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"A Comprehensive and Connected Account of the Terrible Tragedy that Befell the
People of Our Golden City—The Metropolis of the Golden Gate, and the Death
and Ruin Dealt Many Adjacent Cities and Surrounding Country. Destroying
Earthquake Comes Without Warning, in the Early Hours of the
Morning; Immense Structures Topple and Crumble; Great Leland
Stanford University Succumbs; Water Mains Demolished and
Fire Completes Devastation; Fighting Fire With Dynamite."
During even the most awful moments of the catastrophe men
and women with sublimest heroism faced the most threatening
terrors and dangers to assist, to rescue and to save. Everywhere
throughout the city scenes of daring, self-sacrifice and bravery
were witnessed and thrilling escapes from imminent death
aroused enthusiasm as well as horror.
A landmark of San Francisco which escaped destruction,
though every building around it was destroyed, is the United
States Mint at the corner of Fifth and Mission streets. Harold
French, an employe of the mint, gave a graphic account of how
the flames were successfully fought.
“Nearly $200,000,000 in coin and bullion,” said Mr. French,
“is stored in the vaults of the mint and for the preservation of
this prize a devoted band of employes, re-enforced by regular
soldiers, fought until the baffled flames fled to the conquest of
stately blocks of so-called fireproof buildings.
“For seven hours a sea of fire surged around this grand old
federal edifice, attacking it on all sides with waves of fierce heat.
Its little garrison was cut off from retreat for hours at a time, had
such a course been thought of by those on guard.
“Iron shutters shielded the lower floors, but the windows of
the upper story, on which are located the refinery and assay office,
were exposed.
“When the fire leaped Mint avenue in solid masses of flames
the refinery men stuck to their windows as long as the glass remained
in the frames. Seventy-five feet of an inch hose played a
slender stream upon the blazing window sill, while the floor was
awash with diluted sulphuric acid. Ankle deep in this soldiers and
employes stuck to the floor until the windows shattered. With
a roar, the tongues of fire licked greedily the inner walls. Blinding
and suffocating smoke necessitated the abandonment of the
hose and the fighters retreated to the floor below.
“Then came a lull. There was yet a fighting chance, so back
to the upper story the fire-fighters returned, led by Superintendent
Leach. At length the mint was pronounced out of danger
and a handful of exhausted but exultant employes stumbled out
on the hot cobblestone to learn the fate of some of their homes.”
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