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GAS EXPLOSIONS ADD TO HORROR
COOKING RANGES USED AFTER MAINS BROKE
ST. LOUIS MAN BELIEVES DISASTER MIGHT HAVE BEEN AVERTED IF WARNING WERE HEEDED BY HOUSE-KEEPERS
1906 April 21
E. C. Howard of 1334 Figueroa street, traveling representative for a St. Louis chemical concern, was among the coolheaded ones who were able to forget their own troubles and minister to the wants Of others during the San Francisco disaster.
Mr. Howard said yesterday:
"I was in San Francisco on business this week and stopped at an apartment house on Fillmore and Eighth streets. I was awakened by the terrible shock of the earthquake and jumped out of bed. I peered out of the window as I was dressing and could see clouds of smoke beginning to arise from a dozen points, seemingly close at hand. I left the house after calming its frightened and screaming occupants and went around by the ''panhandle" route through the Presidio.
"At Howard and Mission street there were already fires springing up and I gazed with dismay at the fallen walls of homes and business blocks and saw many maimed persons struggling to get out of that fearful chaotic ruin. "I felt that my duty kept me in the doomed city and I did what I could to relieve sufferers and aided In carrying them to waiting Improvised ambulances.
SOME MANIACS, SOME CALM
"There was a great difference in the way that people took misfortune. Some were wringing their hands and acting like maniacs. Others went quietly about their work, not only looking after their Immediate needs, but going out of their way to help others In distress. The house In which I had been a guest looked like a pasteboard box that had been twisted out of shape after the shock.
"I shall never, never forget the scenes that met my eyes as I finally made my way to the ferry. I was Informed by one who claimed to know that n number of fires were caused by women lighting their gas stoves to get breakfast after the shock at about 5 o'clock.
GAS RANGES CAUSE EXPLOSIONS
"People were warned as much as possible against using their gas but many disregarded, the warning and many small explosions in various parts of the; city kindled numerous fires that need not have occurred. The Chicago fire was caused, according to the accepted story, by a cow kicking over a lamp. Perhaps the big San Francisco disaster might have been averted in the main If persons had used more caution after the earthquake had broken gas mains and electric light wires.
"I had the greatest difficulty In reaching my St. Louis house by wire and my wife who, I knew, would be worrying about my safety. I filed several messages that probably never reached their destination, and a message to my wife arrived today, about the time I came In.
Mr. Howard reported the safety of Edward Off, president of the state board of pharmacy, who was said to be missing. Mr. Howard met him in Oakland In company with Charles Slier of this city.
Source; Los Angeles Herald, Volume 33, Number 203, 21 April 1906 — GAS EXPLOSIONS ADD TO HORROR [ARTICLE]
WORLD-FAMOUS CLIFF HOUSE SAFE
SAN FRANCISCO, April 22. — A thorough Inspection made by a representative of the Associated Press, who made the trip in an automobile, that comparatively little damage was done in the vicinity of the Cliff house. The Cliff house itself not only stands, but the damage sustained from the earthquake shock to this historic building will not exceed, according to the statement of the manager, Wilkins, $500. Fact the escapes of the Cliff house one of the curious features of the disaster which has befallen San Francisco.
The famous Sutro baths, located near the Cliff house, with its hundreds of thousands of square feet of glass roofing, also was practically unharmed. Only a few of the windows in the Sutro baths and in the Cliff house were broken and the lofty chimney of the pumping plant, of the former establishment was cracked only slightly
Manager Wilkins of the Cliff house notified the general relief committee that he would turn over his establishment as well as the immense stables of his resort which are unharmed, to the housing of the homeless. The only difficulty about the acceptance of this tender would be the difficulty of transporting supplies that distance the water supply of the house and the building's in that vicinity has been cut off, but, it is expected that an independent supply will be arranged for some time today.
The district lying west of Golden Gate park and along the beach from Golden Gate southward it suffered less from the earthquake than probably any other section of the San Francisco peninsula.
Los Angeles Herald.
The Stanford University Chapel, erected at an expense of over $1,000,000, was completed a little over two years ago. It was the desire of Mrs. Stanford that this memorial to her son should rank among the most beautiful and costly structures of the world. The front of the building was a vast and almost priceless piece of Italian mosaic.
DANTE'S "INFERNO" ACTED IN REALITY, SA YS EYE-WITNESS DESCBIBES IN DETAIL AWFUL SCENES
HEROIC ACTS WITHOUT NUMBER
BODIES CREMATED TO PREVENT DISEASE— MORBIDLY CURIOUS CAUSE MANY DEATHS
STEEL FRAMEWORKS STAND LIKE HUGE, BLACK SPECTERS
1906 April 22
Among the first to arrive In Los Angeles yesterday from the grief stricken city of the north was George M. Babcock of Los Angeles, vice president and general manager of the Southern California Advertising company. Mr. Babcock was on the train Just reaching the 'city on the morning of the disaster. Ho was spared the awful terror of the first | mighty shock and therefore able to take better note of the destruction of the city than those who were terror stricken by the first disturbance.
