The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1906-04-21


Oakland, Cal, April Earthquake
and fire to-day have caused the grea--
est calamity California has ever
known. In San Francisco alone it is
estimated that 500 have perished,
while probably 900 are suffering from
injuries.
The financial loss is estimated AT
500 900, 600.
The entire business portion of the
city is in ruins, and the flames. which,
owing to the lack of water, cannot b.
checked except by the blowing up with
dynamite of buildings in their path,
are still sweeping through the streets.
Thousands of people are homeless and
many are huddled in the parks and
public squares, beside the household
goods they were able to save. The
city is under martial law, and all the
downtown streets are patrolled by
cavalry and infantry. Details Of troops
are also guarding the banks.
Most of the principal buildings have
already been destroyed and others are
in imminent danger. Over the scene OF
desolation hangs a dense pail Of
smoke.
The dreadful earthquake shock came
without warning at precisely BIS
this morning, its motion apparently be-
ing from east to west. AT first the up
heaval of the earth was gradual. but in
a few seconds it increased in intensity.
Chimneys began to fall and build
ings to crack, tottering on their toun-
dations. People became panic stricken
and rushed into the streets, most OF
them in their night attire. They were
met by showers of falling buildings,
bricks, cornices and walls. Many We're
instantly crushed to death, while 9th
ers We're dreadfully mangled,
Those who remained indoors gen
orally escaped with their lives, though
scores were hit by detached plaster,
pictures and articles thrown to the
floor by the shock. 1t is believed that
more or less loss was suffered by
nearly every family in the city.
The tall steel-frame structures stood
the strain better than brick buildings.
few of them being badly damaged. The
big seventeen-story Monadnock office
building, in course of construction, ad-
joining the Palace hotel, was an ex-
ception, however, its rear wall col
lapsing and many cracks being made
across its front.
Some of the freight sheds along the
water front slid into the bay. Deep
fissures opened in the iilled-in ground
near the shore, and the Union Ferry
depot was damaged. Its high tower
still stands, but will have to be torn
down.
A portion of the new City hall, which
cost more than s7,000,000, collapsed,
the roof sliding into the court yard,
and the smaller towers tumbling down,
the great dome being moved, but not
falling.
The new postoffice, one of the finest
in the United States, was badly shat
tered.
The Valencia hotel. four-story
structure sank into the basement,
pile of splintered timbers, under which
were pinned many dead and dying oc-
cupants Of the house.
The basement was full Of water and
some of the helpless victims were
drowned.
Scarcely had the earth ceased to
shake when fires broke out simultan-
eouslv in many places. The fire de-
partment promptly responded to the
first call for aid, but it was found that
luG WdleI Dldllo Ia" otNA -
useless by the underground movement.
Famed by light breeze, the flames
quickly spread and soon many blocks
were seen to be doomed.
Then dynamite was resorted to, and
the sound of frequent explosions added
to the terror of the people. All the ef-
forts to stay the progress OF the flre
proved futile. The south side or Mar
ket from Ninth street to the bay was
ablaze.
In this, the main thoroughfare OF the
city, are located many of the finest ed
ifices in the city, including the Grant.
Parrot, Flood, Call, Examiner and
Monadnock buildings, the Palace hotel
and many other fine buildings.
Buildings Destroyed.
San Francisco, April 1S.-Following
is an incomplete list of the principal
buildings destroyed or damaged:
Call building entirely destroyed.
Claus Spreckles building, gutted by
flames.
Hearst building, collapsed.
New Chronicle building, hardly dam
aged at all.
The White House, department store,
walls badly cracked; all plate glass
WINDOWS gone, every piece Ol Sloch III
building removed before $3.50 a. m.
Winchester hotel, Third street, to-
tally destroyed.
Grand Opera House, entirely de-
stroyed.
Claus Spreckels' house and stables,
badly damaged.
St. Lukes Episcopal church, Van
ness avenue, will have to be pulled
down.
Mechanics Library building, Post
street, cornices fell; building slightly
damaged.
Crocker building, Market and Post,
slightly damaged.
Lick house, walls and roof largely
caved in.
Upham building. Pine and Battery.