The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1908-11-21
SAVED BY THE FLAG.

VI Odu AAouSAoSOb tASA~ oSohAo ~ NAS@J
a house, which, in the greatest fire of
modern times, was saved from the
flames by the flag. When over four
hundred blocks of buildings lay in
smoking ruins, this house was the
only one left standing unconsumed
along the east side of the full length
of Taylor street-a distance of twen-
ty.eight blocks, nearly two full miles.
At the time of the earthquake and
fire, April rs. 1906, Mrs. Brindley, a
daughter of Mr.. Sheppard, was there
awaiting the arrival of her husband
to take steamer for Japan. She had
long resided in that country, and had
had earthquake experience" so to
speak. Accordingly, as soon as the
earth had ceased trembling, she pro-
ceeded to fill the bathtubs and all 9TH
er receptacles in the house with wa
ter. She feared that the disturbance
of the earth had broken the supply
mains; and hardly had she filled the
last pitcher when her fear was proved
we'll grounded. The water ceased to
flow. But the first step that made it
possible for the flag to save the house
had been taken. Mr.. Sheppard and
Mr.. Dakin took the second step. In
order that the household might have
a supply of drinking water, they
brought home from a neighboring
grocery a dozen or SO bottles charged
with carbonic acid gas-the kind of
bottles where you press lever at the
top, and the water fizzles out in a
stream under pressure. They are
commonly called "siphons."
At this time no one thought the
house in danger. 1t had sturdily
withstood the earthquake; and the
fire was many blocks away. But all
Wednesday and Wednesday night
and all Of Thursday the fire ragged in
fury and at last it came creeping up
the slope of Russian Hill. The flames
reached the block in which the house
was situated. The heat grewintense.
The sides of the house sent forth
smoke. The veranda on the east
broke into flames, and the under side
of the caves on the north and east
kindled to blaze.
Mr.. Sheppard and his family had
taken one last look at their home
with its treasures, and had sought
refuge with friends across the bay.
Mr.. Dakin had stayed to the last,
hoping against hope. But all hope
was gone. The house was burning
and he was warned away. He de-
termined to hoist his largest Ameri.
can flag and let the house meet de-
struction with the colors flying fair
above it. He rushed to his room OF
flags, selected his largest Stars and
Stripes, mounted to the roof, attached
the great flag to the halyards, and
flung it to the breeze. Then, with a
feeling somewhat akin to respect for
the conquering power of the great
fire king, roaring forward in irresist-
ible ruin, and with spirit somewhat
akin to the conquerable pluck that
stirred the breasts of his comrades in
the days of the Civil War he dipped
the flag in salute. Three times the
glorious banner rose and fell; and
then fastening the halyards, Mr.. OAK
in descended the stairs, locked the
door, and with heavy heart left
the house to its fate. High in the
air, shining bright in the light of the
sun and flames, above the house oi
pines that had grown by the shores
of the Atlantic streaming forth on a
breeze that came fresh from the Pa
cifc, stood "Old Glory"
The white stars upon that flag were
there as symbols of the States of the
Union. One star was there for Cali
fornia and one was there for Georgia
but three blocks away, to the east
ward, at the corner of Vallejo street
and Montgomery avenue, at that mo
ment, there chanced to be company
of men who represented all the star.
on that flags field of blue-a com
pany of the Twentieth United States
Infantry.
Under the command of youns
lieutenant, the company had been OF
its way to San Francisco on the dal
of the earthquake, and had been de
layed on its journey twenty-fou
hours. 1t had entered the city Thurs
day afternoon by the ferry from Oak
land, and was at that moment march
ing under orders to go into camp a
Washington square. The lieutenan
and his men had seen the flag ris
and fall in salute; and saw it now a
it streamed forth in its beauty amids
smoke and fame.
"Boys," shouted the young lieuten
ant, "a house that flies a flag lik
that is worth saving |" His men re
sponded with a cheer and as MI
Dakin was sadly vending his wa
down the northern slope of Russial
Hill, soldiers of the Twentieth Unite
States Infantry were dashing up th
eastern slope at double-quick. N
time was lost. They tore away tn
burning woodwork of the vcrands
broke open the doors and discovere
the bathtubs filled with water. Som
of them carried earth from the garder
others mixed it in the bathtubs to th
consistency of wet plaster, and the
certain oftheir number stationed then
selves at the different windows, an
as the wet mud was carried to thel
they bombarded every spot that ha
kindled into fame.
One by one the houses in the bloc
burned up and burned out, until II
old house stood alone. Every bla;
that had started upon its caves ar
sides had been extinguished save on
There was one spot under the eav'