davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1906-04-24
LONG USED TO
EARTHQUAKES
Golden Gate Metropolis Has
Been Shaken Often
In the Past.
PRESENT WORST EVER KNOWN
Some of the Skyscrapers and Other
Buildings Destroyed = Magnificent
City Hall Ia Ruins-Fires Ar
rested by Dynamite Earth-
quake Of 1868 Described
by Mark Twain.
PRESENT WORST EVER KNOWN

"HE recent disastrous earthquake
IS extending over SO large part
81 OF the Pacific coast region and
wrecking such an extensive
section of the city of San Francisco
was not the first Of these catastrophes
known in the western metropolis,
though by all odds the most damaging.
For many years the municipal au-
thorities refused to permit tall build
ings in the city because of the fear of
earthquakes. several of which had al
ready been experienced. Finally the
Introduction was removed, however,
and a number of skyscrapers resulted.
Prior to 1890 there was hardly a
building in excess of five stories and
only d few of that height. Today there
is one eighteen stories high and quite
number from twelve to fourteen
stories
In the spring of 1898, about 10 o'clock
one night, the city had seismic shock
that put to test its high structures. 1t
was the worst earthquake since 1865,
when for eight or nine blocks on the
main street (MarkeD the ground was
cracked open several inches.
In the upheaval of 1898 the tall build
ings were given fearful shaking, and
some of their occupants We're made
dizzy and sick, The structures were
uninjured, and ever since that time
there has not been so much question
of the safety of high buildings of mod
ern construction-that is, buildings OF
structural iron frame and facings OF
pressed brick, terra Gotta or stone.
1t was NJ. H. De Young, the proprie-
tor and editor of the Chronicle, who
was the pioneer III this respect. He
met with opposition from the munich
pal authorities fourteen years ago when
he decided to erect u ten story house
for his newspaper. 1t was believed to
be dangerous undertaking because OF
the earthquake fear, but Mr.. De Young
won out and thereby set an example OF
enterprise to other wealthy men who
have since built more tall buildings
For instance, d. 0. Mills, the New
York banker, who owns a great dea
of San Francisco property, has one OF
the tallest and finest structures In the
city.
Claus Spreckels. known Throughout
the country as the sugar king and ths
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1906-04-24

From 700 to 1000 lives are estimated
TO have been lost, and $4,000, 900 Of
property destroyed.
Earthquake shocks broke the water
mans, so that there were no means of
combating the flames.
Dynamite was used to blow down
structures. in hope of checking the flames
General Funston was instructed to
detail troops for patrol duty and put an
end.to the depredations OF thieves.
The effect of the disturbance was fell
all the way across the continent and was
also noted in Austria.
Santa Rosa, one of the prettiest cities
in California. situated 81 miles north OF
San Francisco. is total wreck ,na l
600 persons are reported home eSS l
is feared the loss If life Is heavy.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1906-04-24


Presid nj Roosevelt has issued an APP
peal for aid for the earthquake sufferers.
the distribution to be made through the
American Red Cross Society.
Congress promptly appropriated Sa.-
600. 900 for the relief of the California
sufferers.
Steps already have been taken to re-
move the earthquake FIRE debris prepara-
tory to rebuilding.
Refugees estimate the number of dead
in San Francisco at between 1000 and
1000. and the property loss as high as
$500. 900, 600
Fourteen men. suspected of attempted
robbery nrssr the mint. were killed by
solder
keheI Is l,ssng rushed from all SECTIONS
of the cou .trv The United Il stes steel
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1906-04-24
Stricken City Long Permeated
With an Air Of
Romance.
IN THE DAYS OF vIdILANTE
How the Metropolis Of California Was
Pmged Of Disorder-Lynching of
Casey-The Days Of the Forty
niners-Town Depopulat-
ed by the Rush of
Cold Seekers.