LIKE DANTE'S "INFERNO"
"I reached San Francisco just in the middle of the first quake," said Mr. Babcock yesterday. "I had been In San Francisco so often that I was paying little heed to the bustle and did not feel the shock of the temblor as the train hurried along. Imagine my feelings as I left the train and started into the city. It was as though I had been lifted from a modern sleeping car and suddenly set down in the very middle of that awful inferno described by Dante, only this was a real living hell, tearing the very pulse from a man's body and causing him to turn sick at the very thought of It.
DISPLAYED GREAT HEROISM
"All through the long day I traveled Up and down the streets, watching the people as they moved about among the ruins of that great city, There was no hurrying, no frenzied terror, no screaming and rushing and pushing: about. The men and women moved slowly and carried what little things they had with them. Everyone was kind and considerate of his neighbor. That first shock had carried hysteria away with it and left the souls und hearts of those Franciscans bare and unpolished. They were men and women and their heroism was Indescribable.
MEETS FORMER MAYOR
"I met the one man in all that city that I would have rather seen. It was Former Mayor James D. Phelan, who with hat shoved well back from his forehead stood by and watched the fire. We simply spoke to one another In a casual way. He did not even ask when I had arrived In town. There was but one thing to think of and people passed by their own parents and relatives without seeming to recognize them.
PEOPLE LIKE DUMB ANIMALS
"With Phelan I visited the ruins. The little man seemed one mass of energy and nerves as he dashed here and there In his automobile, bumping over the debris and moving always. We saw the endless human chain go past us. Men, women and children, carrying their little, possessions with them as they went, stopping here and there, within a. few blocks of the mighty fames and turning to gaze back at the fire thinking themselves safe. Their minds seemed unable to comprehend the enormity of that conflagration but like dumb animals they walked wearily onward as the fire drove them from one place to another. At each resting place they left some of their possessions so that when they finally reached the outskirts of the city they had only a handful of stuff with them.
RICH AND POOR SHARE FOOD
"The ragmuffins of the gutter shared their biscuits with millionaires and all were contented. The man with me. Jim Phelan, had lost $5,000,000 in business property between the rising and setting suns but he laughed his quick little laugh as we rested for a moment in the home of J. Downey Harvey at 2550 Webster street. The home was one of the most beautiful in the city and it was then along In the evening. 'Boys,' said Phelan. 'I am penniless, but we must get supplies to the sufferers. I will pledge $25,000 for a starter and we must have a million by tomorrow night.
HOMES BURN LIKE TINDER
“Ah turn In now and sleep till daylight, the house will last that long,” remarked Harvey as he looked about his mansion with a grim smile. We took a little rest and by daylight we were hurrying from the danger zone. All that was saved from that magnificent residence was a bundle of brooms which the servants took with them. We saw one man walking down the street holding a feather duster In one hand and a pair of slippers In the other.
"Telegraph Hill went in one mighty blaze of hellish glory. The flames burst out In dozens of places at once and It looked like some gigantic bonfire.
RICH THANKFUL FOR SAFETY
“We stood on Nob Hill, that field of the millionaire homes, and watched the flames leap like hungry wolves upon their prey. At times the great sheets, fifty feet and more in width, driven by a heavy wind, would leap the length of three blocks and settle down upon Its victims. The palaces of the millionaires were deserted, the owners simply locking the doors and departing without a sigh of regret. With a pillow or a blanket held tightly to them, they marched toward Golden Gate park, with the one expression: “Thank God we have our lives."
CURIOSITY CAUSES MANY DEATHS "It was through the crazy curiosity of the poor and ignorant that the terrible loss of life occurred. Back to the scenes of the fires they went like fear-maddened horses, only to be caught as some great sheet of fire headed them off. Under the walls and crushed by the debris they screamed out their lives or with clenched teeth died like heroes.
"In Chinatown the loss of life was awful. Where the long queer streets of that famous foreign section jingled to the tones of oriental music, there was only a great quiet mass of blackened stumps when I left. Many of the celestials dashed to their underground homes at the first shock and the walls tumbling about their ears held them like rats in a trap.
CREMATION INSTEAD OF DISEASE
"Then came the sickening sight of the great disaster. Bodies of every description began to decompose in the streets and gutters and the soldiers threw them Into the seething flames to prevent disease by the cremation. Mr. Phelan stated positively that there were 1600 dead and Injured In the Mechanics pavilion when the flames struck and that 500 injured had been carried to nearby shanties which later burned. The Duboce park section with the German hospital went in the flames.
