of horror when this magnificent structure seemed doomed. To it the
Committee of Safety had retreated, but the flames from the burning
buildings opposite reached it, and the committee once more migrated in
search of safe quarters. Fortunately, it escaped with little damage, its
walls remaining intact and much of the interior being left in a state
of preservation, warranting its managers to offer space within it to the
committees whose aim it was to help the homeless or to store supplies.
Some of the woodwork of the building was destroyed by the fire, but
the structure was in such good condition that work on it was quickly
resumed, with the statement that its completion would not be delayed
more than three months beyond the date set, which was November, 1906.

In the district extending northwestwardly from Kearney Street and
Montgomery Avenue, untouched during the first day, the fire spread
freely on the second. This district embraces the Latin quarter,
peopled by various nationalities, the houses being of the flimsiest
construction. Once it had gained a foothold there, the fire swept onward
as though making its way through a forest in the driest summer season.

An apochryphal incident is told of the fire in this quarter, which may
be repeated as one example of the fables set afloat. It is stated that
water to fight the fire here was sadly lacking, the only available
supply being from an old well. At a critical moment the pump sucked
dry, the water in the well being exhausted. The residents were not yet
conquered. Some of them threw open their cellar doors and, calling for
assistance, began to roll out barrels of red wine. Barrel after barrel
appeared, until fully five hundred gallons were ready for use. Then the
barrel heads were smashed in and the bucket brigade turned from water to
wine. Sacks were dipped in the wine and used for fighting the fire. Beds
were stripped of their blankets and these soaked in the wine and hung