~AN FRANCISCO, the earthquake
stricken city, has long been per-
~ meated with an air of romance
and adventure. Nowhere may
one turn without being reminded Of
the legends that have been woven
around the forty-niners and their i'm
mediate followers The names of the
streets and of the business blocks, such
as Kearney, Suffer, Montgomery, Du-
pont, Flood, Croker and Sharon, bring
to the mind of the visitor long forgot
ten stories of riot or adventure and OF
fortunes whose yastness once excited
his wondoS or made him incredulous.
The site of the city was first visited
by Europeans In 1863. and In 1775 Blu
careli ordered a fort, presidlo and mis-
sion founded on the bay. One year
later. the year of the Declaration of
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1906-04-24

tel erected by Mrs. Herman Oelrichs
on fashionable Mob hill. Mrs. Oelrichs,
who Is daughter of the late Senator
Fair, has shown fine taste In the ar
chitectural plans of Fairmont, the ap-
propriate name of the new hotel. Seen
from the bay this structure. with Its
classic outlines, makes the beholder
think OF a Greek temple. White and
graceful. 1t looms above the busy mar
ket places, the great wholesale district.
the crowded business section and pic
turesque Chinatown. which, by the
way. is fast disappearing owing to the
encroachments Of commerce and the
dwipdlipg Of the Chinese population.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1906-04-24

richest San Franciscan, owns build
ing seventeen stories high, commonly
known as the Call building. On three
Of the corner sites, where Third street
intersects Market, is located the great
Spreckels building, the home OF me
Call; the De Young building, the home
of the Chronicle, and the Hearst build
ing, occupied by the Examiner. the
three great Pacific coast newspapers
having contributed handsomely to the
building development of San Francisco
in recent years. The city now has it,
share of tai buildings, one being eight
ee- stories in height The major part
= tiA4i are eight, ten and twelve ~
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1906-04-24

/ The Masons. woodmen and other or
ders are contributing largely.
Americans IN London have raised
$I2. 500.
An insurance expert estimates the loss
at 5000. 600. 900, while others adhere to
figures approximating $500. GOO. 900.
In order to avoid conflict of orders,
the Federal military authorities have
been pat in absolute control.
Mrs. Hugh Crum whose real estate was
destroyed, win divide $4,000 in banl
with the relief committee.
Nothing bur a cavern remains where
Chinatown stood. and hundreds of Mon
golians are believed to have persisted
there.
The tremors from the earthquake are
shown TO have travelled around the world
Ave times.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1906-04-24

from the bay back was almost COM
pletely wrecked.
The most conspicuous building In
San Francisco, the city hall, is almost
totally ruined. 1t cost from 100000
to $1,000, 900. took twenty-five years In
construction and was surmounted by
a dome 1872 feet high. 1t was thought
to be very solidly constructed. being
built substantially Of brick. with the
walls covered by cement. The interior
of the dome was decorated with ex-
pensive marbles taken from the Pa
cific coast mountains.
Another very fine building, which
cost over S5,O00.000, is the splendid ho-
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1906-04-24

CORPORATION. the standard Oil Company
and Audrw Carnegie gave $4,000 each;
President Roosevelt. Si,ooo. and an IN
identified man Sa5. 600 through Mayor
Mcclellan, Of New York.
More than 100 inmates Of the Asylum
Tor the Insane at Santa Clara were killed.
In the Latin quarter. on Telegraph
Hill. the water supply being exhausted,
number of Italians fought the fire with
red wine.
Religious services were held on Sum
day on steps Of shattered churches. IN
parks and in cemeteries, without distinc-
ton as to creed
The reunion of lost members of fami-
lies furnished many pathetic scenes.
Oltowa. Ontario. has sent 500. 900 for
the relief o. the sufferers.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1906-04-24

Br ev. a town Of about 500 popala-
on. 40 miles south Of Los Angeles,
was practically destroyed.
The property loss in Alameda, which
is across the San Francisco bay from San
Francisco. is put at 100000.
Messages of sympathy soon began to
pour in on Mayor Schmitz. meetings
being held in various cities and aid
pledged.
Boston merchants promptly called a
meeting and telegrapcd S2s,ooo as a
starter.
At Washington the news aroused the
greatest interest and the War Depart
ment al oncr ordered the usr of tents to
sheIte th hoil.
A IF liz &. niiDg IN
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1906-04-24
SAN FRANJlSJO NEARLY
DESTROYED.
Many Other Cities Greatly
Damaged.