"The Valencia hotel at Seventeenth and Valencia streets went down two stories Into the ground and the bursting pipes drowned the Inmates. Of all the grand great buildings of that city the United States mint was the only one to escape. Like some supernatural structure the heavy walls stood the test of earthquake, fire and smoke and while other buildings thundered down, It stood. When I left yesterday morning people were sleeping with nothing but newspapers spread about on the lawns for protection. On Market street the flame god left the blackened frame works of the buildings with that peculiar look of the inside of a crematory. It looked as though the fire had been there a month ago, while over all, brooding, black and threatening, tottered the steel work of the Call building, ghastly In Its nakedness
Source: Los Angeles Herald, Volume 33, Number 204, 22 April 1906 — DANTE'S "INFERNO" ACTED IN REALITY, SAYS EYE-WITNESS [ARTICLE]
SAW CITY RISE TO GREATNESS BUT FALL IN RUINS
1906 April 22
Mrs. A. H. Green, 1168 Golden avenue, San Francisco, one of the few remaining pioneer women of California, arrived in Los Angeles on the 6:40 train last evening.
Mrs. Green went to San Francisco In 1849 and for fifty years has seldom been away from there. She Is 76 years of age. All of her children but two sons, Robert Green, manager of the Dennlson News company of Los Angeles, and I. S. Green, were living In San Francisco at the time of the earthquake.
Mrs. Green could hardly speak of the disaster when she got off the train. She said she had watched San Francisco grow in years from a village Into a great city and in one day reduced to a mass of ruins.
"It Is needless to attempt to describe it. You cannot," said Mrs. Green. "It is impossible to realize the awfulness of the suffering."
Mrs. Green was accompanied by her daughter. When the fire first broke out she was in bed at her home. She was taken to Asbury Heights, where her children stretched a piece of canvas for a tent.
Source: Los Angeles Herald, Volume 33, Number 204, 22 April 1906 — SAW CITY RISE TO GREATNESS BUT FALL IN RUINS [ARTICLE]
A GREATER SAN FRANCISCO
1906 April 22
Before the fires of burning San Francisco shall have cooled, a new and greater city will begin to rise from the ashes.
San Francisco was and still Is a veritable storehouse of wealth. The vaults of the burned banking houses are full to bursting with money— money that cannot be reached for many weeks or months to come, but which Is still there, and will become available later on. Credit will be needed for a while, but after the first great stress California money, San Francisco money will rebuild San Francisco.
The people of that once great city are descendants of the Argonauts— those men of great fortitude, patience and courage who crossed the mountains and deserts from the Mississippi valley and further east to establish on the Pacific shores a commonwealth which lowers its flag to no state or country on earth; native sons, whose fathers were also native sons and part and parcel of the great accomplishments in this state.
These are the people who will rebuild San Francisco. Descendants of men and women of courage to meet the occasion. They have already passed bravely through an ordeal rarely endured and are already bracing themselves for the restoration. Blood will tell. The courage of father and mother is inheritable. It may run sluggishly at times, but it responds quickly to great demands and special occasions.
With ample courage, therefore, and eventually an abundance of cash, San Francisco is destined to astonish the world by the quickness of its recovery.
It is well to consider, also, that nets of Providence— earthquake and fire — have destroyed the sore and sorry weak spots of San Francisco. If the palatial office buildings are gone, so also are the rookeries; if the splendid hotels are in ruins, so are the disreputable lodging houses. Chinatown is no more, and its degrading sights will never again be a feature of the California metropolis. "Barbary Coast" was completely wiped out, and all the things which were a source of mortification to the good people of San Francisco are gone — never, let us hope, to return.
The opportunity is now presented for the building of a San Francisco that will attract admiration from all cities as a twentieth century wonder, and make every Californian again glad that he is a Californian.
Will the San Francisco capitalists and merchants rebuild San Francisco? Why, of course. It's in the blood.
And you can rest assured that Los Angeles capital will not be very far away when the work of reconstruction begins. We are still at the pleasure of our northern brethren.
em> Source: Los Angeles Herald, Volume 33, Number 204, 22 April 1906 — A GREATER SAN FRANCISCO [ARTICLE]
PLAN TO HELP STRICKEN CITY
HOME COMPANY FORMED TO RAISE $1,000,000
ALL FUNDS REALIZED BY STOCK SUBSCRIPTION
TO BE USED TO BUILD TERMPORARLY HOMES AND PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT
1906 April 22
While the generous hearted men, women and children of Los Angeles, who were dazed by the great calamity that visited San Francisco, were quick to join the immense throng of citizens in the local relief movement, many men who had already contributed liberally in money, food and clothing gave much thought to the future of the northern metropolis and endeavored to think out a plan that would to some extent meet conditions when the time came to rebuild the city.
One of these thoughtful and practical men was R. D. Robinson of the R. D. Robinson Brokerage company, with offices in the Grant building. He was a heavy loser by the earthquake fire, as he had property in San Francisco. He is widely known as a man of energy, as he has been in business In Los Angeles for nine years and Is rated high by financial agencies. He also has branch offices in New York, Toronto and Pittsburg.
PLAN TO RAISE LARGE SUM
Mr. Robinson decided to head an incorporated company to raise a fund of $1,000,000, the money to be used to house temporarily the stricken laborers and their families, and give needy men employment at clearing away the vast wreckage of the many miles of ruins, a task that calls for months and months of hard work.
