The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1906-04-24
City Devastated by Fire That
Followed Earthquake.
LOSS OF LIFE NOT KNOWN
Estimates Of Number Of Dead
Vary From ESQ to 5000.
POOR AND WEALTHY SUFFER ALIKE

Metropolis Wiped Out by the Blaze.
Loss May Reach 100000, 900 Heath
Of People Preserved by Prompt Meas
ures of anitation-HomeIess Being
Cared For RapidIy--city's Business
Men and Property Owners Preparing
to Rebuild City of the Golden Gate.
Bank Vaults Saved From Flames.
People Not Renunnbed by Calamity
and Planning For Future, Although
Thousands Of Persons Are Leaving.
San Francisco April a The fire
that followed the earthquakes in this
city and in nearby cities and towns
left three fourths Of San Francisco in
ashes. Every business building is gone
and very large part of the residential
section.
Earthquake and fire have caused the
greatest disaster America has ever
known. San Francisco three-quarters
ruined, 100000 of its people homeless
and depending on charity for food and
shelter, its business district complete
liz gone and its industry at standstill
such is only a brief summary of the
suffering that his visited the metropo-
lis of the Pacific coast San Francisco
is not alone in its misery. for about a
score of other cities and towns in the
adjacent territory hundred miles
north and south have also suffered loss
of life and property.
The first shock came shortly after
o'clock Wednesday morning, April IS.
They caused many of the houses OF the
city at first to creak and groan and
then to fall into the streets and into
one another, burying hundreds beneath
the ruins. Almost Immediately the ru-
ms took fire and the flames spread to
houses left intact by the quake The
danes started in hundreds Of places
and burned for thirty-six hours, .leav-
Ing behind them a scene of desolation
unprecedented in American history.
Water Supply Cut Off.
The earthquake shock broke most of
the 0ltys water MAINS making it inn
possible for the fire department to fight
the flames They were permitted to
rage unchecked save for such opposi-
ton as could be made by dynamiting
row after row of houses. Such efforts
were made III vain, and mansions. cot
fages and huts were sacrificed without
staying the fire. Only the western adj
dition to the city and portion of the
southern part remained untouched.
Very soon after the disaster began
Mayor Schmitz realized that ordinary
measures of government would be of lit
tie avail in preserving order and taking
care of the homeless refugees, and the
federal military forces and the militia
were called on to act as police. Gen
eral Funston, commanding at the Pre-
eidio, took charge and succeeded adj
1nirably in preserving order. He has
now been relieved by General A. W.
Greedy, his superior officer.
Most Of San Francscos public build
ings were wrecked by the earthquakes
and subsequent fires. Among them
were the new city hall, costing $1,000
Coo The United States subtreasury is
gone, but the mint was saved by heroic
work of its employees and the firemen.
The vaults of all the city banks were
untouched, and the money and com
merclal papers are safe. The real es-
tate records of the city were also
saved.
Scenes of indescribabe terror and
confusion followed the earthquakes,
the populace rushing into the streets
after being thrown from their beds,
only to be felled in the open by falling
bricks, stones and timbers. Many
graphic stories of narrow escapes are
told. Those who remained indoors.
only to be driven out later by fire, gen
orally escaped serious injury, although
many We're hurt by flying pictures,
overturned furniture and articles
thrown down by the shock. San Fran
cisco has always been subject to earth
quakes, but all accounts agree in
ascribing to Wednesdays tremor
greater severity than ever before ex-
perienced.
Fire Chief Killed.
Among the dead is Fire Chief Sulli-
van, who was fatally injured by flying
bricks. He was hurt by the first shock
and took no part in combating the FIRE.
although very little could be accom-
plished in that direction by even the
most experienced fire fighters owing to
the absolute lack of water
The same lack of water later caused
as much distress as the first lack OF
food, many survivors telling of going
two days without drink of any sort.
Within three days, however, a number
Of mains sufficient to supply the needs
of the city to some extent were re-
paired
Immediately after the disaster May
or SchInftz and Governor Pardee is
sued an appeal TO the nation for helm
The response has been magnincens
money and supplies flowing in imme
saiately. Train loads and boat loads al
most without number are reaching the
city, and the relief fund is swelling ia
great proportions. According to one re
liable estimate, $18,00OOOO has beer
raised to help San Franciscos suffer
ers, and the subscription lists have
been opened only a few days. Con.
Gress has led the way with an approi
prsation of S2,500O00.
Pneumonia Thrsatsns Homeless.
With the danger of pestilence from
gunsanitary Conditions averted. new