The Globe-republican., 1906-04-26
Th6ee-Fourths Of the Beautiful Metropolis Of
California Destroyed by Earthquake
and Fire Which Followed
100000 PEOPLE ARE MADE HOMELESS
Business Building in the Down Town District Left Stand
ing--Extent Of Loss Of Life Unknown---People Of
the City Facing the Calamity With For
titude and Resignation

San Francisco, Calf. - San Fran
Isco was practically wrecked by earth
uake at $40 Wednesday morning.
The shock lasted three minutes, thou
ysands Of buildings were damaged and
destroyed The loss of life is reported
to be great. All wires with the excep-
tion of one, are gone. The city hall.
costing $7,000,0O0. 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
and crashed, burying occupants. Panic
In down town hotels. Lick house was
badly damaged but no loss Of life Is
reported there. The palace and st.
Francis hotels stood the shock. People
focked to the telegraph Office to send
messages to friends and were frantic
because there were no wires. The
greatest damage to buildings was done
SOUTH Of Market street where there
are mostly frame buildings and tene-
ment houses. Fires occurred in every
block Of that district.
When the first shock occurred at
e:15 a, m. most Of the% population
were in bed and many lodging houses
collapsed with every occupant. There
was no warning of the awful catas-
trophe. First came slight shock fol-
lowed almost Immediately by second
and then the great shock that sent
buildings swaying and tumbling. Fire
broke out Immediately. Every able
bodied man who could be pressed into
service was put to work rescuing the
victims. Panic seized most Of the
people and they rushed frantically
about. Toward the Ferry building
there was rush of those fleeing to
cross the bay. Few carried any effects
and some were hardly dressed. The
streets were filled Immediately with
panicstricken people and the frequently
occurring shocks sent them into un-
reasoning panic. Fires lighted up the
sky In every direction in the breaking
dawn. In the business district devastar
tion met the eye on every hand. 1t
Is said that two ships at anchor in the
bay we're sunk
San Francisco. CAL, : Thursday
dawned on scene of death and de-
struction. During the night the
flames had consumed many of the
city's finest structures and skipped in
a dozen directions to the residence
portions, They had made their way
over into the North Beach section
and springing anew to the south they
reached out along the shipping Sec
ton down to the bay shore, over the
hills and across toward Third and
Townsend streets. Warehouses, whole
sal l houses and manufacturing con-
Germs fell In their path. This COM
pleted the destruction of the entire
district known as the South of Mar
ket street." How far they are reach
ing to the south across the channel
cannot be told as this part Of the city
Is shut off. After darkness thous-
ands of the homeless were making
their way with their blankets and
scant provisions to Golden Gate Park
and the beach to find shelter. Those
in the homes on the hills just north
Of the Hayes Valley wrecked section