The formal announcement is:
"The Earthquake Construction company is being organized under the laws of California, with a capital stock of 100,000 shares of the par value of $10 each, every share of which will be placed In the treasury to be sold at par —$10 a share— the proceeds to be applied to the work for which the company is organized. There will be no "Rake-offs" — no graft — no promotion stock — no commission or brokerage of any kind paid any one. Only the legitimate expenses incurred will be charged. Books, records and files o( the company and accounts showing every Item of receipts and disbursements will at all times during business hours be open to inspection, not only to the stockholders, but to the public in general.
Everybody is invited to respond at once to the appeal by purchasing shares of stock that will provide cash for immediate aid, and may result In handsome returns on the investment. Half page advertisements setting forth the plan appear In Los Angeles papers today, and next Sunday copies of the same advertisement will appear in 100 eastern papers. This is a great undertaking and involves much work on the part of the Robinson company, but the end desired will undoubtedly be attained with the co-operation of newspapers and the public throughout the land that is always quick to aid any praiseworthy effort to relieve those in distress. This practical plan will appeal to everybody and bring instant results.
Source: Los Angeles Herald, Volume 33, Number 204, 22 April 1906 — PLAN TO HELP STRICKEN CITY [ARTICLE]
MANY CHINESE ARE HOMELESS
Associated Press.
SAN FRANCISCO, April 22.— One of the worst problems facing the relief committees on both sides of the bay is the sheltering of the Chinese. Most of them, rich and poor alike are absolutely penniless and destitute. It has long been a question in San Francisco what should be done with Chinatown, and moving the Chinese in the direction of Colma has been agitated. Now they are without homes and without prospects of securing land. They can get no land. The limits of Oakland's Chinatown have already been, extended, and the strictest police regulations are in force to prevent further enlargement. On this side of the bay they are camping in open lots, but of course this is the merest temporary shelter. Unless the government undertakes their relief they are in grave danger. Those who have money cannot purchase property, as no one will sell to them. Few, however, even of the richest merchants in Chinatown, saved anything of value for their wealth was invested in the Oriental village which had sprung up in the heart of the burned district.
RED CROSS SOCIETY TO THE RESCUE
by Associated Press.
'WASHINGTON, April 22.— 1t was announced at the headquarters of the Red Cross yesterday that committees of women will be organized throughout the country by the Red Cross to collect, sort and pack clothing, blankets and linen to be shipped to the Red Cross agent at San Francisco for the benefit' of the sufferers.
NO CONTAGIOUS DISEASES IN SAN FRANCISCO
April 22. — The Associated Press Is requested to transmit the following:
To the "War Department, Headquarters, Pacific Division:
"San Francisco. April 22, 1906.
Several telegrams have been received at these headquarters re questing information as to epic demise of contagious diseasesin the city of San Francisco. There is absolutely no truth in any of these statements. There is no epidemic of any kind and no present prospect of any. Such statements are simply doing harm to San Francisco and the country in general. It would be deemed a great service to the suffering people of San Francisco and all their friends if it could be if published throughout the country if the conditions are not bad.
FUNSTON; Commanding,
SCHMITZ, Mayor
Official W. DUNNING, military, secretary
NO MORE RELIEF BODIES DESIRED
By Associated Press.
OAKLAND April 22 — M. H. Flint. Annul master of Masons of California; today received a message from Los Angeles asking for his advice regarding the advisability of opening a headquarters In. this city, for, the especial benefit of Los Angeles people. In response, he stated that in his opinion it was neither necessary nor desirable to establish any more relief bodies than now exist.
EIGHTEEN BABES BORN ON SUNDAY
by Herald Stall Correspondent.
Los Angeles Herald
SAN FRANCISCO, April 22. — Golden Gate park was the birthplace today of eighteen human beings. Surrounded by evidences of one of the world's most stupefying horrors, brave little women became mothers, and tonight in the City’s former pleasure ground it may be heard the moans and infantile cries of parent and child. Sympathetic testers are busy in improvising tiny garments for, the babes who will never realize the conditions under which they were ushered into
this world, while other tender hands are ministering to the needs of the mothers. Stricken and demoralized persons are forgetting for the time being the seriousness of their situation and gaze with tenderness and human interest upon the little babes that are inhaling freshening breezes wafted in from Golden Gate. In each case mother and baby are doing, well, and every, comfort that intensified sympathy can devise is being extended.
CITY MOURNS DEATH OF FIRE CHIEF
by Herald Stall Correspondent.
Los Angeles Herald
SAN. FRANCISCO, April 22.— Chief D. J. Sullivan of San Francisco's fire department passed away at 1:10 o'clock this morning from the effects of the injuries received on the morning of the earthquake. Chief Sullivan and his wife were sleeping in the fire house adjoining the California' hotel on Bush street. The earthquake shook down the chimney of the hotel and sent It crashing through the fire house. Chief Sullivan and his wife were carried with the debris two stories to the, ground floor where they were extricated after great difficulty. The Chief and Mrs. Sullivan were at once taken to the Southern Pacific hospital at Fourteenth and Mission streets, but when the flames reached the Mission district they were again moved, this time to the general hospital at the Presidio. It was found that Chief Sullivan was suffering from a fractured skull, four broken ribs and other Injuries. Eddie Graney, was with Chief Sullivan from the time he was removed from the fire house until his death. Mr. Graney: today stated that, “Chief Sullivan never knew there was a fire." After recovering consciousness the chief took great interest in the affairs of the city being always apprehensive that a fire would break out. He knew from the first that he would die from his Injuries, but never forgot the Interests of his department. His mind seemed to dwell on the need by the city of a salt water fire fighting plant, and he repeatedly spoke to his friends of the Increasing, necessity for such an adjunct to the fire department of the city. Mrs. Sullivan, who suffered serious Injuries, “has progressed satisfactorily and It Is believed that she will recover."
