The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-04-19
THE DESTRUCTION
 OF SAN FRANCISCO

Oakland, Cal. Aprii lc.--1sai tHuoa and fire today have caused the greatest calamity California has ever known. In San Francisco alone 1t is estimated that hundreds of persons have perished while as many more arc sunering IIo'n injuries. The entire business portion of the city is in ruins and the names which, owing to lack of water cannot be checked. except by the piowihg up with dynamite of buildings in thelr path are still sweeping through the city. It is utterly impossible at pres ent to estimate the property loss, TOT the extent of the confiagration cannot be told until the fire has burned hseif out.
 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 down town streets are patroll- ed by cavalry and infantry. Details or troops are also guarding the banks. Most of the principal buildings have already been destroyed and oelers are in imminent danger.
 Over all the scene of desolation hangs a dense pail of smoke. Communica- ton with outside towns is almost en- tirely cut off, but the report comes from Palo Alto that all but one of the buildings of the Leland Stanford, Jr.. University have been wrecked and that the splendid memorial church. one of the finest structures of it's kind in the world Is mass of ruins. One stud ent Is known to have lost his life.
 In Oakland five persons were killed. San Jose and Sacramento, Berkeley, Alameda and other places heard from suffered severely. but report no loss of life.
 EARTHQUAKE SHOCK
 FIRST FELT AT 5,I5.
 The dreadful earthquake shock came without warning at precisely 5:13 o'clock this morning, its motion appar- ently being from east to west At first the upheaval of the earth was gradual, but in a few seconds 1t tn- creased in intensity. Chimneys began to fall and buildings to crack, tottering on their foundations. People became panic stricken and rushed into the streets, most of them in their night at tire. They were met by showers of fall ing buildings, bricks cornices and walls Many were instantly crushed to death, while others were dreadfully mangled. Those who remained indoors generally escaped with their lives, though scores were hit by detached plaster, pictures and articles thrown to the floor by the shock It is believed that. more or less loss was sustained by nearly every family in the city.
 l the strain better than brick buildings. few of them being badly damaged The big eleven story Monadnock office build ing in course of construction adjoining the Palace Hotel was an exception. however, its rear walls collapsing and many cracks being made across its front.
 Some of the docks and freight sheds along the water front slid into the bay. Deep Assures opened in the fill- ed in ground near the shore and the union ferry depot was irreparably in jured. It's high tower still stands, but will have to be torn down.
 A portion of the new city hall. which cost more than S7,00O.O .O0O, collapsed. the roof sliding into the court yard and the smaller towers tumbltng down, with the great dome being moved. but not falling.
 The postoffice. one of the finest in the United States, was badly shatter- ed
 THE VALENCIA HOTEL
 SINKS INTO BASEMENT.
 The Valencia Hotel, q four-story wooden building. sank into the basN- ment, a pile Of splintered timbers, un. der which were pinned many dead and dying occupants 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- eously in many places. The fire de. partment promptly responded to the first calls for aid but 1t was found that the water mains had been render ed useless by the underground move ment Famed by a light breeze, the flames quickly spread and soon many blocks were seen to be doomed. Then dynamiting was resorted to and the sound of frequent explosions added to the terror of the people.
 All efforts to stay the fire. however, proved futile. The south side of Mar ket street from Ninth to the bay was soon ablaze, the fire covering belt two blocks wide On this, the main thoroughfare of the city. are located many of the finest edifices in the city, including the Grant, Parrott, Wood, "CalI" "EXaminer.' and Monadnock buildings the Palace and Grand Ho- tels and numerous wholesale houses.
 At the same time the commercial es-