Chutes Amusement Park
May 29, 1911
Box 174 – Turk and Fillmore

GENERAL ALARM

THREE LIVES LOST IN CUTES FIRE
RUINS OF SAN FRANCISCO BLAZE ARE SEARCHED FOR FOURTH MAN WHO IS MISSING
DAMAGE PLACED AT $250,000
AMUSEMENT PLACE AND LODGING HOUSE OWNED BY ABE RUEF ALMOST WIPED OUT

Photo Courtesy of Courtesy of the San Francisco History Center

(Associated Press) San Francisco.
1911 May 29
Three and possibly four persons perished in the fire which destroyed the Chutes amusement park and the Arcade lodging: house early today. Three bodies have been recovered from the ruins and it Is believed that a fourth is buried beneath the wreckage of the lodging house.

One of the bodies was identified as that of John Walker, a medium, who occupied rooms in the lodging house. Another Is believed to be that of John L. Boettinger, who was put to bed in room 29 of the place at a late hour last night. The body was found immediately below the room which Boettinger had occupied. His daughter, Mrs. Stewart Dodge, was unable to identify the remains'.

The third body, evidently that of a small child, is believed to be that of the four-year-old daughter of Fred Ritchie, a carnival manager, who lived in the Arcade.

NURSE LOSES PARIENT

Mrs. Mary MacFarland, a nurse, reported to the police after the fire that she had been unable to find the Rev. H. E. Howland, a medium who had been under her care in the lodging house. She started down the stairway with him. but turned back and was overcome by smoke. After she was rescued and revived she was unable to find her patient.

The total loss is estimated at $250,000. The building was the property of Abraham Ruef. the former political boss who is serving a sentence for bribery in San Quentin.

The fire originated in the kitchen of the Chutes restaurant and spread rapidly through the flimsy block, which housed a number of amusement concerns until it reached the lodging house on the second floor facing Fillmore street. About seventy persons, chiefly women and children, were asleep in the place. The narrow stairways became blocked and most of the lodgers leaped from the windows to the street below. A panic followed a cry that the animals of the Chutes zoo were escaping, but the place was occupied by only a bear cub and a cage full of monkers.

SCORE AND BURNED

A score of persons suffering burns were hurried to the emergency hospital, but no deaths were reported until the ruins were searched. Three bodies were found huddled together among the twisted iron beams which had formed the main entrance to the building. These wore removed to the morgue and the search continued for the body of Howland, believed to be buried in the wreck at one comer of the ruins.

The bear cub and several of the monkeys were rescued, but some of the simians rushed back into the flames and were burned to death. The body of one small monkey was found clinging to a pole at the summit of the scenic railway, which was not destroyed by the blaze.

While the searchers were looking for bodies they uncovered another monkey which sprang away chattering, apparently unharmed. With the exception of the scenic railway. which was badly damaged, and a few concessions at the rear of the building, everything in the Chutes was total loss. A number of nickelodeons, postal galleries and two saloons which occupied the ground floor in front were totally destroyed.

Rev. Henry E. Howland, practitioner of occult healing, walked into the flames which destroyed the amusement park with a smile on his face, according to a statement made by Mrs. Ida McFarland. Howland’s coworker in spiritualistic investigations, who was with him in the Arcade hotel when the flames swept the building.

'We walked out into the hall.” said Mrs. McFarland, "and found that the fire had come up the stairs. It was the only exit, save a window at the other end of the hall. We walked to the window, hand in hand." 'Wait until I come back.’ said Dr. Howland. He walked toward the head of the stairway and then turned and smiled at me. I am not afraid.’ he said. An instant later the flames and smoke hid him from view. I crawled out on the window ledge and clung there until the firemen took me down a ladder.” Howland was pastor of the First Christian Spiritualist church of San Francisco. He has been known as a teacher of the occult on the Pacific coast for the last ten years.
Source: Los Angeles Herald, Volume XXXIIL, Number 241, 30 May 1911 — THREE LIVES LOST IH C|TES FIOE Ruins of San Francisco Blaze Are Searched for Fourth Man> Who Is Missing DAMAGE PLACED AT $250,000 Amusement Place and Lodging House Owned by Abe Ruef Almost Wiped Out [ARTICLE]

THREE BODIES FOUND IN THE FIRE RUINS
DOZEN PERSONS HURT AT THE  CHUTES
FLIMSILY BUILT AND BROKE LAW
MANY THRILLLING ESCAPES AND RESCUES MADE AT FILLMORE STREET DISASTER
BLAZE THAT BURNED OUT ENTIRE BLOCK NOT INCENDIARY, SAYS FIRE MARSHAL

Three dead and nearly a dozen persons more or less seriously inured was the toll taken by the fire which at 1 o’clock yesterday morning wiped out the flimsy firetrap known as the Fillmore Arcade building, extending along the east side of Fillmore street from Turk to Eddy, and caused probably $25,000 damage to the Chutes park, occupying the remainder of the block