Main News Section
STRICKEN CITY MORE HOPEFUL
By Ben Blow
PLENTIFUL WATER SUPPLY IS OBTAINED
PEOPLE OF STRLCKEN CITY BLEST NAME ANGELENOS WHO ARE SO NOBLY RESPONDING TO APPEALS
BOUNTIFUL WATER IS SOURCE OF MUCH REJOICING
SAN FRANCISCANS TAKE NEW GRIP ON ROUTINE OF LIFE
CITIZENS SAY REGULAR ARMY SOLDIERS ARE RENDERING MOST VALUABLE SERVICE AND ORDER IS AGAIN: RESTORED
1906 April 23
'I have been over the entire city of San Francisco and have found no Los Angeles people in the list of dead.
In three days I have seen order brought out of chaos.
I have seen thousands of hungry people supplied with food in plenty. I have seen men, women and children; who have knelt in the gutter to catch a few drops of water, drink with the joy that only a thirsty man can feel —drink until they could drink no more.
San Francisco the day before the earthquake was a wonderful city, San Francisco the day after the earthquake was a pitiable ruin, but today San Francisco is a monument to what strong men can do in the time of awful distress.
San Francisco is not off the map. True, one-third of the city Is gone, but that is all. The men who are at the head of affairs are leaving nothing undone which human efforts can do toward restoring that third.
West of Van Ness avenue all Is safe. Only the paneless windows and shattered glass which covers the streets tell of the disaster in this part of the city.
PLEAD PITIFULLY FOR WATER
Water, at first the great want of the city, has been supplied, and in plenty. Today connection with Lake Merced was re-established and as a result thirteen million gallons of water was placed at the disposal of the city.
What that water means to San Francisco only those who were here today can fully realize.
I hope I shall never see a more mournful sight than the pleading looks or hear anything more pitiful than the cries of the children who wanted water.
"If I could just have a little bit of a drink I think I would be able, to go on," I heard one, tiny child say yesterday as It clung to its mother's skirts.' She was trudging toward Golden Gate park, that refuge for all.
I wish I could have seen that baby face today. I should like to have seen her drink water as I saw others drink it—as if they were drinking new life, new hope, new strength for that which is yet to come.
BLESS THE ANGELENOS The sewers, or those which still remain, have been flushed and there la now no reason for fear of ' sickness. Sanitary Inspection of streets was begun yesterday and every precaution is being taken to prevent disease of all kinds.
On every hand there are words of praise for the, Los Angeles relief committee. As car after car filled with the food for which they people. have been; longing since Wednesday, came into their city, cries went up on every side "God;. bless Los Angeles."
Los Angeles: is the word on the, lips of the thousand and it is to that city that the people look for aid. Today there is food in plenty but the supply does not last long with the thousands of hungry people to.be fed.
The dynamiting of burned buildings was begun today and men were kept busy every moment clearing up the debris. As rapidly as possible the charred j ruins are being. pulled down: to; make way for the new buildings which will soon occupy the sites.
Since the first two days after the disaster there has been little looting and no rioting.
REGULARS ARE RELIABLE
The soldiers of the regular army are doing splendid work, but the beardless youths of the militia are unreliable and many citizens have been near rebelling many times against their wanton deeds.
I worked on the general relief committee Saturday and talked with Gavin McNab and Mayor Schmltz. These men, with 'General Funston, have saved the city. They have risen to every emergency and the people have complete confidence in them.
Oakland is jammed but happy. The people seem to give no time to thought of their losses, but everything is for the future. "How we shall build again" is the question which each is considering.
The Oakland ferries are packed. People of all classes crowd the boats from morning until night. The Chinese population seems to have entirely deserted San Francisco and most of them can they will never come back.
The fire is out. Only the blackened ruins now remain and it will not be many days before these will have appeared.
Work on the streets has been begun and It was announced that the street car system will be in working order by Tuesday.
If I had not seen the remarkable repair work which has already been done I could not believe this possible, for the down town streets have sunk five feet and many of them are lined with deep cuts, some five and six feet wide.
The fire insurance companies, both American and foreign, have announced that they will pay insurance and this has given much encouragement to the people.
The postal authorities began delivering mail this afternoon and by a new district registry system they expect to be able to handle the stacked up mall with little effort. No lights or fires are allowed In the as there is still danger that the escaping gas from the broken mains may become ignited and cause more havoc.
This Is the busiest place in the world today.
