Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-02

; on the morning of April IS by the familiar
Il not altogether pleasant feeling of being
rocked in my bed as If I were in a boat on
a rough sea and the familiar sound of rat
ting windows and lettering ornaments.
But 1t did not take me long to discover
that the earthquake was unusually severe.
l could see a chandelier swinging in a
thirty-degree arc; ornaments began to fall
and shatter; was struck violently the
head by something. and, at the same time,
almost buried in an avalanche of books
that were spilled from case above my
bed. When the vibration ceased and 1
arose found fragments OF heavy porcelain
ornaments on my pillow and wreckage on
all sides. ] bleeding profusely from
a severe wound on my scalp. When | had
dressed. righted things somewhat and
reached the street l found there crowd
of people varlously attired viewing the
wreckage of chmneyS that had fallen. The
first objective of many was a nefghboring
HILL from the crest of which could be seen
on every street hundreds of people running
about like a swarm of excited insects.
In the heart of the city several fires had
begun to burn and were making awful
Roadway. In every direction could be seen
the stumps of countless chimneys, large
and small. Tall brick tunnels had crurn-
bled half away, and the form of many
spires had been changed by the loss OF
pieces of masonry. Beyond. on the blue
waters of the bay-one of the most beau
tiful IN the world-a number of ships rode
easily at anchor their crews, no doubt, un-
conscious of what had happened.
BY the time had had two stitches taken
in my scalp rumors of destruction and
death began to come from all quarters.
The fires grew with great rapidity and
broke out In new places. 1t was the be-
ginning of the real disaster The crowds
began to go down into the city TO guard
their interests or see them consumed Very
early in the day Gen Funston sent cavalry
to the fire line. The soldiery took charge
OF the situation, and things quickly took on
the appearance OF organization. The
streets in the danger zone were cleared and
fire lines were stretched.
1t was about this time that the stream of
refugees began to Invade the safer districts.
The sound of trunks being dragged over the
pavements, which was. to continue and In
crease for three days, began to be heard.
In this first migration from that section
where the poorer classes lived wretched
creatures swarmed into the center of the
city. The halt and the sick dragged them
selves along among men robust, alert and
active In their efforts for the general good.
/ saw ne family, inexpressBbly squalid,
huddled at the entrance of the most fash
ionable jewelry store in the city. Union
| Square. near the center of the town, was
filled with people Of all classes. Here the
members OF the Metropolitan Opera Com
pany had fed from their hotels. They had
lost everything and were inconsolable.
Caruso became excited beyond measure,
and 1t took hours to quiet him. Provision
was speedily made for the opera company
by the Family Club, where they were tenn
porarily housed and fed. In the Bohemian
Club an abundance of supplies was laid In
early in the day, and the members were
guaranteed against starvation. 1t was only
q matter of a few hours, however, before
the Bohemian and Family Clubs were wiped
out of existence. The valuable collection of
pictures in the former club was only partly
saved.
Another visit to the top of Russian Hill
showed that the fires had defined them
selves into an irregular semi-circle which
followed the line of the water front and
wrapped the city Just below lay the Latin
quarter OF San Francisco, as yet perfect
ly safe from fire, but almost completely de-
serted by Its former Inhabitants, who were
chiefly Italians. These the calamities of
Calabria and Naples fresh in their minds
were more fearful OF possible earthquakes
that might follow than of the fire which
was the real source of peril. On the top
OF Russian Hill are great open spaces COW
cred with grass, and here the Latins gath
cred in groups surrounded by their house.
hold goods, bedding, bird cages, trunks,
bags and boxes. and in some instances
carved images of the holy family all piled
Unfortunately together.
Further Damage by Fire.
AS the fire advanced important buildings
that had been considered safe were seen
to be in flames. A number of skyscrapers
of the most modern type caught FIRE and
part or the whole of their interiors were
consumed. Down town squads of soldiers
were guarding the banks the mint and tie
snbtreasury, others kept back the crowds