It is possible that the entire number of dead is greater than the list already known, for a number of persons known to have been in the Arcade rooming house and reported missing immediately after the fire have not yet been found. A thorough search of the ruins yesterday, however, ruslted in the finding of   only three bodies, and the firemen gave the search in the afternoon, believing that all the dead had been  recovered.
Source: San Francisco Call, Volume 109, Number 181, 30 May 1911 — Three Bodies Found in Fire Ruins Dozen Persons Hurt at the Chutes [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

WITH SMILE ON FACE, HEALER WALKS INTO FIRE WHICH DESTROYED CHUTES
San Francisco
1911 May 30

Rev E. Henry Howland. practitioner of occult healing, walked into the flames which destroyed the Chutes amusement park here last night with a smile on his face. This statement was made by Mrs. Ida McFarland, Howland's coworker in spiritual investigations, who was with him in the Arcade hotel when the flames swept the building. Howland has been missing since the fire, 

“We walked out into the hall.’' said Mrs. McFarland, “and found that the fire had come up the stairway. It was the only exit, save a window at the other end of the hall. We walked to the window hand in hand.

“Wait until come back,” said Dr. Howland. He walked toward the head of the stairway, and then turned and smiled at me.

"I am not afraid,” he said.

“An instant later the flames and smoke hid him from view. I crawled out on the window ledge and clung there until the firemen took me down a ladder.

Howland was pastor of the First Christian Spiritualist church of San Francisco. He has been known as a teacher of the occult on the Pacific coast, for the last ten years.

Three bodies were taken from the ruins of the fire and the failure to find Howland makes the total number of deaths possibly four. Five prizewinning dogs from the Humberton kennels, the property of Irving Ackerson, president of the Chutes company were burned. The other animals were saved. The Chutes management fixes the loss at approximately $250,000, Insurance covering about 75 per cent of the loss. It was announced that the work of rebuilding would begin immediately.
Source: Sacramento Union, Volume 159, Number 30, 30 May 1911 — With Smile on Face, Healer Walks Into Fire Which Destroyed Chutes [ARTICLE]

SEVERAL LIVES LOST IN FLAMES OF CHUTES PARK
HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE BARELY ESCAPE AND SCORES OF ANIMALS PERISH.
ALMOST EVERY BUILDING IN BLOCK REDUCED TO ASHES AND LOSS WILL EXCEED $ 350,000.

San Francisco.
1911 June 3
Several lives lost, many injured and hundreds of persons barely escaped in their night clothes, when the Chutes amusement park, located in the heart of the city, was destroyed by fire at 1 o'clock Monday morning.

The flames spread rapidly to adjoining buildings on all sides of the park, and the damage amounted to more than $350,000. The firemen resorted to the use of dynamite to save property several blocks away from the Chutes on all sides.

Heroic  rescues by members of the police and fire departments, the injury of occupants in the Chutes lodging house, who were forced to jump to the street to save their lives, falling walls and the narrow escape of firemen were some of the spectacular features of the conflagration.

The shrieks of terrified animals could be heard above the roar of the flames, and a chill was sent through the hearts of the thousand, who watched the fire when it was reported that the cries were from inmates of the lodging house.

J. J. McArthur, superintendent of the Chutes, was present when the fire broke out and he directed the rescue of a large number of the animals in the menagerie. Scores of monkeys, snakes, pigeons and other animals were burned to death.

The flames spread rapidly to every section of the amusement place, to the buildings across the street, at Turk and Fillmore, at the northwest corner, causing considerable damage to the structure occupied by the California Baking Company The flames jumped to the Turk street buildings opposite the Chutes and to the Eddy street side of the block as well.

The loss of the Fillmore Arcade Company is estimated at about $300,000, while that at the Chutes is said to be about $50,000.
Source: Mariposa Gazette, Volume LVII, Number 2, 3 June 1911 — SEVERAL LIVES LOST IN FLAMES OF CHUTES PARK Hundreds of People Barely Escape and Scores of Animals Perish. !Almost Every Building in Block Reduced to Ashes and Loss Will Exceed $ 350,000. [ARTICLE]

FIRE CHIEF SAYS CHUTES DEATHS WERE AVOIDABLE
MURPHY CRITICISES BATTALION HEAD FOR HANDLING OF TRUCK 5
FARLEY CHARGED WITH INCOMPETENCY IN REPORT FILED WITH COMMISSION

1911 June 2 
That the loss of  life at the Chutes fire May 29 might have been less, or avoided altogether, had it not been for the poor judgment displayed by Battalion Chief Matt Farley was the implication/made in a report criticizing the handling of truck 5 on that occasion made by Chief Thomas R. Murphy to the fire commissioners at meeting yesterday.

“It was the crudest case of incompetency I ever saw," is the way in which Chief Murphy describes Farley's behavior.

The report was directed at the outset at Captain W. F. Otto of truck 5, which was responding to an alarm from box 583 for a small fire in a restaurant in O'Farrell street near Fillmore; when the Chutes fire broke out.

TRUCK IS RETURNED

When the alarm, from box 174 for the Chutes fire was rung the first fire was out. Then instead of going directly to the Chutes, truck 5 returned to its quarters at Geary and Divisadero streets to report in-service again. Captain Otto exonerated, himself by stating that he had asked Battalion Chief Farley, for permission to go to the Chutes, but Farley told him not to do so, but to return to quarters.