MANY BABES ARE BORN
It is the mothers of tiny babes who are suffering most, and even they take everything with a beautiful spirit. 'Eighteen babies were born today, making a total of seventy-eight since the earthquake. In Golden Gate park tents have been placed and everything is being done for the mothers. A blanket stretched against a fence has been the only shelter o£ some of the new born and a few have first viewed the world from a street car.
Several women are keeping house in the street cars and they count themselves fortunate.
With the few belongings they have paved from the wreck they are beautifying their temporary homes with all the joy of children playing house.
All the cooking is still done in the streets. The women build their fires in the gutters and many are the pictures, pathetic and humorous,, which the groups over the improvised furnaces make.
Regarding the yellow excursion trains there Is a reversion of feeling against what San Francisco people characterize a garish, crude and disgusting, attempt of a certain journalistic mountebank to coin a people s calamity into political capital for the aggrandizement of a possible candidate for political honors.
Source: Los Angeles Herald, Volume 33, Number 205, 23 April 1906 — STRICKEN CITY MORE HOPEFUL [CHAPTER]
STREET CAR SERVICE IS NOW'ENJOYED IN STRICKEN CITY
By Associated Press.
SAN FRANCISCO, April 22— San Francisco is not now without passenger transportation. Cars are running down Fillmore street today and appear to have plenty of power. The service Is free to all with the exception of boys. The cars on Sutter and Pacific avenue will probably be run by horses. All the vehicles were run out of the car house and saved.
Source: Los Angeles Herald, Volume 33, Number 205, 23 April 1906 — STREET CAR SERVICE IS NOW'ENJOYED IN STRICKEN CITY [ARTICLE]
SEVERAL HUNDRED BODIES CREMATED
By Assonated Press.
SAN FRANCISCO, April 22.— Two hundred bodies found in the Potrero district south of Channel street in the vicinity of the Union Iron works were cremated at the Six Mile House yesterday by order of Coroner Walsh.
This information was obtained at the board of health headquarters today. Some of the dead were the victims of falling buildings from the earthquake shock, some were killed in the fire, but it is believed by the board of health that the majority died from ptomaine poisoning. So many dead were found in this limited area that cremation was deemed absolutely necessary to prevent disease.
The names of some of the dead were learned, but In the majority of cases Identification was Impossible owing to the mutilation of the features.
A systematic search for bodies of the victims of the earthquake and fire is being made today by the coroner and the state board of health inspectors.
The city has been divided Into sanitary districts and squads of searchers have been sent out to every quarter. The ruins of the burned buildings in the business and the old residence section have sufficiently cooled to make the search possible.
The body of an Infant was found In the center of Union street near Dupont this morning. There was nothing by which it could be identified. It was learned, however, that a number of people had camped at this place and It is presumed that the child was left when the party was forced to move.
Three bodies were found today in the remains of a house on Harrison street between First and Second, They had been burned beyond all possibility of identification. They were burled on the North Beach at the foot of Van Ness avenue.
The body of a man was found In the middle of Silver street between Third and Fourth. A bit of burned envelope was found In the pocket of the vest bearing the name "A. Houston.''
At noon today reports have been made by deputies sent out by the board of health of the finding of twenty-three bodies in various parts of the city. Few of them could be Identified. The bodies were burled In various places and the graves numbered.
Source: Los Angeles Herald, Volume 33, Number 205, 23 April 1906 — SEVERAL HUNDRED BODIES CREMATED [ARTICLE]
MINT TO FURNISH MONEY TO BANKS
STOREHOUSE FILLED WITH GOLD TO BE PLACED AT THE COMMAND OF LARGE
FINANCIAL INSTFTUTLONS.
By Associated Press.
SAN FRANCISCO. April 23.— One fortunate condition still remains with San Francisco.
There is an abundance of gold. and silver coin available, in .the vaults' of the United States branch mint in this city.
The mint had almost completed its coinage for the fiscal year when the earthquake and fire , interrupted this operation. A visit to the mint disclosed the fact that the damage done is comparatively trivial, only one or two rooms in the building being touched by the flames. The furnaces and grate chimneys will be ready to start up at an hour's notice if suitable power can be obtained, and it is possible that a speedy makeshift for power may soon be arranged if the early future should warrant such a step. Mr. Leach, superintendent of the branch mint, said day:
MINT IS INTACT
"The mint Is intact. No damage has been done to the inside either by earthquake or fire. We are ready to resume business just as soon as the public wants us to do so. All of our men have been at their posts since Wednesday ready to meet any demand, but the outside financial system is not yet in shape to use money .
"The financial interests of the city must organize first and establish themselves in "temporary quarters before they' will be in a position either to receive or pay out money.
"We have in the vaults of the mint an, abundance of money; In fact, more than San Francisco needs. Secretary of the Treasury Shaw is fully alive to the situation and has instructed me to turn over money to banking institutions whenever needed."
SUB-TREASURER OPENS OFFICE
Sub-treasurer Jacobs opened his office In the mint today. Until he can get his books and papers the mint will make necessary transfers of money. "Thus far we have had no demands for money,"; continued Superintendent Leach. "We have had about a dozen transfer orders, but no one has called for money.
