women
Of the night fed from the dens Of
the fendcrloin, and gathering on the
broad sweep Of stone steps at the Unit.
cd States mint, drunk to the health Of
the doomed city.
With the first appearance Of the
flames in that section where tho red
light cleaned, and the sound Of carly
morning carousal broke tho peace Of
the night, the sirens who filed tho nu.
mcrous lodging houses in tho vicinity
began to gather in the street. Some
carried jewel boxes, some bird cages,
some spring hats that had just como
from the milliners. Nearly everyone,
with that feminine variety which pro.
badly grows greater instead Of less
with vice, was painted and dressed in
her gaudiest fncry. They had had
plenty Of time TO 60 back to their
rooms after the quake, and don fine
raimcnt, and even the terror that was
creeping over them as tho flames grew
nearer could not deter thom from
making up" TO win such admiration
as they might.
Out in tho street the tcrgorized wo.
men gazed up at fame and building,
not knowing but that another quake
would send brick and stone TO hurl the
death the fire could not bring thcm.
They ran about on Mason, Powell,
and Eddy streets, elutching at those
thoy knew and asking aifrightsd ques-
lions. They knew Of no refuge. Where
were their friends Of whom they could
ask shelter In the unburned district
Why they did so, no one could say,
but some Of the women wandered down
Fifth street to the Mint. They halted
and sat on tho magnificent broad stair.
ways that gave ample resting ground.
Others came. Dissolute males who
had gained their living from the fallen
women followed doggcdly. Word got
out that the tenderloin was gathering
on the Mint steps. From Mason and
Ellis and other streets the exodus 20 |
the government building became gen.
eral. The steps soon b, cHmg crowded. |
and late comers sat on tho sidewalk, or |
paced up and down the street. II look.
I'd ss II b great crowd had gathered At
an amphithcater for baud concert.
Above in the heavens there was the
reflection Of the flames. The roar OF
the fire ss It tore its way up town nj.
most drowned the babel Of voices on
The mint steps.
Some OF the women screcched in hys.
iefieal excitement, some were silent and
pale. Shouts that the world was
coming to an end were raised by some
II the more ignorant. Some prayed
md called on God, as vice always does.
when death looks in on its rcvcling and
freezes it's blood.
Then the scene cnlvened. A wagon
'ame dashing along, bearing % tho
'front.' seat with the driver, a man
'nown to everyone of the crowd nj
he mint Ne was the proprietor Of a
cafe where they had all rev.
He'd many night. The wagon was
tocked with champagncs and other fine
'quoss lie was trying to save his
tTh Hl 'Fie |.
Yhe load never get fprthss. Men and
yomen surged around IL and snatchcd
pit bottiefs 40, soon lthp stipulants
yere flowing down patched throats as
ne bottles I'D. alons Ssssensh the
!snwll (. ...... "fi
,yfe RcsssTengsss were sent to all "a.