not in the least daunted by the problem of raising from its ruins
the whole vast number of dwellings and business houses. The leaders of
the people, the men who had been identified with San Francisco since
its early days, and whose great fortunes were almost swept away by the
cataclysm, lent courage to all the wearied thousands by firm statements
of their optimism.

James D. Phelan, former Mayor of the city and one of its richest
capitalists, immediately announced his intention of rebuilding his
properties at Market and O'Farrell Streets, in the heart of the ruined
business district. William H. Crocker, one of the heaviest losers, a
nephew of Charles Crocker, who founded the Central Pacific Railroad with
Collis P. Huntington, Leland Stanford and others, stated emphatically
that he would put his shoulder to the wheel. On receiving the first news
of the disaster, and before he knew what his losses would amount to, he
said:

"Mark my words, San Francisco will arise from these ashes a greater and
more beautiful city than ever. I don't take any stock in the belief of
some people that investors and residents will be panicky and afraid to
build up again. This calamity, terrible as it is, will mean nothing less
than a new and grander San Francisco. It is preposterous to suggest the
abandonment of the city. It is the natural metropolis of the Pacific
coast. God made it so. D. O. Mills, the Spreckels family, everybody I
know, have determined to rebuild and to invest more than ever before.
Burnham, the great Chicago architect, has been at work for a year or
more on plans to beautify San Francisco. Terrible as this destruction
has been, it serves to clear the way for the carrying out of these
plans. Why, even now we are figuring on rebuilding. More than that, I am
confident that, except for what fire has absolutely laid waste, it
will be found that the buildings are less injured than was supposed.
Plastering, ornamental work, glass and more or less loose material has
been shaken down, but the framework, I am sure, will be found intact in
many big buildings."

D. Ogden Mills, of New York, who owned enormous properties in the
stricken city, was equally confident.

"We will go ahead," said he, "and build the city, and build it so that
earthquakes will not shake it down and so fire will not destroy it, and
we will have a water system which will enable us to draw water from the
sea for fire extinguishing service and other municipal