"We are almost through with our coinage operations for the year, and the only thing now lacking to start up is the want of power.
"We will give up all our spare rooms for commercial purposes. I have conferred with all of the representative bankers here and in Oakland, and will continue to keep in touch with their needs." '
Source: Los Angeles Herald, Volume 33, Number 206, 24 April 1906 — MINT TO FURNISH MONEY TO BANKS [ARTICLE]
MODERN BUILDING TO RISE FROM CITY'S RUINS
PROCLAMATION IS NOT WELL RECEIVED
SAN FRANCISCO PEOPLE RESENT CHARGE THAT CHINESE HAVE BEEN NEGLECTED BY RELIEF COMMITTEES IN ANY WAY
SPIRIT OF FORTY-NINERS ASSERTS ITSELF AND BRAVE MEN SMILE
COMMAND EESENTED BY MAYOR
PROCLAMATION OF THE PRESIDENT BRINGS CONSTERNATION
EVERYONE SATISFIED WITH WAY SUPPLIES ARE DISTRIBNTED
CHINESE ARE GRANTED SAME PRIVILEGES AND FURNISHED WITH IDENTICAL RATIONS THAT OTHERS RECEIVE
By Associated Press.
SAN FRANCISCO, April 24.—This was the seventh day since the earthquake jarred the city so severely and started the fires that laid it in ashes, and as with the preceding days, Tuesday took up the accumulated impetus, of Monday and added such volume of force of its own that Wednesday will dawn on a situation that is a long way toward the normal.
Such marts of trade as remain burned were opening for the transaction of ordinary business.
Temporary structures were being run up for the accommodation of others.
Clearing of the devastated area of its ruins was well under way. The inquiry into the condition of the bank vaults was completed. T
The organization and preparation for service of the street railways were so far advanced that the company expressed its readiness to resume business as soon as the mayor would permit. The water company announced the completion of such repairs us enabled it to supply a total of 12,000,000 gallons dally.
In fine, there was all the evidence to put at rest now and forever the fears of those who predicted that San. Francisco would never rise again.
ORDER NOT WELL RECEIVED
The citizens of San Francisco had done so splendidly in the face of such an appalling catastrophe that consternation was created this morning when President Roosevelt's proclamation was read turning over to Dr. Edward Devine of the National Red Cross the management of relief treasures, the distribution of the great.' funds so generously appropriated by congress and recommending to the people of the United States that their collections of food and supplies and money should be diverted Into the same hands.
At a conference at Fort Mason attended to Gens. Greely and Funston, Mayor Schmitz, Governor Pardee, Dr. Devine and others, it was agreed that this was the case and that Dr. Devine himself should frame a telegram to the president informing him of the splendid work already done and of his perfect willingness to assist in forwarding the measures already taken.
THE LAST STRAW
What hurt even more keenly than this was the suggestion made in the letter from President Roosevelt to Secretary of War Taft that reports had reached him that less charity was being shown the Chinese who dwell here than the whites and directing that If this be true the situation should be remedied at once.
If the people of San Francisco are not In love with the Chinese, it was felt that the name they have earned in the past for charity and open heartedness should have saved them from any possible reflection that they would have permitted any human being, white, black or yellow, within their reach to suffer.
A special message was sent him signed by the constituted authorities recounting the exact facts. The message was as follows: THE MESSAGE SENT
San Francisco, April 24.—President Theodore Roosevelt, White House, Washington, D. C: All reports that the people or the officials of the relief committees of San Francisco are making any distinction in relieving, succoring or protecting the Chinese or any other peoples differing in race or color are totally false and entirely unfounded.
The committees and, even the, homeless sufferers themselves are treating the Chinese and all other fellow unfortunates with the consideration and kindness worthy of our civilization and our country. The people of San Francisco are striving with all their heart to relieve their destitute, care for their sick, protect their helpless and uplift their stricken, Irrespective of race, creed or color, in accordance with the dictates of humanity, in a manner worthy of Americans and In the common brotherhood of man. Please give press.
(Signed) E. E. SCHMITZ. Mayor.
W. W. MORROW, President Red Cross
T. J. SYMMIES, President Merchants' Association.
J. D. PHELAN, Treasurer Relief Committee.
RABBI VOORSANGER, Committee Relief of Hunger.
KATHKKINE C. FKLTON, Secretary Associated Charities.
FAIRFAX H. WHKKL.AJN, Committee Sick and Helpless.
RELIEF WORK GOES ON
The work of housing and feeding the homeless and of reconstructing the sanitary conditions already so far advanced Monday, was carried on with tremendous energy. It is certain that no one is hungry in San Francisco tonight, unless he is willfully so.
There is food for all, and the method of distribution has been so perfect that It is within reach of all.
As for the health and sanitary conditions they are, considering all circumstances excellent. An investigation of the sewers has shown that they were not so badly damaged as was feared and where there were breaks these have been repaired; There has been no outbreaks of disease of a contagious character, nor is any feared, and as for those pulmonary diseases that might be expected to be prevalent in such a crisis they are chiefly notable by their absence.