The city of San Francisco was en-
Wednesday morning last visited by three
shocks of earthquake. greatly damaging
MANY buildings, and the collapse Of tn So
struc,us was followed by sweeping
co fl igration which destroyed the great
er psrt of this magniieent city
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1906-04-24

lust reeeryed. a lot Boss Ste Ranges.
81 which will b, cold cb ap. ard ART feo
nne. YESTERDAY Il CO..
Mar. Is. South CRarles ~
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1906-04-24

American Eiwo,d f.nsarg ,eSt
The Washington times., 1906-05-27

ed the possibility of a Standard Oil
Company or dreamed of the inn
mense riches that were to be his.
and Miss Spelman were classmates
and sweethearts. Their marriage
was romance, a love affair, and
has remained the same ever since
1t is perhaps the one redeemine
trait of the Oh Kings life that the
suggestion of marital infidelity has
never touched it.
Many Of his fellow-millionaires
have found backing the stage ca
reer of pretty footlight favorites a
diversion, but all his unpopularity
has never unearthed against Roeke-
feller a suggestion of any devia-
tions from the path of right deal
ings in his home relations.
The Washington times., 1906-05-27

gowned women one sees. Another was
impressed With the endless rows Of sur.
face and elevated cars. another with the
bewil' sring noise and confusion. Others
noted the electrical advertising signs
and ot..ers the crowds Of people always
on a rush. One man felt that the NEST
lasting impression Of every one must
be that all New Yorkers were contInu-
ousiy reading newspapers and for the
time being we're oblvious 70 the pres
enee Of another human being.
Judge William ]. Gaynor has not AL
ways been a resident OF BROOKLYN al
though his arrival there dates back a
good many years. Upon g recent oce Isi On
ne was asked his frst Impressions Of
New York. and good naturedly replied.
We'll, my first Impressions Of New
York got when a very small boy. 7
was brought down from our farm IN
cneida county TO see my brother. who
was a soldier in the drill camp on
Staten Island and about to go 10 the
front We rode down Broadway on top
Of a stage coach. and I was overcome
with wonder. had left the farm before
TO be taken to oriskany. the village. and
Rome. the city. but here was an endless
eonglomeration OF human beings. houses
and strife. was glad TO get back to the
peaoe Of the farm. How dear everything
there was to me- But fate brought me
back TO the great city again ten or
twelve years later"
The Washington times., 1906-05-27
HE LOCATES THE SKIPS

~ Q YOU know what Skip 10
cater" is7 70 must be con-
Il fessed that IL is a rather difh-
cut question. and yet no doubt
the credit man OF an instaliment nouss
might Re able 10 answer #
IL was only the otter day that an sd-
vertisement appeared IN a newspsuer
which read something Ike this: skin
locator salary or Commission" The ad-
dress was given. and II was Chicago
address at thst. A loan agent who has
done business in Chicago FOR several
years knets At once what a skip To-
cater" was
This IS TIE wav he explained Il: "A
skip IS man who runs away without
paying his bills He may owe money TO
a loan agent he may be in arrears on
furniture tr jevelry purcha sed OF an in
stalDent house. He leaves hurriedly
and does not leave his address behinl
him The people he ewes try 20 an3
him Taere IS where the skip locater'
comes tn.
The skip locater then is tracer Of
lost persons. His business is To look
up people whO have skipped out. and as
may be imagined IL is a kind OF detec-
tive work II takes shrewd man With
keen mind TO do the work There are
some men in Chicago who do nothing
else but this sort Of work. and they
make good money at il Oth>r men
work at II only from time 10 time
Loan agents employ them frequently 10
discover the whereabouts Of sertain
men who have absconded.
There are amateurs in this line Of
business. II vas but a week or so ago
that 3 man came to me and asked me
What I would give him for the names
and addresses OF a couple OF skips. I
inquired about them and when he told
me little Of the history OF the men I
told him I would give him IS apiece. II
Stems that he with two companions had
gone TO a town in Ohio. where all three
got work The man who owed me the
most had left Chicago hurriediy and
had deserted his family.
The three men worked together for
some time ami then duarreld- One Of
them came back 10 Chicago and knowing
that the other two owed me ne came 70
see what l would give for information
Loan agents usually pay s. for the ad-
dress OF A skip and take the risk Of ever
getting anything out OF the bad debt.
some pay the informant a commission
on what is collected later on. After a
man once leaves the State II Is a hard
matter 10 collect from him and usually
costs about as much as collection
amounts % Some men. however. pay up
when they have once been discovered -
So much for the loan agents side Of the
"skip Iocaterr question.
J. l. WoOlson. credit man for Lofts
Brothers, over on state street. added 10
the foregoing information: a skip To-
cater. said Mr.. Woolson. '1s a graduate
from the collection department. He IS
usually a shrewd fellow; IN reality a
sort OF amateur detective. He Is a man
who is able to follow a clue; a person
who has a keen mind and takes an in
terest in matching his brains against
persons who are trying to cheat the firm
Cor which he works. There are many men
The Washington times., 1906-05-27

