ill, west of it being the Huntington home and
farther west the Crocker residence, with its broad lawns and magnificent
stables. Many other beautiful and costly houses stood on this hill, and
opposite the Stanford and Hopkins edifices the great Fairmount Hotel had
for two years past been in process of construction and was practically
completed. On the northeastern slope of this hill stood the famous
Chinatown, through which it was necessary to pass to ascend Nob's Hill
from the principal section of the wholesale district.

This region of palaces was the next to fall a prey to the insatiable
flames. Early Thursday morning a change in the wind sent the fire
westward, eating its way from the water front north of Market Street
toward Nob's Hill. Steadily but surely it climbed the slope, and the
Stanford and Hopkins edifices fell victims to its fury. Others of the
palaces of millionairedom followed. Huge clouds of smoke enveloped the
beautiful white stone Fairmount Hotel, and there was a general feeling
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