The Topeka state journal., 1906-04-24
BRIDE FLEES IN AUTO.
Earthquake Ends the Honeymoon Of
a Chicago Couple.


says: OF all the Chicagoans who ex-
perienced the San Francisco earth
quake, few met with more thrilling
adventures and escapes than Mr.. and
Mrs. John H. Ryan, 50 Macalister
place. who arrived home yesterday
after a three months wedding tour of
Japan, the Hawaiian islands, and Cali
fornia.
Their honeymoon almost came to
an unfortunate termination on the
morning of the earthquake, for the
Young couple, stopping at the st.
Francis hotel, barely escaped with
their lives. Mr.. and Mrs. Ryan last
night told of their flight from the
hotel. how they. barely had time to
secure clothing, how they ran to.
Union square, seeing bodies strewn.
about the park. and how, after hours
of fearful suspense and terror, they
got out of the city in an automobile.
They were married at the home OF
the brides mother, Mrs. Mary O'Neil-
$50 Douglas boulevard, December 80.
They sailed a few days later for Japan
Rturning, they stopped at Honolulu,
and arrived in San Francisco on Fri
day, April 13. Mrs Ryan believes the
date must have boded i'll luck for
them.
tThe shock almost threw US to the
| floor" she began. ''Mr. Ryan looked
out the window to see what had hap
pened. Realizing we were in danger
we rushed into the hail and asked a
man what had struck US. It's an
earthouake' he said. and you had
better get downstairs.
I didn't have time to make any
choice about what / should wear.
pulled on some white slippers and
threw over my shoulders a heavy coat
/ Mr. Ryan didn't do much better
Then we both raced downstairs The
first person I saw running down the
/ corridor was the captain of the boat
on which we came from Honolulu.
/ The singer, Caruso, was almost frantic.
"They wouldn't let US upstairs for
fear something would fall on US, but
finally they allowed US to go up long
enough to get something to wear
s'Then all the guests huddled in the
I dining room and Office Another
shock came. BY this time we were
faint from excitement, so they served
US coffee and rolls in the dining room.
Then they told US to seek safer
place.
1--WE went out into Union square,
opposite, and awaited Developments.
Buildings were falling everywhere and
soon newspaper carts and wagons Of
all kinds began bringing bodies to the
square.
1The bodies were uncovered and
were piled promiscuonsly about. Ref
ugees came along with canary cages
and other strange bundles. Soon
after we reached the park the flames
began to leap up.-SAll Market street
was ablaze. We hardly knew which
way to turn.
dAt Ii o'clock that morning. when
we still were almost -dazed. an auto
mobile came along up Market street,
Mr.. Ryan rushedaout and asked the
chauffeur to- take sus out of town. He
finally consented after he had made
US pay him $3.50. Soldiers halted us,
for the street was blocked. A squad
! of soldiers came marching along on
their way 70 guard the mint. You
cant imagine what courage those
men gave us as they calmly and brave
/ ly passed by.
Finally we got out of the city by
| the Mission road. We reached Palo
Alta at o'clock and there saw the
ruins at Leland Stanford. We met a
Chicago boy and he cried for home
when he learned we were from the
same place. We were all so excited
we didn't ask his name. We got into
San Jose at p. m and found the
city badly shaken up and many hu'
Fe train that night, and we are glad
to get back home safe.
I'VE lost everything. even our we'd
ding outfit. I lost all of my wedding
trousseau. We never will forget oul
honeymoon"
The Ryans are believed to be tn,
first people who got out of San Fran
cisco. Mr. Ryan said he would have
Jumped out of the window of the
hotel at the time of the quake if his
wife had not held him