Mrs. Roc.Sefeller's quiet life has
agreed with her. Her refusal to
enter the rvhirl of the world has
been wise she is sixfy-6se, but
does not look her years. She is
short and rather plump. Her hair
is dark, and her brown eyes are
full of life and fire. She is very
well read, and among the close cir
Gle of relatives and friends who
have come into her life. she is held
in deepest love and admiration.
John d. remains a hero 10 this
woman. She knows only his vir-
tues, none of his faults, and refuses
TO believe him the monster of
avarice he has, been pictured. 10
her he is still the same man who
won her way back in the sixties.
and those who as@ail him do not
understand him, IS her creed.
The Washington times., 1906-05-27

and one Of the most interesting in
fants in the world, John d. Rocke-
feller, the Sd.
Like her mother-in-law, the wife
OF the second John d. Rockefeller
cares little for society. In this re-
speet she Is more a Rockefeller than
an Aidrich. No good photograph
of her is known TO be extant, ex-
cept the snapshot which illustf tes
this article
The oldest of the three daugh-
ters of the oil magnate is Mrs.
Charles Strong. She has been an
invalid for many years. and is now
abroad in Europe seeking health
at the hands of the foremost spec
ialists of the old country. John
d. has been quoted as saying that
he would gladly give ten million
dollars to the man who could bring
The Washington times., 1906-05-27

GRAT-HAIRED New lorker re-
N Gently remarked that he had
L \ one reason for regretting hav-
ing been born and bred IN New
York city-he could never experience the
thrill that must animate the breast OF
the out-of-town man who sets eyes on
the metropolis for the first time. The
impressions of the visitors to New York
are many. and vary according to the
section OF the country from which they
come. Those from other large cities do
not. OF course. feel the same sensation
OF bewilder:nent as do those from the
rural districts
New Yorl1ers are proud OF their city
and cannot be convinced there Is an
otheF equal TO Il on earth; but the rows
and rows OF attached houses and streets
made ugly by elevated railroads DO not
present an alluring picture TO the resi-
dent OF the small town, with fits beau
tiful detached houses. surrounded by
well-kept lawns. magnificent shade trees
and flower gardens. ANY resident Of
New York would be amazed At the as
sections Of strangers that Gotham Is the
lonesomest spot on earth TO them. And
the New Yorker asks: How can II be
lonesome, with Its enormous popula-
ton. its many and varied amusements?''
Let the New Yorker put himself In the
place of the stranger.
Perhaps upon the strangers arrival
he may attend one Of the crowded the
aters. and In the entire th~ong will not
see one familiar face 70 nod a greeting.
Let him walk along the streets, with
their hurrying, bustlins crowds, and he
will not hear one familiar voice. Let
him enter any Of the crowded restau-
rants. and he will not see single .ae-
quaintanee. Impossible to be lonesome
here, you say? Well, you have never
expe-itneed this particular sensation OF
being an entire stranger among 1900 600
people, and. therefore. cannot under
stand how IT is worse than being alone
In a barren wilderness
Several persons who are now residents
OF New York. but who formerly lived in
other places. were asked what Il was
that left the most lasting impression
upon the occasion of their first visit
here. One, young lad just ou4 Of col
lege. said IT was the handsome faces
and figures Of the thousands of we'll
The Washington times., 1906-05-27

