Eugene Schmitz Eugene Schmitz was the mayor during the earthquake. He was born on August 22, 1864. He was later nicknamed 'Handsome Gene'. Before becoming mayor, Schmitz was an musician and orchestra leader. On the day of the quake, Schmitz sent out an order to the police and army. He said to KILL all people involved with looting and any other crime. This caused police to be trigger-happy. They shot and killed an estimate of 500 so-called looters. Some of those people were business owners looking for anything left of their stores. Some were people looking through the rubble of their own homes. Because of that order, Schmitz's life was in danger. Law enforcement wanted to sentence Schmitz because of the deaths. The people of San Francisco didn't want to see the mayor hung, though. Schmitz was set free. |