The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1906-04-26
SAD STORY
OF SAN JOSE
Was Destroyed With San
Francisco.
l0DEAD; HUNDREDS HURT
Whole City in Panic Rushed to
the Streets While Build
inss TumbIed.
lODEAD; HUNDREDS HURT

SAN JOSE, Cal, April 26.-Simul-
taneously with San Francisco at SIP
OH Wednesday morning the city Of San
Jose was practically destroyed in the
business center. and more than one
half Of the homes in the residence sec
lion We're so damaged or destroyed
that repairing will he beyond question.
The property loss is more than
SS,000,00e, but the horror Of it all is
that nineteen persons were killed and
more than 200 injured Five thousand
persons were rendered homeless and
destitute, and many rich and pros
porous mercantile firms were reduced
to beggary. The destruction came
without warning or promonition.
Suddenly there was roaring in the
air that came from nowhere IN par
ticular aud seemed to oil all space.
\ second ufterward came rocking Of
the earth That sent buildings swaying
and crashing to the ground rs II they
were chlldren's houses of sand, and an
instant later this was followed by
shock, more severe than the hrst.
which practically completed the de
struction begun by the first shock
People rudely hurled from their beds
ran into the streets In their night
clothes Men, women and children
huddled on the streets in rain OF
brick and stone. Building after build
ing came crashing to the ground under
the successive tremors OF the earth
until three fourths Of tina business
blocks Ia the heart of the city were
down or 81 badly wrenched that they
have SINCE had to he torn down. Fire
added IFS horror TO the calamity and
swept the Martin. Liberty, Black and
Guppy buildings, four Of the finest
business offices IN San Jose
Every street in the city was 10y this
time filed with screaming. crying PEG
Pile who dashed from swaying and
broken dwellings roomiug houses and
hotels to escape the almost certain
death OF remaining. Even the worst
earthquake shock has its end, and in
few moments those who were calm
enough to think realized that the shock
was over aud they were safe for the
time being nj least
Collecting their senses and mastering
their courage as many as could do so
returned TO their homes and clothed
themselves and again sought the
reefs to try TO estimate the disaster
HAT had befallen the city.
Martial law was declared. Directly
all Of the saloons were closed, and 200
special policemen and deputy sheriffs
were sworn in to assist the regular
police and military in preserving law
and order.
In the business part Of the town the
worst destruction was wrought Even
before one reached the main streets of
the city the extent Of the calamity be
gan to be realized The handsome and
massive brick building of the Roman
Catholic Church Of st. Patrick. costing
more rhRn $4,000, situated at Santa
Clara and Ninth streets, was a ruin.
The Martin, Liberty and Louise build
ings were wrecked by the shock and
then the ruins We're burned by fire
starting from lights burning therein.
In the wreck of the Hotel Costa, In
Market street, FIVE dead bodies were
found. and seven guests were taken out
seriously hurt
Two thousand dollars damage was
sustained from the earthquake at the
Soldiers home at Yountville, Cal