HOSPITALS BEING EMPTIED
The hospitals which in the first few days were crowded by great numbers, are discharging them by the score. These facts speak in stentor tones for the energy and skill of the physicians and surgeons and nurses who have had these Institutions in their charge.
In the great green stretches of the Golden Gate park, famed the world over for Its beauty, there have arisen frame shelters for 4000 people.
No millionaire in the land has so magnificent setting for his home as have these waifs of the great San Francisco fire.
There are still some who are tenting on the same grounds, but this Is purely a matter of choice. There Is still considerable want of blankets, bedding and cots and when this has been met, as possibly it will be in the next twenty-four hours, the condition of these unfortunates will, in view of all that has happened, be almost ideal.
WANT ALL TO REMAIN
For some days San Francisco showed an unwonted eagerness to get rid of its people. That period has passed. There is no further anxiety when the measures of relief under way throughout the country are considered that she will not be able properly to care for all those who remain.
Of these able-bodied mechanics and laborers she has especial need and she Is making every endeavor to hearten them and Induce them to come. They are answering her call nobly.
The city la not yet In sight of the resumption of banking business. There was an Inspection today of the bank vaults in the burned district, and in no Instance were they found to have been destroyed.
But it is realized that an early opening would endanger their perishable contents, and in order that this may be avoided some weeks must elapse until they are thoroughly cooled before they are entered.
And in the meantime business will be done at temporary quarters with money furnished through the medium of the mint and the United States sub-treasury.
MILITARY RULE MAINTAINED
Military police rule, irksome at all times to the civilian, is still maintained. Yet there is some amelioration of its severity. The soldiery of the militia, having given some cause of complaint by impressing men when It was necessary that work should be done, they wore warned this evening in a letter sent by Mayor Schmltz to General Roster that this city was not and never had been under martini law, and that the Impressment of citizens would not longer be tolerated.
DEVINE MEETS COMMITTEES
Late this afternoon Dr. Edward Devine of the national Red Cross, acting for the secretary of war, met the heads of the various subcommittees of the general relief committee and in a few words removed whatever misapprehension there might be as to the intent and scope of his work here.
“I have come here to see, hear and report," he said, "and my chief aim is to co-operate with you and to carry on the work you have so well begun."
It was decided by this meeting that the finance committee should be reconstructed so as to Include the Red Cross fund and henceforth the official title of this most Important committee will be the finance committee of the relief and Red Cross funds.
EVERYONE NOW IS EQUAL
Many sidelights of an Interfiling character might be thrown on each situation here, but without question that which the millionaire and pauper stand today in this. community.
To see the man of unlimited means shouldering the poverty stricken laborer in the long lines extending from the bake shops where the bread is dispensed Is almost as much of a spectacle as was the great fire Itself.
TWO MADE ONE
Walter Arnstein and Miss Alice Sussman were married by Superior Judge Lawlor at the jurist's residence, 2120 Jackson street today. At the time of the earthquake Miss Sussman had been In a hospital for three days In preparation for an operation for appendicitis. After the disaster came, however, the operation was deferred, and Arnstein, who was about to leave for New York, induced Miss Sussman to wed at once and make the trip to the metropolis their honeymoon. A marriage license ,was Immediately secured in Alameda county and the ceremony performed by Judge Lawlor.
Arnstein is the son of the New York banker. His bride is a daughter of Mrs. Sussman of the San Francisco firm of Sussman & Wormser.
WILL REMAIN IN SAN FRANCISCO
Representatives of eastern railroads, whose offices were destroyed, acting under Instructions from their headquarters, have decided to follow the example set by the Southern Pacific officials and will not even temporarily abandon locations In this city. Some of the agencies removed to Oakland will return, while other roads will maintain offices both here and across the bay.
Before noon today practically all the essential departments of the Southern Pacific were In operation.
During the hours of the morning every available employe of the company was engaged In arranging for the handling of the great press of business filed by the arrival of food supplies.
OFFICIALS DO JANITOR WORK
New office furniture consigned to dealers who have no use for it was hurriedly unpacked from cases and carried Into the nave of the ferry building, where provision has been made for all eastern railroad agencies not elsewhere accommodated.
The leading coast officials of the company, Including Messrs. Sproule. Fee, Shoup and Horsburgh, took off their coats and carried desks and chairs up the stairways until enabled to begin the actual transaction of business.
Traffic Director J. C. Stubbs confirmed the statement that the main offices of the Southern Pacific would remain in San Francisco.
A force of men today commenced reconstruction of the ferry building tower, the upper half of which will have to be replaced with material of different character. A quantity of the wood and Iron work to be used In restoring the tower arrived on the wharf today. At the office of the harbor commission it was said that the lower would be the same height and the remainder of the building has been pronounced perfectly safe for the time being.
Source: Los Angeles Herald, Volume 33, Number 207, 25 April 1906 — MODERN BUILDING TO RISE FROM CITY'S RUINS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]
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