The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-04-09
AFRAIDOF THE DEVIL
Oakland People Scared BY the
Woodwork Prophecy.
HUNDREDS DEsERT THEIR HOMES


OAxLAsp. Cal, April s.-Excitement
among the followers Of Mrs Woodworth
and other prophets Of the destruction Of
San Francisco and Oakland grows more
intense AZ the time named in their visions
for the catastrophe draws near.
According 10 the prophecy yesterday WAS
the last day TO escape from the two cities.
o. the railroad should now be crippled so
that no more trains can 60 out So be-
Eeyers made . rush to get away by last
night
This morning many Oakland families
found themselves without breakfast. Cooks
and servant girls have gone to the noun
tains- Swedish and Norwegian girls made
up by far the greater number Of Mrs
Woodworth's followers.
Last week vas TO have been the week Of
signs and wonders These did mot come,
but the believers' faith has not been
shaken On Sunday night they believed
they were vouchsafed an omen, and now
their faith is stronger than ever. On that
night number of people noticed rain
bow in the northern sky. This lunar rain
bow. they declare, is . sure sign sent to
confirm them in their faith.
In Berkeley and about Watts Tract the
prophecy has caused the most commotion,
and quite . number of houses in these dis
tricts are shut up. Their tenants have
taken whatever they considered most valu-
able. and have fed to high ground. Quite
. number have taken to Grizzly peak and
other SUBMITS of the Berkeley hills There
they propose TO remain until the waters
have subsidized, and they are to be the
founders Of towns that viii occupy the
sites OF the drowned cities. Some OF these
have taken tents and regular camping out
fits. with provisions enough to last week.
DIR. George Smith, Mrs. Woodworth's
chief lieutenant, has followed her to the
MONTANA. The doctors faith has been
shaken considerably by recent events. He
said that he did not feel certain that an
earthquake was coming, but that he did
not propose TO take chances. Besides, his
practice here has been ruined by the inter-
est he has shown in the prophecy, and he
must leave Oakland on that account if not
on any other. He has gone to Dunear's
mills. Among those who have left Oak.
land because Of the prophecy are: T. M.
johnson. who sold out his house and lot
near Posen station; John Frazer, rail-
road hand; A. z. Thyberg. cabinetmaker.
and J. 6hey. his neighbor: Mrs. f. Stewart,
East Berkeley. widow; William Egglcston
Of West Oakland: Isaac Wixom, horse
trader; Mrs. NJ. +. Layey, Mrs. John Tye
and William Girard.
Sophie 6wanberg and Augusta Lands
berg have closed their little shop and will
stay away until the season of danger is
passed.
Mrs. Driscol, who only recently arrived
in Oakland from Winnipeg has sold her
newly bought furniture and gone with her
children to St Helena.
Many moro have gone. but ~ rule they
are afraid Of being ridiculed and win not
acknowledge that their purpose in going is
to avoid the delugc.
But at the railroad depots there were
many waiting for trains to start loaded
down with their effects Railroad people
say that great deal Of household furni-
ture has been shipped to Santa Rosa, st.
Helena and other interior points within
tho past few days. Sacramento also ap-
pears to be favorite place OF refuge.
Ii Was said in Oakland yesterday that
half the believers had gone to Sacramento,
their purpose being to get on the dome Of
the capitol ii the flood runs up the river.
Meanwhile other prophets are springing
up. Three more people claim to have seen
the destruction Of the cities In a vision.
All those who have had visions have taken
warning and fed