The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-04-22
WRITHED LIKE SNAKES
Great Buildings Rocked by the Power
full Earthquake. L..


full Earthquake. .>.
Los Angeles, April 21.-A thrilling
story of the San Francisco disaster is
told by DR.. Ernest W. Fleming of this
city who returned from Frisco today.
81 was sleeping on the third floor of
the hotel, said DR.. Fleming, "when the
first shock occurred. An earthquake
in San Francisco was no new sensation
to me. / was there in 1868, boy 10
years old, when the first great earth
quake came. But that was a gentle
rocking of a cradle to the one of We'd
nesday. - ~ go
81 awoke to the grooming of timbers
the grinding, creaking sound, then came
the roaring street. Plastering and wall
decorations fell. The sensation was as
tho the buildings were stretching and
writhing like snakes. The darkness
was intense.
Hears Women's Shrieks.
"Shrieks of women, higher, shriller
than that Of the creaking timbers cut
scrambled toward the door.
1.-The twisting and writhing appeared
to increase. The air was oppressive
| seemed to be saying to myself will it
never, never stop. | wrenched the lock
the door of the room swung back
against my shoulder. Just then the
building seemed to brea the, stagger and
right itself. =
"But l fled from that building as
from falling wall. Il could not be
ieve that it could endure the shock
and still stand. The next I remember
the unholy appearance of half hundred
man clad in ma jamaS-anH less
'AThe women were in their night
robes, they made a better appearance
than the men. The street was a rain
bow of colors in the early morning
light. There was every stripe and hue
Of raiment never intended to be seen
outside the boudoir. I looked at a man
at my. side; he was laughing at me
Then for the first time I became aware
thatfI was in pajamas myself. I turned
and fed baeksto my room. There
dressed, packed my grip and shastene'
back to the street. 1919 -
"All the big buildings on Market
street, toward the ferry, were standing
but I marked four separate fires. ! Tht
fronts of the small buildings had falle,
out into the streets and at some places
the debris had broken thru the side
walk into cellars.
81 noticed two women near me. They
were apparently without escort. Ont
said to the other what wouldn t give
to be back in Los Angeles again.
HThat awakened a kindred feeling
and [ proffered my assistance. | ,pu
my overcoat on the steps Of building
and told them to sit there.
Sees Huge Buildings Fall.
"In less than two minutes those step
appeared to pitch forward, to be hyin!
at me- The grooming and Wrlthlns
started afresh.
WBut | was Just stunned and stoo'
there in the street with debris falling
about ne. 1t seemed the natural thing
for the tops of buildings to careen owe
and for fronts to. fall out. II Go no
even recall that the women screamed.
UThe street gave convulsive shud
der and the buildings somehow rlghte'
themselves again. thought they ha'
crashed together above my head. IN
two women arose and started to Walk
7 followed in kind of aimless sor
of way. 80. ...-,.... j, ri -
Flames Grow Brighter. p
"The street was filed with movin;
things again. The rainbow ralment dis
appeared and all were clothed in stree
clothes Everyone was walking, bu
| there was no confusion. We did ano
even seem in hurry. Down Marke
street the flames were growing brighter
eve walked with our luggage to tn
| St. Francis hotel. Fires were burnln
down toward the ferry, .but.the fire &c ee
partment had turned out. We had fat
in the fire department.
HSoon | became aware that squad
of soldiers were patrolhng the stree
1t appeared perfectly natural. | q
not think | wondered why they wer
there. ~, ~s
Some Try to Joke.
"Men and women were all about u
We looked at each other and talket
even tried lamety to joke. But ever
few minutes CONCLUSIVE %qulver sweT
thru the city. The others seemed t
be shiverlng.S as - -
II noticed that the eyes of the me
and women were rolling restlessl,
Their tones were pitched high.
1 seemed to CRATE on my nerves. Then
fell to wondering whether / was tall
ing shrilly, too.
/ q Invent to grocery without
front and bought few supplies
things that would make cold luncl
The grocer did mot even overcharge m
He was particular to. give me the rigl
change.
| ".The soldiers came and told us
move on. It seemed the natural thin
!. to do. By this time the fire was cree
ing dangerously close. We woul
have walked to the ferry. We tried
son score of streets, but that wall (
fire was always there. It seemed
/, creep across in front of us. 8
i Soldiers Ordered to Shoot.
"And in front of the fire alwa,
. walked the soldiers A number Of tim
I hired express wagons. We would III
sidewalk. Tn not a single instan,
were we charged more. than a, reaso
Z able price for the ride.
4 ssOnce we loitered until the soldie
{. came up. A rough fellow who he
j been standing by my. side tried to da