The Way it Was

100 years ago

San Francisco in ashes

SAN FRANCISCO -- The fire following the earthquake is gradually consuming the whole city. The United States Sub-Treasury building was destroyed by fire yesterday afternoon. The vaults appear in tact. A detail of soldiers guard 30 millions in money and bullion. Treasurer Jacobs was burned and dead.

The fire which skipped some houses at Base Telegraph Hill, switched back and consumed the last house on the hill. The flames in Van Ness avenue proceeded towards Waters front and will doubtless make a clean sweep.

The fire in Octavia street headed towards Laurel, Calvary, Odd Fellows and Masonic cemeteries.

Three hundred thousand people are starving and famishing in the streets and hills near the city today. There is no water in the city, except which is distributed by soldiers in the parks.

50 years ago

Bye bye bingo

JEFFERSON CITY -- It's good-bye to bingo in Missouri.

All Missouri sheriffs were told by their state association today they must enforce the law against bingo and other "charity" gambling or run the risk of automatic ouster from office.

William Barton, general counsel of the Missouri Sheriff's Assn. mailed the warning to sheriff's throughout the state in the form of a legal opinion based on a recent Supreme Court decision.

Under that ruling, he said, "The conclusions inescapable that a sheriff automatically forfeits his right to office if he fails to enforce the state law against gambling and operation of lotteries for charitable, civic and municipal purposes."