family, who have Just
. been getting acquainted with the
camera.
There is no obvious reason why
they should not have done so long
ago, for the fifteen dollar per dozen
that star photographers charge
should not be any considerable
item TO the kin of the worlds rich
est man.
But the Rockefeller aversion to
publicity is not confined to the head
Of the family. 1t is equally strong
in Mrs. John d. Rockefeller, Mrs.
John D. Rockefeller, jr, the wife
of her son; Mrs. T. ParmIee Prem
tice, and Mrs. Charles Strong.
daughters of the head Of the Stand
ard Oil Company.
That Is why the accompanying
collection of photographs is the
first to be printed of four women
who are the closest kin Of the most
talked about man In the United
States today.
Mrs. Rockefeller makes no secret
Of the fact that she went for fifty
years without having a picture
taken. A lovable, gentle Christian
woman, a devoted wife and mother,
she has taken the position that is
now getting a bit old fashioned,
but seems pretty good doctrine, any
way, that a woman's place IS in
her home circle. and the more rare
ly she goes out Of Il the better both
for herself and her loved ones.
In all the thousand and one
stories that have been written.
about the Oil King, It is a signiA-
can't fact that there have been no
pictures of his wife. Now It Is only
in Difference to the wishes OF some
younger members of the family
that she has broken long standing
rule and had a picture taken.
The Washington times., 1906-05-27

who become collectors by chance They
take up the work simply as a means Of
earning livelihood during a little period
OF hard tines There are others how
ever. who go into the work With a de-
termination TO make ie a business
hrm soon finds out which Of its
ceheetors are good ones. 1t will soon
become apparent that here and there is
man who is worth something to his
nFH- II man skips out or moves away
tnis collector searches for him and dnds
him. BY and by he demonstrates that he
would make a good skip locator and thu
first thing he knows he has been taken
from the collection department ana has
become very valuable man 20 his hrn.
A good skip locator will get a saIs-,, ~
SO per month, be allowed an EXPENSE ar
&C unit OF AT least 81 Per day and get 1
commission on the money collected and.
In fact. in short time the skip locator
VIII be getting & salary that will make
the average Office man green with envy.
Take firm Ike ours where we have
about 1000 city accounts and Il IS aeces-
sary that we keep right after some OF
our people all the time II we DO not
want 10 lose track OF them ana BE con
siderable out or pocket IN Chicago
force Of habit Il Il not an easy matter
70 keep trace OF our customers. They
are careless about leaving their ad-
dresses when they move. They 90 not
mean any harm. but forget to say where
they are moving When TIE collector
arrives bright and early some morning
he finds a new family in the fiat or cot
tage- No one seems TO know where the
former occupants OF the premises have
gone Then Il takes some detective work
10 discover them.
An installment house prepares FOR
just such circumstances Take some Of
the State street stores where they have
open accounts and Il IS hard matter
for them % trace up skips. for they do
not so into the matter as we do We
are prepared for szips. for we figure that
there will be about 50 many every year
who VIII get out Of positions. have runs
OF hard luck. and skip owing US money.
50 when We open an account with q Gus
TONER we learn all we can about him
We find out where he was born. where
his relatives live end what he has been
doing and what he is doing az the time
We get a pretty good history OF his
case and then when he skips We are
enabled 70 trace him through relatives
and friends.
There Is one thing that a man can
never get away from and that Is his
BIRTH lsee-that is 20 say. II 4. Is a small
town. or course. II MAI Is born m
Chicago. New York, OF sol1e big city
like that. II Is different. but the man
from the small town can never get so
far away from his Birthplace that some
one there viii not know where he IS.
That Is one way we have OF keeping
track OF skips- We always send 10 his
home town and some one viii turn up
who knows where he IS. II seldom fails.
When a customer skips out we send
tracers after him, put the skip locator
on his track and re Is pretty apt TO be
found In a short time. I hare good
man In my department who devotes an
his time TO this sort OF work
The Washington times., 1906-05-27
; . .HAV
? ooAND . .

RST SET of photographs published women of John D.
Rockefeers family show that his wife daughters
more kindly featured than the Oil King John D. Roce
ler lovable woman of domestic habits cares little for wealth
nothing for society bu deeply religious Her daughternaw the
wife of John D. b equally domestic Mrs Prentice and Mrs
Strong Retiring traits have kept them away from the camera 50 that
the accompanying pictures will give people their first idea of how
look the closest feminine kin of the richest talked of and probably
most hated man in the United States
The Washington times., 1906-05-27
Calls Cleveland Her Home.

Mrs. Rockefeller's most marked
trait is her domesticity. Although
she has half a dozen residences, she
counts Cleveland her home, and Is
never so happy as when there. The
climate of Tarrytown, where is To-
Gated the mansion 'Pocantico