The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1906-04-19
(Scripps News Association.)

(Scripps News Association)
OAKLAND, CAL, April 19.-When
The sun arose on San Francisco
Ibis morning the city was one vast
tesolate stretch. Where stood the
tallest buildings now only stand
piles Of brick, steel and stone. 1t
WAS a night Of horror. Panic strick-
en- thousands gathered In Golden
Gate park, houseless, homeless,
hungry and thirsty. Many spread
blankets but there was little sleep
FOR any as the continued dynamitins
told them of the destruction Of
scores of buildings in the hope Of
saving homes.
Thousands Of refugees are at
Black point, which now seems the
pnly safe place on the north end Of
the peninsula and their plight 10
pitifu'' ,tew having sufficient bed
ding.
The wasing Of the young are min.
pled with the means of the elders.
Desperate efforts by the water
company to repair the mains seem
fruitIess and no water has yet been
obtained. ,.1
The scarcity Of food 10 equally
serious. Food in the small stores
In the outlying districts is only suf.
hcient to last few hours.
The poor are forced to remain In
San Francisco, while others have
fled to Berkeley, Oakland and other
bay cities, but the accommodations
are not sufficient for all. In the
City Hall Place 500 refugees are
using overcoats and wraps for
blankets.
At daylight the fire had eaten its
way to the Hopkins Art Institute.
The Stanford residence Is burning
and the fremen are exhausted.
San Francisco Is positively DOOM
ed as the supply Of dynamite Is
again exhausted and no more build.
ings can be blown up to stop tho
progress Of the flames. There is
no human agency can stop the con-
Migration. Firemen are dropping
from exhaustion. Many people are
sleeping under wagons today, care
less as to the approach Of the
flames.
The situation could not be worse
unless a volcano began pouring hot
lava over the city.
SEATTLE, April 19.-A special
telephone message from Harry
6peas, the Stars representative,
who was sent to the scene of the
earthquake disaster yesterday, re-
ceived from Oakland this morning,
reports all wires down out of Oak
land save tho telephone.
Conditions In the stricken city
are lndescribabIe. At 8 this morn
Ing the fire was raging with greater
Intensity than ever and the entire
city Is declared to be doomed, in
Guiding the fashionable residences
on Van Ness avenue. There is no
water-even to drink, owing to the
destruction Of the water mains.
The broken gas mains have re-
suited In hundreds of fires In all
parts Of the city.
He interviewed Chairman PheIan
Of the relief committee, who re.
ports that 100000 people are home
less, 100000 out Of employment and
. property loss Of $4,000, 900 900.
Every fine building In the city is
either destroyed, ruined or doomed.
Every newspaper building and plan,
10 ruined or wiped out of existence,
Including the magnificent buildings
Of the Call, Chronicle and Exam.
liner. The Daily News plant Is ut.
ferly destroyed and abando ned.
The city Is In charge Of federal
troops, assisted by 5000 special po-
lice.
Governor Pardee arrived last
night and 10 now In charge Of the
situation, assisted by Mayor
SchrItz, James D. PheIan and Gen.
eral Funston. No one Is allowed
to enter the city without a special
permit, but outgoing ferries are
taking out thousands, and Il Ia be-
l'eved that no one will be left there
by tomorrow except guards and the
homeless ones. Thousands Of tents
are now In Union Square and Gold.
en- Gate park, and relief work 10
we'll started. All cities In CaIifor.
MIA are subscribing literally to the
fund for relief.