The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1908-10-08

At 1854 Taylor street, in the city
Of San Francisco, there stands to-day
q 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 IS, 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
other receptacles in the house with
water. She feared that the dis
turbance 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 1t possible for the flag
to save the house had been taken.
Mr.. Sheppard and Mr.. Dakin took the
second step. In order that the house.
hold might have a supply of drink
ing water, they brought home from q
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 fizzes 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 1t came creeping up the
slope of Russian HILL The flames
reached the block in which the house
was situated. The heat grew intense.
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 Amer
lean flag and let the house meet de-
struction with the colors flying fair
above it. He rushed to his room of
hags, selected his largest Stars and
Stripes, mounted to the roof, at
tached the great flag to the Lalyards,
and flung 1t to the breeze. Then,
with feeling somewhat akin to re-
spect for the conquering power of the
great fire king, roaring forward in ir-
resistible ruin. and with a spirit
somewhat akin to the uncomfortable
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 hal
yards, Mr.. Dakin desceneded the
stairs, locked the door, and with a
heavy heart left the house to its
fate. High in the air, shining bright
IN the light of sun and flames, above
the house of pines that had grown
by the shores of the Atlantic, stream
ing forth on breeze that came fresh
from the Pacific, 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
Iornia and one was there for Georgia; !;
out three blocks away, to the east
ward, at the corner of Vallejo street
and Montgomery avenue, at that mo-
ment, there chanced to be a company
OF men who represented all the stars
on that flags field of blue-a COM
pany of the Twentieth United States
Infantry.
Under the command of a young
lieutenant, the company had been on
its way to San Francisco on the day
Oh the earthquake, and had been de-
iayed on its journey twenty-four
nours. 1t had entered the city Thurs.
uay afternoon by the ferry from Oak.
iand, and was at that moment march
ing under orders to go into camp at
washington square. The lieutenant
and his men had seen the flag rise
and rall In salute; and saw 1t now as
streamed forth In Its beauty amidst
smoke and flame.
Boys" shouted the young lieuten-
ant "a house that flies flag like that
Is worth sayingl" His men responded
Win cheer; and as Mr.. Dakin was
sadly vending his way down the
northern slope OF Russian Hill, sol.
ulers OF the Twentieth United States
tniantry were dashing up the eastern
Siope at double-quick. No time was
LOST They tore away the b1rnine
woodwork OF the veranda. broke opcn
sne doors and discovered the bath.
saDs nlled with water. Some OF them
aIrled earth from the garden, Others
lAed 1t in the bathtubs to the con.
s'ency OF wet plaster. and then GER
am OF their number stationed them,
ss'ves at the different windows, and
ne wet mud was carried to then