Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1906-04-26

q ignite the splendid pile. Thousands {
!, people watched the hungry tongues c
b fame licking the stone walls. At firf
!. no impression was made, but suddenl
:. there was o cracking Of glass and a
|. entrance was effected. The interlo
4 furnishings Of the fourth floor wer
I the first to go. Then, as though b
' magic, smoke issued from the top o
the dome This was followed by
! most spectacular illumination. Tn
. round windows Of the dome shoni
. like so many full moons; they burs
and gave vent to long waving stream
ers Of flame. The great structure
which had withstood the forces Of thu
earth appeared doomed to fall a prey
to fire. After O while, however, thu
light grew less intense and the flames
anding nothing more to consume
gradually went out, leaving the build.
ing standing, but completely Quilted.
Still nearing the bay, the waters Of
which did the fremen good service,
along the docks, the FIRE took the
Rialto building, q handsome sky
scraaper, and converted scores Of solid
business blocks into smoldering piles
Of bricks
Banks and commercial houses, sup
posed to be 6reproof though not Of
modern built, burned quickly and the
roar Of the flames could be heard even
on the hills which were out Of the
danger zone. Here many thousands
Of people congregated and witnessed
the awful scene. Great masses Of
flame rose high in the heavens or
rushed down some narrow street,
Joining midway between the ENdeb
walks and making a horizontal Chin
ney Of the former passageways.
At 9 o'clock Wednesday morning a
thousand men from the Preside ar
rived down town to patrol the city
streets. The thirteenth infantry, 1000
strong arrived from Angel Island a
little later and W ent on patrol duty
at once. The soldiers have been or.
dered to shoot down thieves caught
In the act of robhlng the cead and
to guard with their lives the millions
Of dollors worth Of property which
has been placed in the streets, that
1t may escape the rayages Of the
flames. The first California artillery,
200 strong, two companies, have been
detailed to patrol duty on Ellis strees.
San Francisco, April 19.-San Fran.
cisco was practically wrecked by earth.
quake at $40 Wednesday morning.
The shock lasted three minutes, thou
sands Of buildings were damaged and
destroyed The loss Of life Is reported
to be great. All wires with the excep- |
ton Of one, are gone The city hall,
costing 100000, is in ruins. Modern |
buildings suffered less than brick and
frame.
Terror and excitement Is indescri.
able. Most Of the people, asleep, were
suddenly aroused and rushed into the
streets, undressed Buildings swayed
md crashed, burying occupants. Panic
n down town hotels Lick house was
BADLY damaged but no loss Of life ia
'eported there. The palace and st.
Francis hotels stood the shock. People
locked to. the telegraph ofiice 10 send
messages to friends and were frantic
BECAUSE there were no wlrea The
'reatest damage to buildings was done
outh Of Market street where there
IRE mostly frame buildings and tene.
nent houses, Fires occurred in every
lock Of that district.
When the first shock occurred at
:15 a, m, most Of the population
we're In bed and many lodging houses
with every occupant. There
Eas no warning Of the awful catas-
rophe. First came q slight shock fol-
owcd almost Immediately by a second {
nd then the great shock that sent {
swaying and tdmblIng, Fire l
roke out Immediately. Every able
odied man who could be pressed into I
ervice was put to work rescuing the
tctims. Panic seized most Of. the I
eopIe and they rushed frantically t
bout Toward the Ferry building
here was q rush Of those fleeing to I
ross the bay. Few carried any effects I
nd some were hardly dressed. The
lreets were filled Immediately with
anicstricken people and the frequently I
ccurring shocks sent them into I'm.
aasoning panic. Fires lighted up the .
y in every direction IN the breaking \
AVN. In the business district devasta, Y
on met the eye on every hand. It Il
said that two ships at anchor in the /
" were sunk. v
Gen. Funston realized that stern
easures were necessary and gave or G
~ that hooters were to Be shot at n
ght -Four men were summarIly ex- 4
uted before 3 O'Clock wednesday az. v
moon. AZ a meeting Of 50 citizens
He'd BY the mayor Il was announced
al 400 tentn wiuuld n nltrhaa a,