Farley explained, that he obeyed the rules strictly. He showed that the rules required that apparatus engaged at one fire, must return to quarters and report in-service again before going another fire and stated that he had once, been severely reprimanded for violation of this rule under similar circumstances There was a heated discussion between Murphy and Farley; the former persisting in his opinion, that in such an emergency the truck, which was sorely needed, should, have been taken at once to the fire two blocks away in spite of the rules or that it should have been reported in service from, box 583, instead of' going all the way back to quarters. Farley adhered to his stand such a violation of rules might under some circumstance make trouble.

The report was filed.

FIREMEN ARE PRAISED

Chief Murphy made reports praising Captain J. R. Mitchell and Driver William Wanderlich, both of: chemical engine 2; Driver Joseph Meader of battery 1, J. C. Herlihy of' engine 34 and Lieutenant Jeremiah Collins of engine 2 for conspicuous gallantry and devotion, to duty at the risk of their own lives during the Chutes fire, and all the men of the companies that responded to the first alarm for their efficiency The commissioners publicly complimented Mitchell. Wanderlich, Herllhy, Collin's and Meader for their conduct0.

Chief Murphy reported that during the Chutes fire the water pressure in Fillmore street was so low that the street gates had to be closed to increase the pressure, occasioning much delay and imperiling life. The Spring Valley water company was requested to see that the pressure in Fillmore street is increased.
Source: San Francisco Call, Volume 110, Number 2, 2 June 1911 — FIRE CHIEF SAYS CHUTES DEATHS WERE AVOIDABLE [ARTICLE]

POLICE COMMISSION

1911 June 2
In part
Special commendation for the members of the police department who did heroic work in rescuing lives at the fire which destroyed a portion of the Chutes property in Fillmore street last Monday morning was received in a letter bearing the signatures of Captain McManus and Chief Seymour. The members of the department receiving the honorary mention were Sergeant Martin T. Cooney and Policemen James P. Collins, Edward J. Plume, George R. McKenney, Gerald L. Ball. Frank Lord and Peter H. Nielsen
Source: San Francisco Call, Volume 110, Number 2, 2 June 1911 — SEYMOUR HAS A GOOD TIME ATI BOARD MEETING [ARTICLE]

BIG SAN FRANCISCO FIRE

From Monday's Dally.
1911 June 3
A fire that started early this morning threatened to do much damage before it was put under control and as it is did damage estimated at $250,000, The fire started in a pool parlor near the old Chutes Theatre and amusement park and twenty buildings have been wiped out.

Delle Alviso, 19 years of age, jumped from the second story of a frame boarding house near the burning resort and was dangerously injured. William Williams, who attempted to catch Miss Alviso as she fell, had his wrist broken. Joseph Feist, a tailor who also jumped from the second story of a boarding house broke his right leg. Every building within the block containing the amusement resort was gutted. Every reserve fire company in the city was called out. The building occupied by the California Bakery Company caught fire several times but the flames were I extinguished before they got beyond { control.
Source: Madera Mercury, Volume XXVII, Number 8, 3 June 1911 — DIG SIN FHINCISCO FIDE [ARTICLE]

FIRE BURNED. BUTCHUTES STILL BUBBLES
FINAL FLING PROMISED PATRONS OF AMUSEMENT PARK

1911 June 4
Slightly scorched but not badly disfigured, the Chutes park, which was reopened last evening, will remain open to the public this afternoon and evening only; just for one big time before the complete restoration of the grounds is begun.

The fire of last Monday morning only destroyed the west end of the scenic railway and the business office of the institution, leaving the theater unharmed and as it was the day it was built: while the human roulette wheel, merry-go-round, miniature railway, fishpond, bandstand, cafe, photograph gallery and numerous other concessions were also untouched by flames. The lawns and tropical palms in the center of the grounds gratefully, received the water thrown on them by the fire department and are greener and fresher than ever, while the monkeys and other curious animals in the home of the happy family are as lively as usual.

Unusually good entertainment, has been provided for the theater during the brief time that will be open, and the management, promises that nothing will be left undone to give visitors /to San Francisco's pleasure park a jolly time. Several surprises in the way of: amusement have been thought out, including many novel open air features.
Source: San Francisco Call, Volume 110, Number 4, 4 June 1911 — FIRE BURNED. BUTCHUTES STILL BUBBLES [ARTICLE]

DEATH CALLS JAS. BUCKLEY AFTER LINGERING ILLNESS

1911 June 8
On May 31st, James Buckley passed away at his home in San Anselmo. He had been sick for over two years from a stricture of the esophagus and for a long time had been kept alive by receiving his nourishment by means of a tube inserted in his side, to the stomach. Deceased was a native of Ireland 59 years of age, and is survived by his widow. Mrs. Annie Buckley. He was an engineer by trade, and an ex-fireman of San Francisco. The funeral took place in San Francisco.
Source: Marin Journal, Volume 50, Number 23, 8 June 1911 — Jack London To Tour Marin [ARTICLE]

Extracted from original sources with grammar and spelling as published.

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