The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1906-04-20
FRISCO IS TOTALLY RUINED
Three Hundred Thousand People Huddled in
Parks and Open Spaces, Without Food, Lit
tie Clothing, Or Shelter Bread Selling at a
Dollar a Loaf Government Rushes Relief.

by the devastation. and with the fail
rue died the last hope of saving any
part Of San Francisco, unless the flames
should die out Of themselves through
lack Of material.
Driven Before the Flames.
The inhabitants are nocking to the
ferries, to the parks, to the military
reservations and to the suburbs. Resi-
dents of the hillsides in the central por-
tion of San Francisco seemingly were
safe from the roaring furnace that was
consuming the business section. They
watched the towering mounds Of flames
and speculatcd as to the extent OF the
territory that was doomed.
Suddenly there was a whispered alarm
mp and down tho long line OF watchers,
and they buried away to drag cloth
ing, cooking utensils and scant proyi-
sions through the streets From Grant
avenue the procession moved westward
Men and women dragged trunks, packed
huge bundles OF blankets, boxes Of pro-
visions everything they could lay their
hands on quickly. Wagons could not
be hired except BY paying the most ex-
tortionate prices.
The people are calm. stunned. They
seem not to realize the extent Of the
calamity.
Food Shortage Threatened
The Preside reservation, the vast
Richmond district Of thousands OF acres,
Golden Gate park and the surrounding
hills, resemble one vast circus ground.
Tents and improyised coverings have
been erected everywhere, fire places built
in the srteets, beds and mattresses
thrown down all over the section. The
people thus situated are philosophical.
But there is the one great danger
for the homeless, that IS that the food
supply will run out. Every grocery in
San Francisco has been taken by the
authorities and each family is being
sold only one article at time In many
places the police and military prohibit
overcharging
Possibility Of famine is already pre-.
senting its hideous face At best the
city never carried more than three days
supply OF provision and food. and now
with the Wholesale districts and ware
houses wiped out, there is shortage OF
food already Prices yesterday were In
most instances more tIinn trebled.
Reports were received that numerous
men caught in the act of looting had
been shot. The military Is unusually
strict in the enforcement OF the order
10 shoot all looters. Ose man on Mar.
ket street who was found digging in
the ruins Of a iewelry shop, was dis.
covered BY naval reserve man and
fired upon three times. The fellow then
sought safety in flight, but the reserve
man brought him down by running 1t
bayonet through him. The bodies Of
three thieves were found living in the
streets on the south side yesterday.
It Is impossible to verify the many
reports Of shooting that are coming to
the press representatives. Concerted ae-
tion Of any kind in fact is out of the
question and almost every official il
acting on bis own responsibility, it be.
ing physical inpossibiity to com.
mnnicatc with superior authorities.
Best Citizens Net Disnayed.
San Francisco is not discouraged. It's
best and highest class alleady has be-
gun 10 pain Tor restoration and to care
for the stricken ones, and the relief
will be immediate and effective. Total
subscriptions of $1s0,00O were announe.
ed last night. Arrangements were made
for the immediate relief Of the needy.
Free transportation will be provided by
the South Pacific railroad to destitute
persons desiring TO 90 to interior
points.
Last night, for the first time, direct
telegraphic communication was re-estab.
lished between San Fransco and the
outside world.
BY the most energetic efforts in the
face OF tho rrent obstacles the Postal
Telegraph company restored one Of It's
shattered lines and its managers are
hopeful Of bringing back its service to
normal in a day on two.