Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-05-17

things that we're almost beyond human
conception. The car tracks were twist
ed out of shape, houses tumbled
around in the most inconceivable
shapes, many of them standing only
against them. The people, all with a
dazed and bewildered look in their
faces, rushed here and there with all
kinds Of bundles. For instance saw
one old man and his wife walking
along. She had a few small bundles
and he was very carefully carrying a
coat hanger, but he had no coat on the
hanger nor on his back either. Anoth-
err woman that saw. with no bundles,
and apparently no clothes other than
her night robe and shawl, and in her
arms was great yellow cat.
Through the streets rushed horse
vehicles and automobiles, all to the
limit of their speed, and it is a wonder
that more people were not run down.
AS it was, saw no accidents of this
description. 1t seemed as though the
drivers must have been given an added
skill for their aid in the rescue work.
Stay in Park.
when we got to the park we
thought best to stay there with our
goods and be safe from any more
shocks. This we did until night when
we went down town, going this time
by another route. By doing this we
saw more of the wreck and horror.
Asphalt streets were like the waves Of
an ocean frozen, and in some places
there were great assures in them.
From some of the assures the precious
water SO badly needed for fighting the
monster fire, was gushing forth and be-
ing wasted in the sewers.
1--WE could not get very far down
town this time, as already the town
was under martial law, and we were
stopped by sentries. But we could get
within two blocks of the fire and it
was an awful sight, The sky was filled
with smoke and sparks upon which
was the red glare Of the flames. BY
this time they were dynamiting the
buildings and ever and anon there
would be an explosion that would
make the earth tremble, and everyone
being wrought up, would be startled
feeling for the instant that it was an
other earthquake.
| Down there near the fire | was
panied to see the poor people who had
been unable to obtain conveyances
and had taken what they could carry
out into the street, there to sit and
watch the greedy flames eat steadily
on towards, in many instances, all
their earthly possessions, bent on con
suming them.
Wires All Down.
I'VE then went back to the park
We of course had no place to stay but
out there under the trees, and with nc
bedding except such clothes as we
could get from our baggage. 1t was
not very pleasant, but it was the bes
we could do During this time we
could get no bread or even crackers
SO we got along with cookies ant
canned meat Water was very scarce
1t was the same way next day, Thurs
day, and as the first excitement begar
to wear off, our appetites began to as
sert themselves. But at that we were
/ thankful, for we had not been as I'm
fortunate as some by any means W.
We're camped close to an emergenc.
/ hospital, and all day and all night thu
automobiles were coming with the in
jured.
GAIL of this time was trying to flint
some way of communicating with you
to tell you of our safety. got SO man.
conflicting reports that did not know
what to do, but by Thursday evening
could not stand it any longer, an
thought that there must be some wa
to get out of town and reach you b.
; wire.
81 had heard that the wires wer
down at Oakland and again that the
!, were not, so / made for that place
Being unable to get conveyance t
the wharves. l walked, and hare
long walk it was. But made it ate
good deal of exertion, and carrie
two suit cases. l dared not leave Their
, as was sure that would not be abb
t to get back caught the last boa
, going that night, a government tug
' and had a view of the beautiful cit
in flames, from the bay.
xAyI, hMcpIIRG