Omaha daily bee., 1908-07-19
HEROISM INSPIRED BY FLAG
How One SAN Francisco HOUSE Es-
capped the Hurricane of Flame ,
Two Years Ago,

9NANNNt III N"' NNS 1
Francisco, there stands today a house,
which, in the greatest fire OF modern times,
was saved from the flames by the flag.
When over 400 blocks OF buildings lay in
smoking ruins, this house was the only one
left unconsumed along the east side Of the
full length Of Taylor street-a distance Of
twenty-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 coun-
try, and had had earthquake experience"
30 to speak. Accordingly, as soon as the
earth had ceased trembling. she proceeded
to fill the bathtubs and all other recepta-
cles in the house with water. 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 well 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 household might have a supply
of drinking water they brought home from
a neighboring grocery a dozen or so bot
ties OF water charged with carbordc acid
gas-the kline of bottles where you press
a lever at the top, and the water flzzes
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 side broke into flames, and the
under side OF the caves on the north and
east kindled to a blaze.
Mr.. Sheppard and his family had taken
one last look at their home with its treas
ures, 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 determined to hoist
his largest American flag and let the house
meet destruction with the colors flying far
above II. 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 lung 1t to the
breeze. Then, with a feeling somewhat akin
to respect for the conquering power OF
the great fire king, roaring forward in
irresistible ruin, and with a spirit some-
what akin to the unconquerable 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 descended the stairs,
locked the door. and with a heavy heart
| laft tho h0nea IN ite fate High in fba 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 a 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 California and one
was there for Georgia; hut three blocks
away, to the eastward, at the corner of
Vallejo street and Montgomery avenue, at
that moment there CHANGED to be a COM
pany of men who represented all the stars
on that flags field of blue-a company
Of the Twentieth United States infantry.
Under the command OF a young lleuten-
ant, the company had been or its way to
San Francisco on the day of the earth
quake, and had been delayed on its journey
twenty-four hours. 1t had entered the city
Thursday afternoon by the ferry from Oak
land, and was at that moment marching
under orders to go into camp at Washing
ton square. The lieutenant and his men
had seen the flag rise and fall in salute,
and saw It now as It streamed forth in
beauty amidst smoke and flame.
Boys" shouted the young lieutenant,
"a house that flies a flag like that is worth
saving!' His men responded with a cheer.
and as Mr.. Dakin was sadly vending his
way down the northern slope of Russian
hill, soldiers of the Twentieth United
States infantry were dashing up the east
ern slope at a double-quick. Nc time was
lost. They tore away the burning wood
work OF the veranda, broke open the door,
and discovered the bathtubs filled with
water. Some Of them carried earth from
the garden, others mixed It in the bath
tubs to the consistency OF wet plaster, and
then certain of their number stationed
themselves at different windows and as the
wet mud was carried to them they bonn
barded every spAt that had kindled into
flame.
One by one the houses in the block
burned up and burned out. until the old
house stood alone. Every blaze that had
started upon its caves and sides had been
extingulshed save one. There was one
spot under the caves at the northeast cor
ner that could not be bombarded success
fully. Unless the fire at that point was
put out all that had been done we're done
in vain.
The soldiers were equal TO the emer-
gency. A squad mounted TO the roof. One
Of the men lay flat upon the edge and
while four Of his comrades held him fast
by his legs, he leaned afar out over the
wide old-fashioned caves. Others passed
to him bottles OF the water charged with
carbonic acid gas. And there, hanging
far over the edge OF the roof. 50 that he
might be able 10 direct the stream Of water
on the fire burning fiercely beneath the
caves. he squirted the fizzlng contents OF
bottle after bottle, until the last flame
and the last ember were extinguished-and
the house was saved,-st. Nicholas Mag
azine.