The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1906-04-26
FRISCO IS DESTROYED
Fire Completes Destruction Com
menCed by Earthquake Only
Small Portion was Saved.

A brief announcement of the terrible
earthquake which visited the city of
San Franciso on Wednesday morning Of
last week was in the last issue of The
REPORTER, but the first news of the
disaster conveyed but slight idea of
the awful catastrophe, for added to the
damage done by the earthquake shocks
was that terrible demon fire, and it was
not until Sunday that the flames were
under control, and then only about one
fourth of the residence district was
saved, while practically the entire busi-
city was in ruiys y. !. ale the loss of life
yet impossible CITES fow many lives
were lost, TO- $50 es Of people were
imprisoned in the buildings which fell
and their bodies were consumed by the
fierce flames.
The first earthquake shock which
came about 5 o'clock in the morning vas
followed by another severe shock ar s
o'clock, and then for the next forty
eight hours slight shocks were eX-
perienced.
1t is estimated that more than 100000
people are homeless, and relief trains
were rushed to San Francisco from
every direction with food and clothing.
Congress Immediately appropriated a
million dollars, and then second
million, and large contributions were
made in all the larger cities, many in
dividuals contributing as high as a
hundred thousand dollars. Ex-mayor
Phelan of San Francisco, who is proba-
bly, the heaviest loser in the city, y,headed
the relief fund with contribution of a
million dollars.
The earthquake shocks broke the
water mains, and damaged nearly every
fire house in the city, and when the
flames burst forth the firemen could not
secure water to fight them with and
had to resort to the use of dynamite
and giant powder, tons and tons being
used to blow up costly buildings in the
vain hope of stopping the fire, but
high wind was blowing and the fire
swept everything before it, and it was
only when the wind changed and blew
back toward the burned districts that
the fire was brought under control.
The city was placed under martial law,
in charge of Gen. Funston. and the
government has rushed hundreds of
thousands of tents to the city in which
the homeless people will be housed un-
til the city can be rebuilt.
The loss by fire and earthquake is es-
timated at over S500,000,000, and while
much of it was insured there will he a
tremendous loss, and several insurance
companies will probably be put out of
business.
The Leland Stanford University, the
pride of the Pacific coast, was entirely
destroyed, only one building remaining
standing. The Agnew insane asylum,
six miles from Oakland collapsed, and
several hundred patients were killed.
Numerous other towns were injured,
among them Santa Rosa, fourishing
city of 1000 inhabitants, the entire
business section being burned and over
500 people lost their lives. Mrs. L. f.
Roberts, former resident of Leon, is
living at Santa Rosa. Nothing has been
heard from her, but as her name has not
appeared in the list of killed or injured
it is presumed that she escaped.
There were several former Leon
several days there was great anxiety
among their friends, but nearly all of
them have been heard from, and none
were injured. Frank Clark, son of Mr..
and Mrs. l. N. Clark of this city, had
moved from Kansas City to San Fran
cisco, about month ago and was en-
gagged in the grocery business at the
corner of Hayes and Webster streets.
A message was received from him Sat
urday morning, saying they were all
safe, but it is probable that his store
was destroyed, as the report of the fire
swept district takes in the corner of
Hayes and Webster. Roe Caster, jr.,
was employed in a big department store
on Market street, and also boarded at
hotel on the same street. AS it was on
this street that the greatest damage
was done, his parents were in terrible
suspense until a message was received
Sunday evening saying he was safe at
Oakland. The message had been sent
on Thursday morning, but as there were
thousands OF messages filed it was de-
layed four days. Monday morning the
following letter was received from Mr..
Caster:
Oakland California, April 49, 1906
Dear Home Folks;-Am here safe. Frisco is
tirely gone except out in the hills and they will go
before long, Can't describe what and exper-
ienced got out but my room mate is missing. OF
course don't knew whether he is alive not as our
hotel is gone The hotel right from us, the
ground opened and sank clear the roof in an
instant, and several hundred went with it. got out
and ran to the center of the street, stood there
second watching the buildings fall. The Hunter
hotel began to move towards me SO back to
dodge it and as did SO the whole thing fell in the
street, people and all. Then the buildings on the
other side began to move. ran back top of some
ruins, and people and buildings fell on top of the
ruined Hunter, covering up all that were in both.
That don't compare with some sights saw, in fact it
nothing compared with crowd of about 20 saw
buried and burned to DEATH They have been dyna-
miting and blowing up buildings to check the fire. but
all in vain 1t is said over 1000 were dead before
the fire broke out. happened to have $40 in my
pocket. lost all my clothes except what ha We on
good suit, but my other money, grips and clothes
are gone. But am fortunate. Was out Just In time
to view the destruction of the American hotel To
attempt to describe it in letter is impossible. 1
can't describe what along Mission street when
the buildings were destroyed No, don't like this
country Don't think Frisco will be built up for some
time no buildings or walls left in the business
section Will write again in a few days and tell you
if get along all right although it will be pretty
hard as have lost everything, but If work opens
up Monday will be all right. Well will close now
and go back and watch the rest of the city The
residences burning all sides. The business
part is already desert. ROE.
Guy Shinn, son of Mrs. Shinn, of
Eden township, was also resident of
San Francisco, living at 121 Fulton
street and no word has been received