10-year-olds swim to Alcatraz, 1990
Two hardy 10 year-olds from San Francisco yesterday became the youngest swimmers ever to make the 1.5 mile crossing from Alcatraz to the city.
Pat Reid beat Emma Macchiarini-Mankin by 18 minutes to break a 35-year-old “youngest swimmer” record set in 1955 by John Hunter, then 14.
Emma, a freckle-faced fifth grader, holds the record for being the youngest to swim the Golden Gate, a distinction she won last year.
When Pat paddled ashore about 10 a.m. at the South End Rowing Club at the foot of Hyde Street, he was greeted by the ancient mariner in the annals of Alcatraz swimming.
In the welcoming throng for Emma were a host of relatives, including her grandfather, Peter Macchiarini, a Grant Avenue jeweler.
[...] in neither case were the children’s lives at risk, for both had their fathers in the 62-degree water matching them stroke for stroke.
Dan Macchiarini also swam alongside his daughter on July 12, 1989, when at age 8, Emma became the youngest person to swim the Golden Gate.
A couple of months ago there appeared in The Chronicle the sad report that the Steam Beer Brewery at 541 Eighth Street — the last of its frontier breed in the entire Nation — was faced with financial extinction.
Mrs. Steese, the wife of Larry Steese, owner, brewmaster, factotum and deliveryman, said: “There were 20 people lined up in here wanting to put up $1000 apiece to save us, and at least seven more who wanted to go the whole amount.”
The Steeses settled on the single-handed support of Fritz Maytag, a young financier from the Midwest and already the tiny brewery is supplying a half dozen more taprooms than its original, faithful 50, brewing more batches than ever before.
Showmen called it the finest spectacle in the history of American show business.
Gene Buck, master of ceremonies, called him “the nearest thing to a genius in this country.”
Without prompting, with an indescribable feeling of quiet power and emotion, the 15,000 slowly rose to their feet.
Sept. 22: “Frederick Harris, vagrancy,” was the name and charge that appeared on Police Judge Brady’s calendar yesterday.
Assistant District attorney Becsey looked him over suspiciously.
Again the man once more brushed back his hair and indicated a spot, which before had been covered.