The San Francisco call., 1908-11-29

that first started them on the road TO
fame, and he will respond with two
words, uttered perhaps with wet eyes.
For IL is a name TO conjure with, this
one written on the hearts of the
students OF the art institute, as the
word Calais was said to be written
on the heart of a gracious and
kindly queen. and in nothing did the
managers of the association show more
judgment and wisdom than in electing
the beloved capable and eminent Vir-
gil Williams as director of the school
Of design which position he retained
until his sudden death on his St. Helena
ranch where he had spent his summer
vacation. making his term of service in
the interests of art in San Francisco
some l3 years.
An interesting incident in connec-
ton with the bronze bust and accom-
panying tablet to be seen in the rooms
Of the art institute today Is told of
the time of the fire of 1906. After the
destruction OF the fine old building
statuary, casts, carpets and furniture,
which had been carried out by the
workers intent on saving whatever
they could. lay unguarded on the pave
ment until the fire had burned itself
out burning telegraph pole fell
across and burned in two a great Turk
ish rug lying rolled up on the ground.
The separate parts now carpet the
new offices Of the school. This carpet
escaped destruction, being left to the
viii Of the flames but many other val
uabie and precious objects were car
ried in haste TO the cellars of the
Flood mansion near by. where il was
thought that they might be safe till
the fury of the fire had died away
The officer of the guard was appealed
TO Tor help at this time. and soldiers
and men in the street were sent into
the galleries to remove everything to
the front Of the house. Pictures were
carried to the lawn. laid on the grass.
cut from stretchers and made into
rolls. Members OF the militia and state
university students were given tbe
rolls 20 carry anywhere, anyhow to
safety Less portable things were left
10 take their chance on the pavements.
shortly after this had been done. the
whole hill was swept by the flames
and not house escaped complete or
partial destruction. The objects car
ried from the institute to the cellars
OF the Flood house were swallowed mn
Ike tow, all save one bronze. well
wrapped up and placed in a coal bin.
This bronze. when unwrapped. proved
10 be the one erected to Virgil Williams
BY his former pupils 1t is a life size
bust and the tablet reads:
TO HONOR VIRGIL WILLIAMS
1890 1885
Organizer OF the California
School of Design, director
for thirteen years, this
tablet is dedicated by his
pupils in appreciation of
his life and work
He shaped the dawn of
Western art,
And prophesied its noon.
1904.
Eighteen years had elapsed since
the death OF this much loved master
and artist before this tablet was erect
ed to his memory, but so vital and
vivid was the influence exerted by him
on his pupils that even today pupils
pause before his memorial with eyes
eloquent of feeling and understanding
Tor the work accomplished In the
cause Of art during his life time. 1t is
said that when the news of his sudden
death reached the institute all
the pupils. old and new, came hur-
riedly TO the Art Associa tons rooms
10 learn the particulars, and as they
came slowly up the fine, broad stairs.
that in themselves were an enduring
memory to those who trod them daily.
the grief was such that men and
women, unable TO restrain their sorrow.
wept aloud.
AS an eNtempore speaker of undoubt-
ed excellence. Virgil Williams intro
duced the series of lectures which were
to prove one of the best features Of
the school Soaking French and Ital-
ian f1uently. these lectures were the
fruit Of his long study and research and